Dogs in Canton of Valais, Switzerland: rules, tax and travel
Valais requires liability insurance and a mandatory course for every new dog owner since 1 January 2020. Dogs wear a numbered medal and are taxed each year by the commune.
The canton sets the course and insurance rules; communes collect the tax and issue the medal.
The national rules for Switzerland apply here too. National rules
Breed rules
| Where | Rule | Breeds and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Valais | Banned | American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Dobermann, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, English Mastiff, Spanish Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, American Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tosa, croisements inclus Conseil d'Etat decision 2005 under art. 37 LALPA: keeping these 12 breeds and their crosses is banned (new ownership since 1 Jan 2006); visits up to 30 days per year allowed with leash and muzzle. [1] |
Registration and microchip
Dogs are registered in AMICUS and wear a numbered metal medal issued by the commune of residence (tax regulation 652.100, Art. 2, 3).[2]
Dog tax and licence
Charged yearly by the commune. Example: Stalden CHF 160 per year for dogs older than 6 months, with a CHF 20 reduction for owners with a dog-awareness course certificate.[3]
a year
A mandatory course with proof for every new dog owner from 1 January 2020 (ordinance 455.100).[4]
Insurance
Liability insurance covering the risks of keeping a dog is compulsory.[4]
Leash and muzzle
Dogs must be on a leash within localities unless commune rules say otherwise; outside localities they must be kept under control. No forest-specific rule found.[4]
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.
Sources
- troistorrents.ch/data/documents/Chieninterdits.pdf (secondary source)
- lexfind.ch/tolv/96885/fr (secondary source)
- stalden.ch/sites/images/home/news/2026/2026_Pflichtenheft-Hundehalter_Hundesteuern-2026.pd (official)
- vs.ch/fr/web/scav/veterinaire/affaires-canines (official)