All about this insurance: Dog and horse liability
Is dog liability insurance compulsory in Germany?
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Who is liable when a dog sitter looks after my dog?
In short
If your dog causes damage to someone else while with a sitter, you as the keeper are liable under German law even without fault. The sitter is also liable if they took on the care and did not watch the dog properly. The owner's dog liability insurance (Hundehaftpflicht) usually also covers unpaid sitters such as neighbours. Paid sitters need their own cover, about EUR 10 to 50 a month.
What it costs
Guide figures from published tariff information for keepers and dog sitters.
| Example | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Keeper's dog liability insurance including private sitters | about EUR 40 to 80 a year |
| Basic tariff including non-commercial sitters such as neighbours and friends | from about EUR 3.36 a month, around EUR 40 a year |
| Cheap and expensive dog liability in tests | under EUR 50 up to about EUR 150 a year |
| Liability insurance for paid dog sitters | about EUR 10 to 50 a month |
Guide values as of September 2026. For paid dog sitters the source quotes a low to medium two-digit monthly premium; the range of EUR 10 to 50 is our own classification and a guide value from our quoting practice. We obtain the exact quote for you.
Worked example
Two weeks' holiday, the neighbour looks after the dog unpaid
The dog breaks free and knocks a cyclist off her bike. This is how liability is split.
| Cyclist's loss | treatment, compensation for pain and suffering, broken bike |
| Keeper | liable without fault |
| Neighbour | took on supervision for a longer period and is liable too |
| Keeper's dog liability insurance | pays if private sitters are included |
| Premium for this | included in the normal policy, about EUR 40 to 80 a year |
The cyclist is compensated from the keeper's dog liability insurance. The neighbour does not have to pay anything out of her own pocket.
Two kinds of liability side by side
German law separates two roles. The keeper (Halter) is liable under § 833 of the Civil Code for damage caused by their animal, even if they were not there. Whoever takes over supervision of the dog by agreement is also liable under § 834, unless they can show they were careful.
For the injured person this means they can claim against both. In practice the keeper's dog liability insurance almost always settles the claim, because it has to pay without any argument about fault.
A favour or an agreement: the important difference
If someone just holds the lead for a moment or walks round the block once, they usually do not become a liable supervisor. If someone takes the dog for a longer period, for example while you are on holiday, it is a different matter.
As soon as money changes hands or looking after dogs is part of someone's job, the sitter counts as commercial. The keeper's dog liability insurance then usually no longer covers the sitter, and they need their own cover.
Who pays for which damage
The overview below shows the usual cases. The details are in the policy terms, and tariffs differ noticeably in the borderline cases.
| What happens | Who usually pays |
|---|---|
| Dog bites a passer-by while with the sitter | keeper's dog liability insurance, if third-party sitters are covered |
| Dog runs away from the sitter and causes an accident | keeper's dog liability insurance, recourse against the sitter possible for gross carelessness |
| Dog bites the sitter | often no payment from the keeper's dog liability insurance, some tariffs pay |
| Dog destroys the sitter's furniture | often the sitter carries the damage, depending on the tariff |
| Dog being looked after is injured | not dog liability insurance; the sitter is liable if at fault |
| Paid dog walking service or boarding kennel | the provider's own professional or business liability insurance |
What an unpaid sitter should check for themselves
If you often look after other people's dogs, check whether your own personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflicht) includes minding other people's dogs. That protects you if the keeper has no dog liability insurance or only patchy cover.
Your own injuries, for example after a bite, are most likely covered by your own health and accident insurance. Ask beforehand whether the keeper has dog liability insurance and whether third-party sitters are named in it.
What to do as the keeper before handing over the dog
Check whether your policy covers non-commercial sitters. For boarding kennels and paid sitters ask about their liability insurance, ideally in writing, and whether damage to the dog in their care is included.
A short written note helps: emergency contact, vet, the dog's habits, and the lead and muzzle rules of your federal state. Dog rules in Germany are set by each state. This protects both sides if there is a later argument about care.
When you do not need anything extra
If a neighbour occasionally looks after your dog without payment and your dog liability insurance includes private third-party sitters, damage to others is already covered. A separate animal sitter policy for the neighbour is then not needed.
Anyone who regularly looks after dogs for money, on the other hand, cannot avoid their own cover, even if it is only a side income.
Step by step
- Check your policy to see whether non-commercial sitters are covered.
- Ask paid sitters or kennels for proof of their liability insurance.
- Clarify whether damage to the dog in their care is included with the provider.
- As a sitter, check your own personal liability insurance for minding other people's dogs.
- Make a short written agreement with emergency contact and rules.
Checklist
- Private third-party sitters named in the dog liability insurance
- Proof of the paid sitter's liability insurance received
- Damage to the dog in the provider's care insured
- Minding other people's dogs included in the sitter's personal liability insurance
- Lead and muzzle rules of your federal state passed on to the sitter
Common mistakes
- Assuming the sitter is solely liable as soon as they hold the lead
- Hiring a paid sitter who has no liability insurance of their own
- Expecting dog liability insurance to pay for injuries to your own dog
- Working as a paid sitter and relying on the keeper's policy
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Do I have to pay as the keeper even though the sitter was not paying attention?
Yes, towards the injured person you are still liable. Your insurer can later turn to the sitter if they were grossly careless.
Is my neighbour covered by my dog liability insurance?
In most tariffs yes, if they look after the dog without payment. Check whether non-commercial sitters are named in your terms.
Does my dog liability insurance pay if the dog bites the sitter?
Often not, because the sitter counts as the supervisor. Some tariffs do pay. Look at the terms.
Who pays if my dog is injured while with the sitter?
Not your dog liability insurance. If the sitter was not careful, they are liable themselves. Paid sitters cover this with care, custody and control cover in their professional liability insurance.
Do I need my own insurance as a dog sitter?
If you are paid, yes. If you help occasionally and without payment, you are usually protected through the keeper.
Does this also apply at a boarding kennel?
The kennel needs its own business liability insurance. Your liability as keeper continues alongside it.
Sources
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NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH, insurance broker licensed under section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act, broker register no. D-C08Q-TOSD4-37. For boat and yacht insurance we act as underwriting agency, not as broker. Statutory disclosure (German) · Updated
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