Dog breeding in Switzerland: How to successfully register and manage your kennel
Dog breeding in Switzerland means responsibility, planning and consistent compliance with animal welfare regulations. Anyone who wants to register and successfully run a breeding operation must be familiar with legal principles such as the Animal Protection Act (TSchG) and the Animal Protection Ordinance (TSchV), clarify the cantonal requirements with the responsible veterinary office and implement practice-oriented standards for the health, socialization and delivery of puppies. At the same time, Swiss families, farmers and animal lovers now expect transparency, genetic health checks and clear contracts. This guide brings together the most important aspects from registration and breeding planning to the handover of puppies - with specific checklists, reference values and examples.
TL;DR - The most important points in brief
- Always clarify the start of breeding with the cantonal veterinary office: Obligation to register, any authorization for commercial activity and requirements for the breeding facility.
- Observe TSchG/TSchV: Cruel breeding is prohibited; the health, well-being and socialization of the dogs have top priority.
- In Switzerland, puppies must be chipped by a vet and registered in the AMICUS dog database within the first three months of life - but at the latest before being passed on to the new owner; buyers receive complete documentation.
- Solid breeding planning includes health checks (e.g. hips, elbows, eyes, heart depending on the breed), genetic diversity/relationships and documented litter breaks.
- Calculate with realistic orientation values: Vet, food, equipment, insurance and reserves for emergencies.
How is dog breeding registered correctly in Switzerland?
Before the first litter, the planned size should be clarified with the cantonal veterinary office. At the latest if the breeding could grow to a commercial scale (e.g. several litters per year), it is necessary to check whether a cantonal permit and recognized training (FBA) are required before breeding begins. In Switzerland, the cantons are responsible for enforcement practice. Therefore, the first point of contact is always the cantonal veterinary office of your own municipality or place of residence or business. They will clarify whether the planned dog breeding is considered a hobby with occasional litters or is to be classified as commercial - the latter may require a permit, additional expertise and regular inspections. Decisive factors include the number of breeding animals and litters, the regularity of sales and whether there is an intention to make a profit. The licensing thresholds are laid down in federal law; the cantons implement them and can stipulate additional requirements or stricter practices.
Practical tip: If breeding is planned under an association umbrella (e.g. with Swiss breeding regulations), check the regulations of the respective breed or umbrella organization at an early stage. Additional health requirements, litter registrations and checks are often stipulated.
What documents are typically required?
- Description of dog breeding in Switzerland (objective, breed, number of breeding animals).
- Proof of sufficient specialist knowledge; in the case of commercial breeding, formal proof in accordance with cantonal requirements.
- Husbandry and hygiene concept, litter and quarantine rooms, emergency plan (vet, 24/7 availability).
- Breeding regulations (if breeding club/FCI breed club), health programs and documents for parent animal selection.
What is the legal basis for breeders?
The Swiss Animal Welfare Act (TSchG) and the Animal Welfare Ordinance (TSchV) are authoritative. They stipulate that breeding objectives and methods must not impair the welfare of the animals. Cruel breeding is prohibited: This includes matings that promote health damage or pain - such as pronounced respiratory distress, oversized wrinkling, unstable joints or neurological defects. Breeders look for reliable evidence of health, hereditary risks and breed-specific examinations. In addition, cantonal regulations on licensing, inspections, enclosures, group composition and care apply.
Registration, identification and AMICUS
In Switzerland, dogs must be identified with a microchip and entered in the national AMICUS register. The entry is made by a veterinary practice. For breeders, this means that every puppy receives an identification tag and an AMICUS entry before being handed over; the handover is documented with a change of owner. At the same time, buyers register their dog with the municipality and - depending on the canton and municipality - pay the dog tax.
Commerciality and licensing requirement
Above a certain level, dog breeding in Switzerland requires a license. According to the Animal Welfare Ordinance and the FSVO's technical information, this is generally the case if more than 20 dogs are released per year or more than three litters of puppies are produced. From this point onwards, a cantonal permit and a recognized specialist non-professional training course (FBA) are required. The cantons enforce these requirements and can define additional requirements (e.g. controls, room concepts, conditions) - the cantonal veterinary office provides binding information. It is therefore recommended to discuss the planned scope with the veterinary office at an early stage and to record all requirements in writing.
Breeding planning: Combining health, genetics and ethics
Successful dog breeding in Switzerland is based on reliable health data, breed-specific examinations and a responsible genetics strategy. The goal is a functional, socially compatible and long-lived type of dog - not the extreme. Serious breeders document health and temperament, observe litter breaks and maintain the health of the bitches throughout the entire breeding cycle. Modern breeding work also takes into account the coefficient of inbreeding (COI), effective population size and the avoidance of close matings.
Health checks by breed
- Orthopaedics: hip dysplasia (HD), elbow dysplasia (ED), patella - depending on the breed, these tests are either mandatory or recommended.
- Eyes/heart: Ophthalmological examinations, cataract/CEA, heart ultrasound (e.g. for large or stressed breeds).
- Genetic panels: Breed-specific mutations (e.g. MDR1, DM, PRA variants) and blood typing if required.
- Airways/palate: Focus on free breathing and functional anatomy, especially in brachycephalic breeds.
- Traceable health results increase buyer confidence.
- Reduction of genetic risks and sustainable population development.
- Better planning of litter breaks, care and finances.
- Small gene pools in rare breeds require careful selection of breeding partners.
- Health evaluations and diagnostics cause ongoing costs.
- Trend characteristics (e.g. extreme coat colors) must never be at the expense of functionality.
