Go for a Stroll in the Forest
Germany isn’t entirely about cities and industrial factories, there’s also plenty of natural landscapes that still stretch across the country, including plenty of forests. A walk for the forest is a great outing that your dog would love to join you on. Dogs are generally allowed either on leash or off leash depending on the area.
Head south to the famed Black Forest region or head just outside of Berlin to the Grunewald. We went hiking through the forest Hainich Forest in the centre of the country, a UNESCO-listed beech forest.
Need to take a quick look at that t-shirt you saw on the window shop and your dog is with you? Feel free to go in, dogs are allowed to enter stores and shopping malls in Germany. Of course, the owner of the store has the right to say no, but I’ve never had a problem with this and I often see dogs of every size entering stores with their owners.
Guide dogs are allowed anywhere in Germany and they are not required to wear a muzzle;
Oh yes! Another surprise, again also to me. In Germany some specific museums accept dogs, some have a “dog day”, others simply allow them. So far I know four museums that accept dogs in Germany, though we have never been to any of them:
Now that might come as a surprise to you, it did even to me, as I never thought about bringing Enzzo to a church before. But, you can actually take your dog to the church in Germany. However, not all of them will allow it for one reason or the other, but there is no specific rule for that, just ask kindly. Some people take their dogs to church, but of course, it’s better that he behaves. I have to try this sometime.
You can read more (in German) about this topic here and here.
Bringing your pet(s) to Germany from a non-EU country
Transporting your pet Rules for air transport of animals vary from airline to airline, but, in response to customer demand, they are usually friendly about it. The airline should be notified when you book the flight if you plan to take a pet.
Its almost always required that the traveling animal be in a shipping crate that is sturdy, properly ventilated and large enough so that the pet may freely stand, turn around and lie down. Prescribed crates are available at pet stores and from most airlines. Remember to check with the airline when in doubt.
The crate usually goes in a pressurized cargo bay, though some airlines allow passengers to carry their pets in the cabin if the crate can fit under a seat.
There are pet travel services that can be useful, especially if the animal wont be accompanied by the owner. They also can advise on pitfalls to shipment such as a quarantine period at the destination.
To prevent the illegal and unethical trade of animals, owners of pets must accompany their pets or travel within five days of the pet – either before or after. (If the animal travels more than five days before or after the arrival of the owner, then the pet has to meet different and more stringent requirements before they are allowed into Germany.)
Each person moving to Germany from outside the EU is allowed to bring in a maximum of five animals as part of their “personal or household items”. The animals should be family “pets” and not brought to Germany to be traded or sold.
Animals brought into Germany (and other mainland European countries in the EU) do not have to be quarantined if they have the proper vaccinations (and the paperwork to prove that) and if they come from a country on a EU approved list. More information on the harmonization of EU country regulations regarding pets can be found at this link.
Since pets are regarded as part of the importation of household goods and personal items, there are certain rules and regulations that apply to them. The German Customs Office (Zollamt) is the federal agency charged with making sure that pet owners comply with the rules. The animals that are screened and can be approved for import by the Customs Office include cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs and other rodents, horses, turtles or tortoises (if not considered an endangered species), ornamental fish, parrots and parakeets, carrier pigeons and other types of birds. If you want to bring in any other type of animal you should check with the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country to see what procedures you may need to follow. This especially applies to animal species that may be on an endangered species list or other “exotic” pets.
If you wish to bring a cat or dog into Germany from a country outside the EU, the animal must have been vaccinated for rabies at least 30 days but no more than 12 months prior to its entry. Proof of the vaccination must be presented at the border. This proof can be a form in both German and English that has been completed by your vet. You can download a EU Veterinary Certificate in German/English here.
It is a European Union requirement that dogs and cats have an identification number, either on a clearly visible tattoo or as a microchip, and that this number corresponds to one on the examination certificate. Microchips must be implanted in pets before they get their rabies shots. Microchips are now required for all pets except for those who were tattooed before July 3, 2011.
Certain breeds (and cross breeds) of dogs present special problems. The rules vary from state to state in Germany, but most consider Pit Bulls, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers too dangerous. Their import is banned. Several of the states, including Bavaria, Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia, also have what they consider a Category 2 Kampfhund, and this includes the Rottweiler.
There is no outright ban on the import of Rottweilers and other Category 2 Kampfhund breeds or crossbreeds, but they must be submitted to a viciousness test. If they pass the test they are treated like any other dog. But if they fail they are subject to the same rules as the Pit Bulls and Terriers. If they are not outright banned from the state they face a high licensing fee, must be neutered and must be muzzled and kept on a leash whenever they are off the owners property.
For more detailed information on which breeds may be banned and in which states the ban is effective it would be wise to contact a specialist in importing pets. You can also go to www.zoll.de for a detailed list of banned breeds and other information about restrictions on dangerous dogs.
There are generally no special restrictions on the importation of service dogs, but they need to meet the vaccination and identification requirements.