Valais is the land of giants. Here, not only the Matterhorn but 45 four-thousand-meter peaks await you and your dog. As you hike with your dog among glaciers and vineyards, you’ll enjoy one of Switzerland’s most spectacular backdrops—provided you know the rules. To ensure your high-mountain adventure remains stress-free and isn’t marred by ignorance regarding breed restrictions or livestock guard dogs, I checked directly with the cantonal authorities. Here’s your reality check so that you and your four-legged friend can conquer the Valais mountains safely and with the right know-how.
Attention: Restricted breeds in Valais!
This is probably the most important information for all owners of certain dog breeds. The canton of Valais has a list of 12 dog breeds that are generally prohibited in the canton.
For tourists, the following applies: A short stay of up to 30 days per calendar year is permitted. During this time, however, the following rules apply to these dogs on all public streets and in all public places:
- Leashes are strictly required
- Muzzles are strictly required
You can find out exactly which breeds are affected directly on the canton’s official website: link (website only available in German and French).
Encounters with livestock guard dogs: Where and how?
There are many sheep herds on the move in Valais, guarded by professional livestock guard dogs (LGDs). An encounter with them can be tricky if you’re hiking with your companion dog.
Where will I meet livestock guard dogs? There is no static map, as the herds move around. However, there are two excellent digital resources for checking in advance. The Office of Livestock Management (website only available in German and French) has provided us with the following tips:
- Official LGD (livestock guard dog) deployment map: The website protectiondestroupeaux.ch also offers a detailed map of the areas where they are present.
Mountain Paw Tip:
Before every hike, check this map and give areas with livestock guard dogs a wide berth if you have your own dog with you. An encounter is extremely stressful—for you, your dog, and the guard dogs.
Cows & dairy cattle: Keep an eye out
There are no centralized cantonal maps for grazing areas with cows or dairy cattle in Valais. The agricultural associations (Valais Farmers’ Association – website in German) recommend:
- Pay attention to local warning signs posted by farmers
- Stay calm and keep a safe distance
- Put your dog on a leash and move out of the way quickly if cows are approaching you
- Read more about this in my post on cows
Quiet zones & protected areas
Even though there is no general leash requirement in the forest, the Valais is rich in protected habitats and wildlife sanctuaries. In these areas, a strict leash requirement always applies to avoid disturbing wildlife. Failure to comply can be costly.
Where can I find these zones? The Canton of Valais provides detailed GIS maps of wildlife quiet zones: there are maps of biotopes (website in German/French) and wildlife protection zones.
Important Links
- List of restricted dog breeds in Valais: link (German/French)
- Map of LGD (livestock guard dog) deployment areas: link
- Map of protected areas & biotopes (GIS Valais): Map of biotopes (German/French) in the canton of Valais and wildlife protection zones (SCPF)
- Tax Ordinance of the Canton of Valais (Art. 2): link (German)
My conclusion: Preparation is everything
Valais is a hiker’s paradise, but it doesn’t forgive a lack of knowledge. If you’re familiar with the specific breed lists and the areas where livestock guard dogs are present, you can enjoy the mountains with peace of mind. However, without checking digital maps, your hike can quickly become stressful or costly.
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