Select stud dogs and secure studbook-relevant documents
For viable breeding, the stud dog combines health, genetic distance, performance characteristics and a stable temperament. Copies of the studbook excerpts, health results and - if usual in the club - licensing/conformation test are filed. The breeding contract sets out the stud fee, repeat coverage, how to deal with empty puppies and registration of the puppies. In the case of foreign stud dogs, import and stud book formalities must be prepared with the club.
Set up the kennel, accompany the pregnancy and raise the puppies
Rooms, hygiene and safety
- Litter and rearing room: Quiet, well ventilated, draught-free, with easy-care floor. Document cleaning and disinfection plan.
- Equipment: whelping box, heat source (safe), washable pads, scales, puppy fence, safe outdoor runs.
- Safety: Electrically protected, non-slip surfaces, childproof partitions, emergency telephone list (vet/emergency services).
Managing pregnancy and birth
- 1 Estimate time of mating by measuring progesterone and behavior; confirm pregnancy by ultrasound (approx. day 25-30).
- 2 Adjust diet: High-quality feed, increase as required; water always fresh; check body condition regularly.
- 3 Preparation for birth: keep a temperature chart, have a whelping bag ready, emergency plan and transport crate to hand.
- 4 After birth: rub puppies dry, allow them to lie down, check navel; monitor bitch for postpartum discharge and vitality.
Socialization and health prophylaxis of the puppies
- Weighing and documentation: Daily weight checks in the first few weeks; keep a development log.
- Deworming according to the veterinary schedule; initial vaccinations as recommended in practice (e.g. basic vaccination from approx. 8 weeks).
- Habituation: Everyday stimuli, gentle noises, different surfaces and brief positive encounters with people.
- Delivery at the earliest after appropriate maturity - legally a delivery from the 56th day (end of the 8th week of life) is permitted; in practice, depending on the breed and club specifications, delivery times of around 8-10 weeks have proven to be effective.
Finances, insurance and legally compliant delivery
A realistic calculation protects breeders and puppies: it prevents cost-cutting measures in the wrong place and ensures high-quality rearing. Reserves for emergencies, public liability insurance (e.g. cover of approx. CHF 3-10 million) and - depending on the scope - cover for loss of earnings in the event of prolonged illness of the breeding animal are recommended. Additional costs may arise in cantons with special regulations (e.g. listed breeds, training obligations).
Purchase contract, guarantees and documents on delivery
- Purchase contract with details of dog, parents, health results, vaccinations/deworming, AMICUS number, repurchase or redemption agreement.
- Health check/vaccination certificate, feeding plan, instructions for acclimatization; pedigree/extract from stud book for club-bred dogs.
- Transparent regulations on any defects, rights of withdrawal and how to deal with hereditary diseases detected at a later date (fair contractual arrangements).
Checklists and specific practical examples
Registration and preparation checklist
- 1 Contact the veterinary office; clarify notification/authorization requirements and list of documents.
- 2 Create breeding concept: Breeding goals, health program, litter planning (incl. litter breaks).
- 3 Set up the kennel: Rooms, hygiene concept, safety check; finalize material procurement.
- 4 Final check of parent animals: Health results complete? Assess genetic fit and COI.
- 5 Set up veterinary and emergency network; ensure 24/7 availability for the birth phase.
Example: Family breeding in the canton of Aargau
A young family is planning one litter per year with a medium-sized breed. After consultation with the veterinary office, breeding is carried out as a hobby, without the need for a license. The family sets up a separate litter room, attends breeding seminars, has both parents fully examined and keeps a digital litter diary. Puppies are delivered from the 8th-9th week, chipped, registered in AMICUS and handed over with a contract, vaccination certificate and feeding schedule. The costs vary, but remain within the calculated framework thanks to careful planning.
Example: Farm with working and farm dogs in the canton of Bern
A farm breeds robust, hard-driving dogs for the farm and herd. The farm agrees the breeding goal and usage profile, integrates character tests, performance tests and early familiarization with livestock. Depending on the scope, the farm clarifies the classification as commercial, implements visitor management for biosecurity reasons and documents the transfer to suitable owners with working ambitions. This strengthens animal welfare and functional efficiency.
Note: Dog breeding in Switzerland means combining legal obligations, animal welfare, genetics and transparent communication. Those who implement this consistently strengthen their own reputation and the health of the breed in the long term.
Common mistakes - and how to avoid them
- Unclear responsibilities: Different cantonal rules are checked too late. Solution: Early clarification with the veterinary office.
- Lack of reserves: Emergencies or caesarean sections are not budgeted for. Solution: Plan for financial cushion and insurance.
- Trend-oriented pairings: Optical extremes instead of function. Solution: Align breeding goals with animal welfare, avoid torture breeding.
- Lack of documentation: lack of health and development data. Solution: Keep a digital litter diary with records.
Conclusion: Responsible and successful dog breeding in Switzerland
Dog breeding in Switzerland is sustainable when law, ethics and practice are in balance. Anyone who registers breeding with the cantonal veterinary office at an early stage, consistently implements the requirements of the TSchV, pays attention to genetic diversity and breed-specific health checks and uses transparent contracts is laying a stable foundation. This results in healthy, social dogs that are suitable for Swiss families, farms and active households.
- Register in good time: Clarify responsibilities, permits and conditions.
- Check health thoroughly: Observe breed-specific checks, genetics, COI.
- Plan breeding professionally: Ensure hygiene, socialization, AMICUS and documents.
- Calculate seriously: Understand costs as orientation values, build up reserves.