Laws & Rules.
Raising, buying and having a dog is the most fun there is! We get so much joy and love from our four-legged friends, but there are other benefits: new friends, exercise, knowledge and not least company - what dogs give is so amazing!
But being responsible for an animal also means that you have an obligation. The EU, Sweden and SKK place high demands on us. Sometimes it can feel difficult to keep track of what is going on. Here we present some of the laws and regulations that we must all follow.
It is important to point out that the breed club, RACC, does not have a legislative function. RACC can thus only make recommendations, while SKK can require its members to follow set rules in order to be a member and participate in SKK's activities.
It is the state authority, the Swedish Board of Agriculture, which prepares detailed rules and ensures that the Animal Welfare Act is complied with. The Swedish Board of Agriculture's regulations state what applies to breeding and keeping dogs and if we do not follow these rules, there is a penalty written in Swedish law.
STRICT OWNER RESPONSIBILITY
You are responsible for what your dog does when it is in a public place. You must make sure that it does not disturb or frighten people or other animals. If the dog injures someone or destroys something, you will be liable for compensation.
Between the 1st March and August 20, dogs are not allowed to run loose where there may be wild animals. During the rest of the year, make sure that dogs do not chase or chase game when they are not hunting. Your dog must therefore always be summoned so that you can immediately stop unwanted behavior - regardless of the time of year.
SO SAYS THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT
It is your responsibility as a dog owner to meet the dog's basic needs. Dogs are herd animals and need to meet both humans and other animals to feel good. They need to be activated every day both physically and mentally.
REQUIREMENTS FOR MENTAL STIMULATION AND EXERCISE
All dogs need daily exercise and should be outdoors every day. You should rest your dog at least every 6 hours during the day. Puppies and older dogs should be rested more often.
If your dog is in a kennel all day, you should rest it in another place so that it can come outside the kennel at least once a day.
WHAT DOES YOUR DOG DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT AT HOME?
If you are going to leave your dog alone, you should gradually get it used to it. You should pay special attention to whether the dog is young or if it shows signs of anxiety and discomfort when left alone.
TO TRANSPORT DOGS
There are also special rules for when and how you can travel with bitches and puppies and for transport abroad. Keep in mind that you are not allowed to transport dogs that are sick or injured.
When the family is going away, they often want the dog to go too. Before the trip, you should think about whether the dog will feel good sitting in the car during the trip or if the dog is better off with friends or at an animal boarding house.
You may only transport your dogs when they are suitable for transport. Dogs that are sick or injured must not be transported.
Transport dogs in a car safely
When transporting individual dogs in your car, make sure they are transported safely.
You can transport the dog in the combi compartment of your car if you have good supervision over it during the entire transport.
The dog must not risk being injured or suffering in connection with the transport. Therefore, you must ensure that the dog is secured during braking, for example by using a transport cage, load grid or seat belt that is adapted for dogs.
If you transport the dog in a cage or similar, it must be designed and placed in such a way that the dog gets shade and good ventilation.
You must ensure that luggage or other objects cannot fall over the dog and injure it.
Never leave a dog alone in a hot or cold car
You must never leave an animal unattended in the car if it is possible that the temperature inside the car goes above + 25 ° C or below -5 ° C.
Even if the car is in the shade and you leave a gap in the window, it can quickly get very hot inside a car. It is not just the temperature that determines how quickly an animal inside a car gets heat stroke and possibly dies. Humidity is also important. The higher the humidity, the faster the animal overheats. The humidity increases very quickly when the dog barks.
Rest the dog and give it water at least every 6 hours
During transport, rest the dog and give it water at least every 6 hours. It must be fed at intervals of no more than 24 hours.
Keep the dog in the car for a maximum of 3 hours
A dog may be kept in the car for a maximum of 3 hours when the car is stationary. It must not be stored regularly in a vehicle or in a car while you work. During that time, you need to arrange a better solution for the animal.
Dogs may be temporarily stored in the car during transport and overnight stays in connection with travel, during stays in areas where pets are not allowed or during other activities such as hunting, competitions, shows and training for the dog.
ACTIVITIES SUCH AS EXHIBITION, BPH, COMPETITION AND COURSES - WHAT APPLIES?
You must not train or compete with your dog in such a way that it is exposed to suffering. You who train or compete with the dog are responsible for ensuring that the performance requirements are adapted to the dog's physical and mental ability.
You must not use equipment or aids that could injure the dog or cause other suffering. You are obliged to have the competition veterinarian inspect the dog before the competition if a veterinary inspection is required. You must also follow the veterinarian's instructions for how the dog is to be used in the competition area or in the competition.
You must not affect your dog's performance or temperament during training or competition by giving it medicines, drugs or other substances. You must also not affect the dog's performance or temperament through, for example, acupuncture or ultrasound.