The proficiency test consists of a theoretical and a practical part.

Theoretical part

• animal welfare regulations
• Relevant provisions of civil, police, administrative offences and criminal law
• Requirements for the humane keeping of dogs
• Basic knowledge of dog behaviour, particularly
  • learning and social behaviour, and
  • various forms of aggression and how to manage them
• Stages of development in young dogs
• Training and educationof dogs
• Dog care and handling
• Dealing with everyday situations
• Recognising and assessing potential hazardous situations

The theoretical part of the examination consists of an oral examination or a multiple-choice test.

The local police authority may waive the theoretical part of the examination upon presentation of one of the following pieces of evidence:

• successful completion of a degree in veterinary medicine,
• training as a police dog handler,
• a passed final examination in the profession of animal caretaker, or successful completion of training in another profession which provides the necessary expertise in handling dogs,
• the necessary knowledge and skills within thefor the granting of a licence pursuant to Section 11(2) of the Animal Welfare Act, in the version in force until 13 July 2013, in conjunction with Section 21(5) and Section 11(1)(3), 4 and 8 of the Animal Welfare Act in the version dated 20 December 2022 (Federal Law Gazette I, page 2752), as they relate to dogs,
• other evidence of the required expertise, for example fromcompetition judges or training instructors from dog sports associations affiliated to the Verband des Deutschen Hundewesens e.V. (VDH).

Practical part

• Assessment of the dog’s basic obedience (for example, in familiar and unfamiliar surroundings)
• Walking on a lead at a training ground or in an open area, with and without distractions
• Walking on a lead in traffic or in a comparable situation, even under difficult conditions
• Avoiding and managing dangerous situations

Passing the test

The test is passed if a minimum satisfactory standard has been achieved in both the theory and practical sections.

Have you failed the practical part of the test? Whether you areis at the discretion of the authorities and depends on the dog’s behaviour. A retake is normally possible after three to six months. Please contact the relevant authority for information on the exact regulations.

Note: Certificates of competence from other federal states that meet these requirements may be recognised.