Banned breeds in Spain

Our dogs are our constant companions; they are our four-legged family members. They travel with us wherever we go and are an important part of our lives. When it comes to international pet travel, however, all dog breeds are not the same. Some countries around the world have banned or restricted the entry of large and dangerous dog breeds. This breed-specific legislation is in place to protect people and other animals from dog bites and attacks.

If you are planning to travel to another country with your pet dog, it is important to check the list of banned breeds before you start your travel plans. If you are travelling to Spain with your dog, here’s what you should know about banned and restricted breeds in Spain.

Restricted dog breeds in Spain

Spain does not have breed-specific bans, and all dog breeds are welcome in the country. However, there are restrictions on strong and aggressive dog breeds such as the Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Akita Inu, Tosa Inu, Rottweiler, Fila Brasiliero and other powerful dog breeds. The list of restricted breeds is not limited to these breeds; it covers all dogs that are aggressive by nature, irrespective of the breed.

Dogs of these breeds and their crosses are considered potentially dangerous and owning such a dog in Spain comes with additional rules and responsibilities.

What are potentially dangerous dog breeds?

Spanish law considers dog breeds that are bred for attack and have the potential ability to cause death or injury to people and other animals as potentially dangerous breeds. Though the country does not ban any particular breed, dogs matching the following physical characteristics are considered potentially dangerous:

• Dogs that weigh more than 20kg and have strong musculature
• Dogs with bulky heads and short necks
• Dogs that are trained for attack
• Dogs with strong jaws and a wide mouth

Responsibilities of the pet parent of a potentially dangerous dog

Pet parents who wish to import a potentially dangerous dog in Spain have to follow all local regulations. Pet owners have to be more than 18 years of age to own a potentially dangerous dog, and they must be physically and psychologically capable of caring for the dog.

• The dogs must be registered with the local council.
• All vaccinations must be up-to-date.
• Your dog must have a license and a microchip.
• The dog must have a third-party liability insurance policy that covers dog attacks.
• The dog must be on a lead and muzzled at all times in a public place. Potentially dangerous dog breeds flying into Spain must be muzzled during the post-entry check.
• If the dog is off the lead at home, the pet parent must make safety arrangements to ensure the dog stays within the perimeter of the residence and cannot escape and wander away.
• If the dog is lost or stolen, it must be immediately communicated to the local authorities.

Travelling to Spain? Contact the pet travel experts

International pet travel to Spain can be confusing, especially if you are travelling with a big dog that could be on the list of dangerous breeds. An experienced pet travel agency can help you with the pet import rules and regulations and ensure both you and your pet have a stress-free pet travel experience.

If you are travelling to Spain with your pet dog or cat, get in touch with the team of pet travel experts at Petraveller for more information on pet import to Spain and a free pet travel quote.