10 Things NOBODY tells you about owning a dog in Germany

#expats #germany #expatsingermany #lifeingermany #expattips

Dogs in Germany are very well treated. They play a big part in society, therefore there are some rules and regulations all dog owners in Germany must follow.

In this video, we talk about the things you need to consider if you want to own a dog in Germany.

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📼 RELATED VIDEOS:
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✨ RELATED GUIDES:
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⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
02:27 - #1: Dogs pay taxes
03:12 - #2: Germany is very dog friendly
04:29 - #3: Dog parks
05:32 - #4: How to import a dog to Germany
07:16 - #5: Dangerous breeds
08:34 - #6: Dog liability and health insurances
13:31 - #7: Process to buy a dog in Germany
20:48 - #8: Dog owners need to have a dog license in some states
22:21 - #9: Rules for picking up dog 💩
24:00 - #10: Proposal of new dog law

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Simple Germany provides tips & information in English about living in Germany as an expat. We talk about services that are friendly and easy to use to beat German bureaucracy. We also cover the cultural aspects of living in Germany. All of this brought to you from the eyes of an expat and a German duo. We want to help you settle in Germany more smoothly.🍻

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[mayaangelou]

My impression is that Germans are sooo responsible… that’s why they may be mistakenly seen as “indifferent/hesitant”… but actually they do care .. and a lot … ❤️🇩🇪

[insideAdirtyMind]

I was asked once: he: "Hey were are your stray dogs?" me: "We don´t have street dogs." he: "*surprised Pikachu face*"
To the insurance: it really is needed....our beautiful dog is a very family friendly, never making trouble doggo, that once bit a medical helper in the hand when they entered the flat of my grandpa. My grandpa fell and needed an ambulance and was very nervous and anxious, so the dog wanted to protect him. She managed to get out of the (closed) room she was in and bit the first unknown man she saw....good thing we had an insurance, you never know. We felt bad for the poor medical helper, but everything went fine. Everyone is healthy again.

[franhunne]

Dog-law is Ländersache - so each Bundesland has a different dog-law. In Niedersachsen we have nothing like dangerous dogs ... we here do not divide dogs by breed.

But we have strict laws, too - humans can only own a dog if they have proven they are capable (dog-owner license). (Exceptions apply, ppl who owned dogs more than 7 years before the law obtained validity are excepted, for example). This dog-owner license demands a written and a practice test. All dogs need to be chipped. And dog-tax is a dog-avoidance tax - to stop people from having a whole pack, cities can decide what tax they think to be most appropriate. Service dogs (for the blind, for the disabled) are excempt from the taxes. I don't know if we do have "emotional support animals" in Germany.

But the most important message of my comment is what I mentioned above - the laws about dogs differ by Bundesland. Our neighbours in North-Rhine Westphalia still do difference between dog breeds. Niedersachsen does not.

[katrinbethge]

Welpen dürfen frühestens ab der 8. Woche abgegeben werden. Wenn der Welpe aus dem Ausland kommt (z.B.. den Niederlanden) sogar erst mit 12 Wochen. Der VDH wurde schon korrigiert. Bei meinen Eltern kostet die Steuer pro Hund nur 36€. Den „Hundeführerschein“ muss man auch in NRW machen, ab der 20/40 Regel machen (ab 20kg/ab 40cm).

[arnodobler]

Mein Hund geht Flaschen sammeln um seine Hundesteuer zu zahlen! 🤣

[kingschmiddy]

if you are not allowed to keep a dog you can ask an animal shelter if you can go for a walk with a dog

[dunjak]

9:40 Well, normally the owner just reports the accident to the insurance and they'll pay, without anyone being sued. ;)

[Bubim]

In general the more rural the area the lower the dog tax tends to be. But it always depends on municipality and state laws. Also different states have different rules or lists regarding "dangerous breeds".

[jessicamartinezs]

Thank you very much, this video was pretty helpful, I’m going to move to Germany in 2 months with my dog. Kisses from Colombia 🇨🇴

[NatureU]

I absolutly love your energy! Thanks for the video 🐕

[martianfacts]

Thank you so much for all the useful information you share with us in your channel, I am planning to move to Germany in the next few months and so far your videos helped me a lot to understand what to expect and prepare to do after that, I am also obsessed with dogs but unfortunately never had one because of many reasons and mostly my lifestyle so far (I mean I could have but I never wanted to be an irresponsible dog owner) But, I'm really lookong forward to the day that I would be completely ready to having one, Hopefuly after a year or sooner, after I moved in Germany.
I really appreciate what you guys are doing in your channel and again thank you much, keep up the good work! ❤

[jensschroder]

If you have a farm, the dog doesn't have to pay taxes. Those who tend sheep can also get a tax exemption for the dogs.
Or you are blind and the dog is trained to lead you, then it will also be exempt from the tax. This can also apply to trained dogs that help with other diseases in humans.
But it depends on the city / municipality.

It is not allowed to let dogs run in the forest without a leash. If the dog is hunting animals in the forest and the hunter sees it, he is allowed to shoot the dog.

[ElinT]

Another thing: in Germany, it is forbidden to euthanize a pet (any pet!) without a fitting medical indication. So if someone doesn't want to keep their dog and want to have it euthanized because of that or because of old age, you will most probably not find a vet who is willing to do this. This also goes for animal shelters, which is why adopting a pet from there (after informing yourselves what kind of a dog would fit to your life) is a very beneficial thing and these souls are very thankful!

Thanks to the both of you for these videos! I am a German living in Germany, so I would not need all your informative videos per se, but they are so nice to watch, I love your style, your contents and the touch of humor you bring to German quirkiness! Gutes Neues Euch beiden, Liebe, Freude und vor allem Gesundheit!

[andream.g.]

Subscribed! I just love and trust this channel and its creators a lot. Always nice tips and accurate information.

[rickyn]

The highlight of my Monday Mornings. 👏🏼

[FFM]

Die Höhe der  bestimmt die Gemeinde und ist überall unterschiedlich. In kleinen Gemeinden  sie oft weniger Geld als in großen Städten. Auf dem Land kann man mit einer Hundesteuer zwischen 5 und 40 Euro für einen  rechnen, in der Stadt dagegen schon mit 65 bis 186 Euro.

[reginahudson]

Hi, I grew up in Berlin in the 50s + 60s, I don't believe people owned dogs then as they do now, they definitely didn't pick up the poop 😂 . I do remember that they had to pay taxes . I have lived in the US for 55 yrs now and have had many different pets, I'm a widow, don't have any children but currently live with 3 dogs that I absolutely adore. I'm also volunteer with a Dog/Cat Rescue .
I found your video very interesting and informative and want to thank you for it, so proud to know how well Germans take care of their best friend !

[bojanapavlovic]

Could you guys please do a video on owning a cat, I'm trying to bring mine here for a more than a year now, and am completely lost! I love the laws regarding dogs here in Germany. They're well protected in that way.

[ClaudiaTen]

A dog "test drive" 😂 Thanks for the video! ❤

[alegomesbr]

Hey, girls! Great video as always 🤗!Just a quick tip: "illicit market" or "illegal market" are better terms nowadays 😉