Attention dog owners in Saanenland...

For all dog owners who are registered residents in Saanenland: the deadline for paying your dog tax is August 1 2008; the fee is SFr 80, payable at the Gemeinde in Saanen (Gemeinde Gsteig is August 31). Also, since January 1 2007, all dogs older than three months of age have been required to have an implanted microchip (or legible tattoo) and must be registered with the Animal Identity Service (ANIS) database in Bern. ANIS is an independent database for pet animals operating throughout Switzerland. If you imported your dog from abroad, you must present your dog to a veterinarian in Switzerland within 10 days after entry into the country. The vet will register your dog’s foreign microchip or tattoo number with ANIS. In Canton Bern, owners of “dangerous or potentially dangerous” breeds such as bull terriers, Dobermans and Rottweilers are asked to declare their dogs with the cantonal veterinary office; owners will then learn about dog-training requirements and authorization for possession.

The authorities are currently considering a new law that would require dog owners to pay for and complete a two-part dog training course — a theory section on the needs and wishes of the animal, and a practice section on how to walk their dog and react to various situations that might arise during the process. Law or not, such training is recommended and available each week in Saanen at the Dog Sports Association (Hundesportverein) on Wednesdays at 20h00; the cost is SFr 5 per session and no sign-up is required. Puppy training takes place at 19h00. Training is in German, but French and rudimentary German is sufficient.