Guide dogs or assistance dogs are allowed access to all public spaces, such as schools, transports, etc., without being affected by the detailed policies and prohibitions in these pages, except food-handling spaces (wineries, kitchens, supermarkets, etc.)

For this reason, the person responsible for the dog must carry documents accrediting its condition as assistance dog at all times. And you must identify yourself as a “user” of the assistance dog.

The breeds or typologies of breeds considered potentially dangerous in the Basque Country, as of December 2019, are as follows:

• Pit Bull Terrier (including American Pit Bull Terrier)
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Rottweiler
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Tosa Inu
• Akita Inu

Also considered potentially dangerous are dogs who are cross-bred between breeds included in the previous section, and specifically: American Akita, American Bully and American Pitbull Terrier, as well as all those dogs whose characteristics correspond with all or the majority or those listed in annex II of Decree 101/2004.

To be in possession of one of these dogs it is essential to have accreditation that you are in possession of a valid administrative licence for the possession of potentially dangerous dogs, and that the animal is registered in the Registry of Potentially Dangerous Dogs of the town council where it is on the census. In a public space, a person can only take a dog of these characteristics with the muzzle always affixed and held on a non-expandable chain or lead of less than two metres' length. Harnesses cannot be used.

If you are travelling with a dog of these characteristics, it is possible that the dog-friendly policies of the various premises and spaces might be more restrictive for you.

They are expressly prohibited, in general, from entering and staying in premises or vehicles devoted to the manufacture, sale, storage, transport and handling of foodstuffs.

Owners of the remaining establishments open to the public can prohibit, according to their criteria, the entrance and presence of dogs in the same, visibly indicating such prohibition at the entrance.

In other words, in food storage and handling premises, it is prohibited to enter with any kind of animal (kitchens, supermarkets, etc.). In bars and restaurants, in the client access areas, or areas for eating or drinking, there is no impediment arising from the legislation of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country. In some cases, municipal authorities have established stricter requirements than the regulations drawn up by the regional, national or autonomous legislation.

Access with dogs to the handling and barrel area of wineries is prohibited, because they are considered areas of storage and handling of foodstuffs. And, as we saw in the previous section, access to these spaces is prohibited in general.