Bringing our Rottweilers with us

Had Rotties all my life in U.K but somewhat frowned upon here in Spain. Not sure but may come under “dangerous dogs” category here and if so will have to be muzzled. Shame...I always say its not the dog...it’s the owner.  Sure someone on this forum will enlighten you further. 

Thank you for replying. I agree with you, my 2 are spoilt rotten and we have never let them cause problems for others. I can live with them being muzzled if that's what it takes. Anything to keep them with us. I hope someone on the forum has gone through the process of taking them over or knows someone who has. Even if it's not rotties, Spain has quite a few 'dangerous dog's breeds inc staffies. Grew up with one of those and he was a fantastic dog with us kids. 

All the info you need is on the CAB Spain website...dogs over 20kg have to be licensed no matter what breed....check out the info 

Thanks will do. I was also hoping I'd find someone who had actually gone through the process to let me know how long it took and what happened.

Hi, yes they need to be muzzled in all public places, and as over 20KG and listed in Spain as a dangerous breed, as another poster stated, also need to also be registered with the local authorities. I also believe they may ask the owners to take a “ suitability” test, to determine if they are competent owners and not sure if the dog’s temperament is assessed too. We have friends here near Isla Plana with 2 rotties who are also very very soft and super well trained and obedient but they are non resident, staying a few months a year, apart from using muzzles they haven’t had any assessment or registration. If you are driving/ ferry over then you may struggle for dog friendly accommodation to take 2 rotties, our friends actually fly their two from Sweden to Alicante.  You are also supposed to carry their “ passports “ with you at all times. A neighbour with a springier spaniel was stopped by police a couple of years ago when they demanded to see the dog’s passport, she didn’t have it with her & was given a reprimand!! Anyway hope this helps, I think it depends what area you are going to and how strict the authorities and other residents are there. Good luck, Jaz

Thank you Jaz for the helpful reply. I'm glad to hear someone else has brought them over, even if only staying for a few months, and has not encountered any issues. 

They are classed as PPP here (potentially dangerous dog) you have to have a licence for each dog, in order to obtain the licence you have to have a medical check it's a 'physical/ psychological' assessment, apparently it's quite straightforward and not as scary as it sounds!, you have to have insurance cover for at least €120,000 about €40/50 per year for the dogs. You need a criminal records check.  The licence itself costs about 62 euro per dog. You also need a vet to sign a form to say the dog is healthy and you have to show the dogs vaccinations book.

Only the person/people licenced for the dogs are allowed to walk them and they must be muzzled and on a lead in public at all times or its upto a 2k fine. 

It sounds a lot of work and complicated, but it's not, it's just paperwork, this is spain, they love paperwork! 

Good luck, I love rottweilers and hope you manage to bring them.

Thank you 😃 yes it does sound scary but I'm feeling a lot more positive after reading your response. It definitely sounds doable 👍

Oh gosh yes it's very doable, just with patience, paperwork and a little bit of expense. One piece of advice, if they've never been muzzled in the UK, slowly get them used to it now. May make it easier for them to adjust when you bring them over.