News, The Spaces of Vienna

Viennese dogs micro-chipped, leashed and licensed 

by Sarah Casagrande 

VIENNA, Austria – Despite the freedoms offered dogs and their owners by the city of Vienna, dog ownership is strictly controlled. For example, dogs must be micro-chipped and either leashed or muzzled (or both) whenever in public.  

Also, owners pay an annual tax of 72 euros. 

“I really like that the city thinks about dogs a lot,” Petra Frey, dog trainer and founder of DogDialog in Margareten, said. “There’s even a dog license where you can prove that your dog is city-proof, and (with the license) you don’t have to pay taxes for one year for your dog.” 

The license certification involves owners taking a multiple-choice exam and demonstrating proper dog handling.  

“I think it’s unique to Austria,” Frey said. “It’s a lot about knowing body language and having background knowledge about behavior.” 

More than 6,000 dog licenses have been issued since the exemption program began in 2010, according to the City of Vienna website.  

Sarah Haupt, who trains her mixed breed, Frodo, with Frey, called it a “driver’s license for dogs.”  

The licensing is optional, but for some breeds, such as Frey’s pit bull Werner, it is required if their owners want to take these breeds into public spaces without a muzzle. 

Frey is certified to administer the test, but she said that most owners prefer to pay the 72 euros.  

Those who complete the test get a “Vienna Dog Box”, which contains dog care supplies. 

“It’s really a way of testing that is unique, because it’s more about having a comfortable dog and a comfortable owner, instead of the perfect heeling dog that is stressed,” Frey said. “These dogs are more likely to get behavior problems.” 

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