Vaccination Rules

The dogs being brought to an event (show) must have a proof that they have been vaccinated against rabies at least three weeks before the start of the show (bring vaccination documents/EU pet pass). The rabies vaccination is valid for 12 months from the day of the vaccination. If a longer period is to
be made valid, then this extended period must be noted officially in the vaccination documents or in the pet pass in the field marked „valid until“.

If a dog receives a re-vaccination against rabies within the validity period, then the so-called 3 week deadline no longer applies. For primary vaccinations, the dog must have been at least three months old at the time of the vaccination and the vaccination must have taken place at least 21 days before the event.

Rules on travelling with dogs within the EU

A maximum of 5 dogs may be carried per person when travelling. The animals must not be intended for a change of ownership.

If this is not the case, then the rules for trade in animals apply. For more detailed information, please refer to the Ordinance on Intra-Community Movement, Import and Transit of Live Animals and Products (Ordinance on Disease Control).

Pursuant to Regulation (EU) no. 576/2013 and implementing Regulation (EU) no. 577/2013, that have applied since 29 December 2014, dogs, cats and ferrets transported across borders within the European Union must always be accompanied by a pet passport of a standard type.

It must be possible to clearly assign this passport to the respective animal, i.e. it must be possible to identify the animal by tattoo or microchip and the identification number must be entered in the passport. Since 3 July 2011, micro-chipping has been mandatory for newly identified animals (Technical requirements for transponders (PDF, 31 KB, not barrier-free)).

EU pet passports can be issued by a veterinary practitioner. However, the practitioner needs to be authorised for this purpose by the authorities competent under national law.

The maximum number of 5 pets may be exceeded if the animals are being moved for the purpose of participating in competitions, shows and sporting events or of training for such events (no change of owner). These animals must be at least 6 months old and evidence in writing must be provided that they have been registered for one of the above-mentioned events. If more than 5 animals are to be moved for other purposes, then the rules for trade in animals apply. For more detailed information, please refer to theOrdinance on Intra-Community Movement, Import and Transit of Live Animals and Products (Ordinance on Disease Control).

Vaccination against rabies

In addition to information on the animal and its owner, the pet passport must include a statement by the veterinarian providing evidence that the animal has a valid rabies vaccination.

Given that a time period of 21 days needs to elapse in order to develop effective immunity, the primary vaccination must be administered 21 days at least prior to crossing the border.

If a repeat vaccination is administered only after expiry of the last vaccination's period of validity, this vaccination shall be deemed a primary vaccination (period of validity of the vaccination is indicated in the passport).

Ban on entry and transit with puppies/kitten under 15 weeks of age

Puppies may only be imported into Germany or pass through Germany in transit with adequate vaccine protection against rabies. In view of the fact that the primary vaccination against rabies may be administered at the age of 12 weeks at the earliest and given that it takes a further 21 days afterwards to develop effective immunity, puppies may only enter or pass through Germany at the age of 15 weeks at the earliest.

More information

The rules of Regulation (EU) no. 576/2013 have applied to the entry with dogs, cats and ferrets from non-EU countries (so-called third countries) since 29 December 2014. These regulations aim to provide protection against the introduction and spread of rabies.

The requirements regarding the animal health status are, in principle, based on the rabies situation both in the third country of origin and in the Member State of destination within the EU. A maximum of 5 of these pets may be carried per person. The animals must not be intended to be given to a new owner.

By way of derogation, the maximum number of 5 pets may be exceeded if the animals are being moved for the purpose of participating in competitions, shows and sporting events or of training for such events (not for trading purposes). These animals must be at least 6 months old and evidence in writing must be provided that they have been registered for one of the above-mentioned events.

In all other cases the rules for trade in animals apply. For more detailed information, please refer to theOrdinance on Intra-Community Movement, Import and Transit of Live Animals and Products (Ordinance on Disease Control).

In Germany, the federal states (supreme veterinary authorities of the Länder) are in charge of implementing and monitoring this EU Regulation.

Preconditions for entry to the EU

Dogs, cats and ferrets from Andorra, the Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City must be accompanied by a pet passport that meets the requirements of Annex III, Parts 3 and 4 of the implementing Regulation (EU) no. 577/2013.

