March 28, 2006 — Viennese dog owners can now get a "driver's license for dogs" under a new initiative by city officials who think man's best friend can do with a bit of brushing up on canine conduct.

Though voluntary, this new license, which takes about two hours to obtain and costs a modest 25 euros ($30), has both written and practical "driving" tests to assess the owner's competence.

For the written part of the exam, candidates must answer multiple choice questions that check whether they know their responsibilities concerning their pet's health and behavior.

"When your dog wags its tail, does it mean it is happy, excited or bored?" is a typical question

The practical part simulates a spin — in this case a "walk" — through town, testing the owner in a variety of predicaments such as putting a muzzle on the dog in the tram or underground or picking up droppings.

"The Viennese are real dog lovers," said the capital's environment councilor Ulli Sima who initiated the license project.

"But they believe strict measures are necessary so that peaceful cohabitation between man and dog is possible in this city."

Those happy owners who pass their "license" — or Hundefuehrerschein — will be exempt from the annual dog tax of 43.60 euros ($53) and will receive a few goodies for their pets, from vouchers for a new leash to bags for their pet's droppings.

The initiative was triggered by a survey of 500 Viennese residents in September 2004 in which a surprising 85 percent backed the idea of instituting a "driver's license for dogs."

Vienna officially counts about 47,000 canines — meaning those subject to a city dog tax — but estimates say there could be up to 150,000 hounds for a population of 1.7 million humans.

"This is not about pure obedience, but rather about social tolerance of the dog-owner team in the city," said Sima's deputy Karl Woegerer.

This Viennese initiative "is unique in this form, although licenses exist in several German states," he said.

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