Breeding and Nesting Season 2025, Overview of the Leash Requirement for Dogs in the DACH Region

With spring comes the breeding and rearing season, a sensitive phase for wildlife. In many regions of the DACH area, a leash requirement then applies to dogs. Exactly when and where the regulations apply varies depending on the country, federal state or canton. This overview shows the current provisions for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Leash Requirement in the DACH Region: An Overview

The following sections list the applicable regulations for the breeding and rearing season and the associated leash requirement for the individual countries and their federal states or cantons. The list is sorted alphabetically.

Germany

In Germany, there is no uniform regulation. Each federal state sets the times and conditions itself, often even at municipal level. Tip: Obtain information from the local authority office or on the municipality’s websites, as violations can result in high fines.

• Baden-Württemberg: No nationwide leash requirement during the breeding and nesting season, but a year-round leash obligation in hunting grounds. Municipalities can enact stricter rules from 1 April to 15 July.
• Bavaria: No general regulations, but local regulations (e.g. in nature reserves) are possible, often from 1 March to 15 July.
• Berlin: Year-round leash requirement in forests, additionally tightened from 1 April to 15 July in open countryside.
• Brandenburg: Year-round leash obligation in open countryside, particularly strict from 1 April to 15 July.
• Bremen: Leash requirement in open countryside from 15 March to 15 July.
• Hamburg: Year-round outside private property, intensified from 1 April to 15 July.
• Hesse: No general requirement, but municipalities can order a leash obligation from 1 March to 15 July.
• Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: Year-round leash requirement in forests and nature reserves, additionally from 1 April to 15 July in open countryside.
• Lower Saxony: 1 April to 15 July in open countryside, including water bodies.
• North Rhine-Westphalia: No uniform breeding and nesting season, but year-round leash obligation in forests outside paths, intensified from 1 March to 15 July possible.
• Rhineland-Palatinate: 1 April to 15 July in open countryside, locally often stricter.
• Saarland: Leash requirement in forest and fields from 1 March to 30 June.
• Saxony: No general regulation, but municipal regulations possible from 1 April to 15 July.
• Saxony-Anhalt: Leash obligation in forest, fields and on public roads from 1 March to 15 July.
• Schleswig-Holstein: Year-round in forests, additionally from 1 April to 15 July in open countryside.
• Thuringia: Year-round in open countryside, particularly strict from 1 April to 15 July.

Breeding season in Germany: leash requirement for your dog

Austria

In Austria too, the rules vary depending on the federal state. Tip: Check the state laws or ask the municipality.

• Burgenland: 1 April to 15 July in forests and fields.
• Carinthia: No uniform regulation, but often 1 April to 15 July in nature reserves.
• Lower Austria: 1 April to 15 July in forests, locally often stricter.
• Upper Austria: 1 April to 15 July in forests and fields.
• Salzburg: No general requirement, but often 1 April to 15 July in nature reserves.
• Styria: 1 April to 15 July in forests and open countryside.
• Tyrol: No uniform regulation, but often 1 April to 15 July in nature reserves.
• Vorarlberg: 1 April to 15 July in forests and wildlife protection areas.
• Vienna: Year-round in parks and green spaces, additionally tightened in spring.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, the cantons decide. Note: In wildlife rest zones, a leash requirement often applies year-round. The cantonal hunting laws provide information.

• Aargau: 1 April to 31 July in forests and at forest edges.
• Appenzell Ausserrhoden: No general requirement, but year-round leash obligation in wildlife rest zones.
• Appenzell Innerrhoden: No general regulation, but dogs must always be recallable.
• Basel-Landschaft: 1 April to 31 July in forests and at forest edges, year-round in wildlife rest zones.
• Basel-Stadt: 1 April to 31 July in forests and at forest edges.
• Bern: No general regulation during the breeding and rearing season, but dogs must be recallable.
• Fribourg: 1 April to 15 July in forests.
• Geneva: 1 April to 15 July in forests, if the dog is not controllable.
• Glarus: Year-round in forests and at forest edges (except hunting dogs).
• Graubünden: No general requirement, but local rules possible.
• Jura: No general regulation, dogs must not disturb wildlife.
• Luzern: 1 April to 31 July in forests and up to 50 metres outside.
• Neuchâtel: 15 April to 30 June in forests.
• Nidwalden: Until 15 June in certain wildlife rest zones.
• Obwalden: Until 15 July in certain wildlife rest zones.
• Schaffhausen: 15 April to 30 June in forests and near forests.
• Schwyz: 1 April to 31 July in forests.
• Solothurn: 1 April to 31 July in forests and on marked areas.
• St. Gallen: 1 April to 31 July in forests.
• Ticino: No general requirement, but dogs must not hunt wildlife.
• Thurgau: 1 April to 31 July in forests and at forest edges.
• Uri: 1 April to 31 July in forests and at forest edges.
• Vaud: 1 April to 15 July in forests and at forest edges.
• Valais: No general regulation, but often year-round in wildlife rest zones.
• Zug: 1 April to 31 July in forests and at forest edges.
• Zürich: 1 April to 31 July in forests and up to 50 metres outside.

Breeding and rearing season: leash requirement for your dog

Tips for the period during the leash requirement

• Use a long line: More freedom of movement for the dog, without losing control.
• Incorporate training: Practise recall or search games.
• Seek variety: Explore new routes, even on a lead.
• Respect nature conservation: Stay on paths, avoid tall grass or undergrowth where young animals might be.