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DogsReviewed in November 2026

Potentially dangerous dogs: what the law says, plain and simple

Which breeds are on the list, what paperwork you need and how your dog has to be walked. With the exact article for each point, so you don’t have to rely on what the neighbour says.

Perros potencialmente peligrosos: lo que dice la ley, sin rodeos

“Potentially dangerous” is a legal label, not an opinion about your dog. Some pit bulls are total softies and some Chihuahuas are real grumps. But if your dog is on the list, the law asks a few things of you, and it’s worth being clear on them before anyone stops you.

Which dogs are included

Across Spain, the rules come from Ley 50/1999 (Law 50/1999) and Real Decreto 287/2002 (Royal Decree 287/2002), which develops it. Its Annex I lists eight breeds, and their crosses count too:

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

On top of that, a dog that isn’t on the list can be considered dangerous if it has all or most of the features in Annex II: strong muscles, short coat, over 20 kg, a large head and strong jaws, among others. This is where breeds like the American Bully usually end up. So can any dog, of any breed, that has been involved in attacks, if the authority decides so after a vet’s report.

In Catalonia, Llei 10/1999 has its own list, which adds the Bullmastiff, the Dobermann, the Dogue de Bordeaux, the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Presa Canario. It also includes dogs trained for attack and defence.

The paperwork

  • A licence from the town council where the dog lives. It lasts five years and is renewable (Real Decreto 287/2002, art. 3).
  • To get it: be an adult, have no certain convictions or penalties, a certificate of physical capacity and psychological aptitude, and third-party liability insurance of at least 120,000 €. In Catalonia the minimum insurance is 150,253 €.
  • Registering the dog on the municipal register of potentially dangerous animals.
  • A microchip (art. 9).

Out on the street

Article 8 of Real Decreto 287/2002 makes it clear. In public places your dog must have:

  • A muzzle suited to its type of breed.
  • A chain or non-retractable lead shorter than 2 metres.
  • And you can only walk one of these dogs per person.
  • Whoever walks it must carry the licence and the registration certificate.

In Catalonia, whoever walks the dog also needs a licence, and it can’t be walked by anyone under 16.

Retractable leads are out even if you lock them: the rule says they must not be retractable. In the shop you can filter the leads that meet the length and aren’t retractable with “Leads suitable for PPP”. We take this from the measurements the manufacturer gives, so have a look at them before you buy.

And your town council

Local bylaws can ask for more or spell out the existing rules, such as where dogs can be off the lead or how much the licence costs. Before anything else, ask at yours: they issue the licence and can tell you best.

This article summarises the rules as published in the BOE (BOE-A-2002-6016) and in Catalonia’s legislation in November 2026. It is not legal advice.