Graubünden is Switzerland’s largest hiking paradise, but it presents dog owners with a maze of local regulations. Since the canton gives municipalities considerable leeway, leash requirements and rules vary from valley to valley. Particular emphasis is placed on protecting wildlife in the mountains and behaving appropriately on the vast alpine meadows where cows and their calves graze alongside livestock guard dogs.
An overview of the regulations
| Topic | Regulations in the canton of Graubünden |
| Leash requirement | There is no general cantonal requirement in the forest. However, municipalities have significant autonomy! Many municipalities have their own leash laws on hiking trails. |
| Public transportation | There are no cantonal regulations. Mountain railways and public transportation companies set their own rules. |
| List of restricted breeds | No. In Graubünden, there are no cantonal lists of dangerous breeds or bans on specific dog breeds. |
| Muzzle | There is no cantonal requirement. However, municipalities or mountain railways/restaurants may require it on a case-by-case basis. |
| Cows | Strong presence on hiking trails. Exemplary live-tracking maps are available for regions such as Flims/Laax. |
| Livestock protection | Key area! Be sure to check the digital maps (map.geo.admin.ch) using the search term “Alps with livestock guardian dogs.” |
| Tourist tax (dogs) | This varies by municipality. In tourist areas such as Flims/Laax/Falera, short-term visitors are usually exempt. |
Data sources:
- Dog Regulations & Supervision: Office for Food Safety and Animal Health (ALT) Graubünden – available in German, Italian and Romani
- Hunting & Wildlife Protection: Office for Hunting and Fisheries (AJF) Graubünden – available in German, Italian and Romani
- Wildlife Quiet Zones: wildruhezonen.ch (Important: Dogs must be kept on a leash on trails through protected areas!) – available in German, Italian and French
- Live Map (Example: Flims/Laax): Cow & Herd Protection Tracking
- National Herd Protection: Official Federal Map (Admin.ch)
Blog posts about the Graubünden region
Wilderness and pastures: Hiking with your dog in the canton of Graubünden
Hiking in Graubünden requires planning. Between wildlife sanctuaries with strict leash laws and GPS-monitored herds of mother cows, there’s a lot to keep in mind. Find out here why the rules can vary greatly from one municipality to another and how to navigate safely through the Land of 150 Valleys.
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