The breeding and setting season is important for the protection of native wild animals and their offspring and also affects dog owners.
In this blog post, we'll tell you what you should look out for, what regulations apply in your area and what you can do to still offer your dog fun and exercise!
What is the breeding and setting season?
The breeding and setting season is an annually recurring so-called conservation period 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. As a rule, the breeding and setting season begins between March 1st and April 1st in Germany, 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 chase and kill wild animals during this time, severe penalties are to be expected.
How long is the breeding and setting season?
The breeding and setting season lasts three and a half to four months in most German Länder - usually from April 1 to July 15.
Breeding and setting season 2025: This applies to dog owners!
Not every dog owner is familiar with the breeding and setting season and knowledge of the applicable rules can vary greatly. One reason for this is that the exact rules on the breeding and setting season vary from State to State. In addition, there may also be other special local regulations from municipalities or certain areas.
A generally sensible guideline for dog owners is: In spring, dogs must be kept on a leash!
This is mainly because dogs can pose a danger to wild animals - and vice versa!
The smell of dogs or even 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 themselves during this time, for example wild boar are quite prepared to actively defend their young if they feel threatened!
Breeding and setting season - leash laws
If you put your dog on a leash in spring, you are generally on the safe side. Nevertheless, it makes sense to find out about the exact rules that apply. If you can't find any relevant information online or if you live in a federal state without a general leash requirement during the breeding season, the public order office is your best point of contact to find out the applicable rules.
The public order office can usually also provide you with detailed information on accepted leash lengths, other requirements and the impending fines.
Below we have compiled a general overview of the leash laws during the breeding and setting season by federal state in Germany. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in individual cases and advise every dog owner to check their local rules for themselves!
Regulation of the leash law of the federal states in the breeding and setting season 2025
At federal level in Germany, there is no applicable law on the leash requirement during the breeding and setting season. The relevant regulations are determined by the federal states or, in individual cases, even individual municipalities.
The following regulations are currently laid down by the federal states:
North Rhine-Westphalia breeding and setting season 2025
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the State Forestry Act applies to dogs in forests. This stipulates that dogs must be kept on a leash outside of paths. In addition, in forests that are nature reserves, dogs must also be kept on a leash on paths. The hunting law in North Rhine-Westphalia also allows hunters to shoot dogs if they are clearly hunting wild animals.
Violations of the leash law 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.
Breeding and setting season Bavaria 2025
Bavaria is one of the federal states that does not have a general regulation on the obligation to keep dogs on leashes during the breeding and setting season. This is decided by the municipalities and local authorities - it is advisable to check with the local public order office!
Breeding and breeding season Baden- Wuerttemberg 2025
Like Bavaria, Baden- Wuerttemberg is one of the federal states without a general leash law during the breeding and setting season. In contrast to Bavaria, however, dogs are required to be kept on a leash all year round in hunting grounds, where violations can be punished with fines of up to 5,000 euros.
Lower Saxony breeding and setting season 2025
In Lower Saxony, the breeding and setting season applies from April 1st to July 15th and during this time dogs must be kept on a leash in the open countryside - even when bathing!
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania breeding and setting season 2025
Similar to North Rhine-Westphalia, a year-round leash requirement applies in forests in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Additional rules are set locally.
Brandenburg breeding and setting season 2025
In Brandenburg, there are no regulations on the leash requirement during the breeding and setting season. However, according to the Brandenburg Dog Keeping Ordinance, dogs must be kept on a leash everywhere outside enclosed areas.
Hunters in Brandenburg are also allowed to shoot hunting and poaching dogs under certain conditions.
Breeding and setting season Berlin 2025
In Berlin, there is an almost complete leash law, even in forests. Beyond this, there are no special regulations for the breeding and setting season. Hunters may also shoot hunting or poaching dogs here.
Hesse breeding and setting season 2025
In Hesse, there is no general leash law in forests and no special regulations for the breeding and setting season. Dog owners should check with their local public order office about possible special regulations.
Rhineland-Palatinate breeding and setting season 2025
The situation in Rhineland-Palatinate is similar to that in Hesse. There is no general obligation to keep dogs on a leash here, but some nature reserves have special regulations. It is therefore advisable for dog owners from the region and travelers to ask the local public order office for precise rules.
Breeding and setting season Saxony-Anhalt 2025
While Saxony-Anhalt does not have a general leash law, there are special regulations for the breeding and setting season:
From March 1st to July 15th, dogs must be kept on a leash in the open countryside and on adjacent roads. Violations can result in fines of up to 25,000 euros.
Breeding and setting season Saxony 2025
Saxony also has no general leash law. Even if there are no special regulations 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.
Breeding and setting season Thuringia 2025
In Thuringia, dogs must be kept on a leash all year round in forests. Hunters are also allowed to shoot poaching dogs here.
Breeding and setting season Saarland 2025
In Saarland, leashes are compulsory in the open countryside during the breeding and setting season from March 1st to June 30th. Violations can be punished with fines of up to 5,000 euros.
Breeding and setting season Schleswig-Holstein 2025
In Schleswig-Holstein, dogs must be kept on a leash in forests all year round without additional regulations for the breeding and setting season.
Breeding and setting season Bremen 2025
In Bremen, dogs must be kept on a leash in the open countryside, on fields and dykes during the breeding and setting season from March 15th to July 15th.
Breeding and setting season Hamburg 2025
In Hamburg, there is an extensive leash law with a year-round leash requirement in forests. In addition, dogs are not allowed in some nature reserves.
The right equipment for the breeding and setting season
If dogs that are used to running free or dogs with a strong hunting instinct suddenly have to be kept on a leash during the breeding and settling season, the right equipment is crucial.
We'll tell you what you need to look out for:
Tracking leash during breeding and setting season
If local regulations allow, we recommend using a tracking leash during the breeding and breeding season.
Depending on the length you choose, you can give your dog additional freedom and flexibility despite the leash restriction. If your dog has a strong hunting instinct, you should never let go of the drag line during the breeding and setting season, instead always hold on to it.
Adjustable dog leashes during the breeding and setting season
If only shorter leashes are permitted as part of the leash law, we recommend using a 3-times adjustable dog leash. You can adjust these to suit the situation and surroundings or simply hang them around you while you are out walking, leaving your hands free - for a more relaxed walk.
Learn how to find the right dog leash here!
Dog harness during the breeding and setting season
A well-fitting and padded dog harness is particularly important if you walk your dog on a tracking leash during the breeding and setting season and sometimes let it drag the leash. 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 kept on a well-fitting harness, regardless of the length of the leash, so that they do not injure themselves if they suddenly move forward!
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