It must be possible to clearly assign this pet passport to the respective animal, i.e. it must be possible to identify the animal by tattoo or microchip and the identification number must be entered in the passport. Since 3 July 2011, micro-chipping has been mandatory for newly identified animals. The pet passport also needs to certify valid anti-rabies protection.

If the animals come from third countries listed in Annex II Part 2 of the implementing Regulation (EC) no. 577/2013, the following conditions apply:

• Every animal needs to be identified by a clearly readable tattoo or by a microchip (this has been mandatory for newly identified animals since 3 July 2011, Technical requirements for transponders (PDF, 31 KB, not barrier-free)) and
• proof of valid immunisation against rabies must be furnished in the animal health certificate. The period of validity of vaccine protection is based on the information provided by the manufacturer. If in doubt, please ask your veterinarian. A primary vaccination must be administered at least 21 days before the border is crossed.
• Entry is conditional on the animals being accompanied by a person responsible for the animals. The accompanying person must provide a declaration in writing stating that the animal's movement is not intended for sale or a change of hands.
• Entry may only be made in a direct manner. If the animals pass through non-listed countries during transportation, the keeper or his agent must certify in a self-declaration that the animal did not have any contact with animals susceptible to rabies in transit and that it did not leave the means of transport or the airport.

If the country of origin is not listed and the rabies situation there and its monitoring is thus unclear or alarming, the following conditions also apply:

• Prior to entry, the animals must be subjected to a blood test for antibodies against rabies. This test must have been performed at least 30 days after vaccination and at least three months before entry.
  The blood sample must be taken by a veterinarian who is authorised for this purpose in the respective third country. The blood test itself must be performed in a laboratory approved by the European Commission (Annex I of Commission Decision 2004/233/EC).
  
  List of laboratories authorised to perform rabies tests in the Member States and in the third countrie
  
  It is recommended to get in touch with the laboratory concerned beforehand in order to agree on the conditions for the dispatch of the blood sample. If the vaccination intervals as set down by the vaccine manufacturers have been observed after the blood test, it is not necessary to repeat the blood test.
• The three-month period prior to entry does not apply to the re-entry of pets from a non-listed third country into the EU if the accompanying EU pet passport shows that the blood sample was taken before this animal left the Community territory and that sufficient antibodies to rabies were detected in the blood analysis.

The above-mentioned conditions governing entry must be documented in an animal health certificate that is issued by an officially authorised veterinarian (the Chinese veterinary authorities require that the animal health certificate is in the Chinese language). In addition, the traveller must carry supporting documents such as a vaccination certificate or a document furnishing proof of the results of the blood test.

Entry is conditional on the animals being accompanied by a person responsible for the animals. The accompanying person must provide a declaration in writing stating that the movement of the animal is not intended for sale or a change of ownership.

Please note that all pets (dogs, cats, ferrets) always have their documents and identity checked when entering/re-entering the EU from a non-EU country. The accompanying person must register the animal with the customs authority for this purpose. Pets from third countries must enter the country via an airport or port that appears in the "List of points of entry to the Federal Republic of Germany". Exempted from this provision are pets from Andorra, Switzerland, the Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and the Vatican City State.

Ban on entry and transit with puppies/kitten under 15 weeks of age

Puppies may only be imported into Germany or pass through Germany in transit with adequate vaccine protection against rabies. In this context, a distinction is made between animals coming from a listed third country and from a non-listed third country.

If the puppies come from a listed third country, they may be imported into Germany at the age of 15 weeks at the earliest (rabies vaccination after 12 weeks + 21 days to develop immunity).

Young animals from non-listed third countries are eligible for import at the age of 7 months at the earliest (rabies vaccination after 12 weeks + blood sample 30 days after vaccination + a waiting period of 3 months).

More information

Gradings

The following gradings are to be awarded:

Excellent
Very good
Good
Sufficient
Disqualified
Cannot be judged

Placing

The four best dogs of each class will be placed if graded at least "very good". Only the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places will be awarded. Best of Breed will compete for the Best in Group.