The breeding season is important for the protection of native wild animals and their offspring and also affects dog owners.
What you should pay attention to, which regulations apply to you and what you can do to still offer your dog fun and exercise, we'll tell you in this blog post!
What is the breeding season?
The breeding and setting season is an annually recurring so-called closed season for wild animals. This begins in spring and is based on the periods in which wild birds breed and other wild animals give birth to their young. In principleThe breeding and setting season begins between March 1st and April 1st, but exact guidelines and regulations may vary locally.
As the young animals are particularly unprotected and dependent on their parents, the parents and young animals may not be hunted during the breeding and setting season.
These regulations are of course aimed at hunters, but are also important for dog owners. If dogs hunt and tear wild animals during this time, significant penalties are to be expected.
How long is the breeding and setting season?
The breeding and setting season lasts in most federal statesThree and a half to four months - usually from April 1 to July 15
Breeding and setting season 2024: This applies to dog owners!
Not every dog owner is immediately aware of the breeding and setting season and knowledge of the applicable rules can also vary greatly. One reason for this:The exact rules for the breeding and setting season vary from state to state. In addition, there may be other special local regulations from municipalities or certain areas.
A generally sensible guideline for dog owners is:In spring, leashes are compulsory!
This is mainly because dogs can pose a danger to wild animals - and vice versa!
The smell of dogs or active hunting in an area with young animals can lead to the parents leaving the young behind or, in the worst case, young animals/parents being injured or killed.
Some wild animal species also go on the offensive during this time, for example wild boar are quite prepared to actively defend their young if they feel threatened!
Breeding and setting season leash obligation
If you put your dog on a leash in spring, you are on the safe side for now. Nevertheless, it makes sense to find out about the exact rules that apply. If you can't find any relevant information online or live in a federal state without a general leash requirement during the breeding seasonThe public order office is your best point of contact to find out the applicable rules.
The public order office can usually also provide you withdetailed information on accepted leash lengths, other requirements and impending fines.
In the following we have compiled a general Overview of the leash obligation during the breeding and setting season by federal state compiled. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in individual cases and advise every dog owner to check their local rules again!
Regulation of the leash obligation of the federal states in the breeding and seeding season 2024
At federal level, there is no applicable law on the leash obligation in the breeding and seeding season. The corresponding regulations are determined by the federal states or, in individual cases, even individual municipalities.
The following regulations are currently defined by the federal states:
Breeding and setting season NRW 2024
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the state forestry law for dogs applies in forests. This provides for a In principle, dogs must be kept on a lead outside of paths. In addition, in forests that are nature reserves, the leash requirement also applies on paths. The hunting law in NRW also allows hunters to shoot dogs if they are clearly hunting wild animals.
Violations of the leash requirement are punishable by fines of up to 50,000 euros, although lower fines are more common and vary depending on the municipality and location of the violation.
Brut- und Setzzeit Bayern 2024
Bavaria is one of the federal states thatNo general regulation on the leash requirement in the breeding and seeding season. This is decided by the municipalities and local authorities - it is advisable to check with the local public order office!
Brut- und Setzzeit Baden-Württemberg 2024
Like Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg is also one of the federal statesWithout general regulation of the leash obligation in the breeding and seeding season. In contrast to Bayer, however, a Year-round leash requirement for dogs in hunting grounds, where violations can be punished with fines of up to 5,000 euros.
Breeding and setting season Lower Saxony 2024
In Lower Saxony, the breeding and setting season applies fromApril 1 to July 15. July and during this time a corresponding leash obligation in the open countryside - also for bathing dogs!
Hatching and breeding season Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 2024
Similar to NRW, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has a Year-round leash requirement in forests. Additional rules are set locally.
Brut- und Setzzeit Brandenburg 2024
In Brandenburg, no regulations on the obligation to keep dogs on a lead during the breeding and setting season fixed. However, according to the Brandenburg Dog Keeping Ordinance, dogs must be kept on a lead everywhere outside enclosed areas.
In Brandenburg, hunters are also allowed to shoot hunting and poaching dogs under certain conditions.
Brut- und Setzzeit Berlin 2024
In Berlin, a almost complete leash obligation, also in forests. There are no other special regulations for the breeding and settling season. Hunters may also shoot hunting or poaching dogs here.
Brut- und Setzzeit Hessen 2024
In Hesse, there isNo general leash requirement in forests and no special regulations for the breeding and seeding season. Dog owners should check again with their local public order office about possible special regulations.
Breeding and setting season
Similar to Hesse, the situation is also similar in Rhineland-Palatinate. Here there isNo general leash requirement, but some nature reserves have special regulations. For dog owners from the region and travelers, it is therefore advisable to ask the local public order office for exact rules.
Brut- und Setzzeit Sachsen-Anhalt 2024
While Saxony-Anhalt does not have a general leash requirement, there are special regulations for the breeding and seeding season:
From 01. March to July 15, dogs must be kept on a leash in the open countryside and adjacent roads. Violations may result in fines of up to 25,000 euros.
Brut- und Setzzeit Sachsen 2024
Saxony also hasNo basic leash requirement. Even if there is no special regulation for the breeding and setting season,it should be noted that dogs must always be controllable. If this is not the case or the dog even chases wild animals, fines of up to 5,000 euros may be imposed.
Brut- und Setzzeit Thüringen 2024
In Thuringia, a year-round leash requirement appliesIn forests. Here, too, hunters may shoot poaching dogs.
Breeding and setting season Saarland 2024
In SaarlandDuring the breeding and setting season from 01. March to June 30th a leash obligation in the open countryside. Violations can be punished with fines of up to 5,000 euros.
Brut- und Setzzeit Schleswig-Holstein 2024
In Schleswig-Holstein, a year-round leash requirement for dogs in forests without additional regulations during the breeding and seeding season.
Breeding and setting season Bremen 2024
In BremenDuring the breeding and setting season from 15. March to July 15 a leash obligation in the open countryside, on fields and dikes.
Brut- und Setzzeit Hamburg 2024
In Hamburg appliesIn principle, an extensive leash obligation with year-round leash obligation in forests. Additionallydogs are not allowed in some nature reserves.
The right equipment for the breeding and setting season
If dogs that are otherwise used to running free or dogs with a strong hunting instinct suddenly have to be kept on a lead during the breeding and setting season, the right equipment is crucial.
We'll tell you what to look out for:
Drag leash during the breeding season
If local regulations allow, we recommend the use of a towline during the leash requirement in the breeding and settling seasonUse of a towline.
Depending on the length you choose, you can give your dog additional freedom and flexibilityAllow additional freedom and flexibility despite the leash requirement.
If your dog has a strong hunting instinct you should never let go of the drag line during the breeding and setting season never let go, but always hold on.
Adjustable dog leashes in the breeding and seeding season
Areas part of the leash requirement, only shorter leashes are allowed, we advise using a 3-way adjustable dog leash
You can hang it on your shoulder while walking, training or joggingSimply hang it on your shoulder and have your hands free - for a more relaxed walk.
How to find the right dog lead Find out here!
Dog harness during the breeding season
Especially if you walk your dog on a tow lead during the breeding and settling season and sometimes let it pullA well-fitting and padded dog harness important. This minimizes the risk of injury even if the leash is suddenly pulled.
Dogs with a very strong hunting instinct, which sometimes go into the leash when they see wild animals, should always be led on a well-fitting harness, regardless of the length of the leash, so as not to injure themselves when suddenly moving forward!
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