Tenerife forum

leanah · Baby Reefer Joined: 28 Sep 2008 Posts: 4 Location: uk

I JUST WONDERED IF ANYONE COULD HELP ME.
IM WANTING TO TAKE MY BULLMASTIFF DOG TO TENERIFE WITH ME BUT HAVE HEARD THAT HE MAY BE CLASSED AS A DANGEROUS DOG OUT THERE.

IF SO... DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT CHECKS/TESTS HE HAS TO GO THROUGH IN TENERIFE?

PLEASE CAN ANYONE HELP AS I REALLY WANT TO TAKE HIM WITH ME, BUT AM REALLY CONFUSED ABOUT POLICYS ETC?

THANKYOU SO MUCH

apollo

Woh...no need to shout.

Ok, first of all, dont panic.
There are many bull mastiff and bull mastiff type dogs on the island.

You wont have a problem with him. There are specific guidlines for what equals a "dangerous dog", eg: chest size larger than...., neck size larger than....etc"
I cant give you the exact figures cos off the top of my head I cant remember.

IF you have a dog that is classed as dangerous (and believe me, on an island where pittbullls are common place a mastiff wouldnt be a prob ) they must be muzzled and kept on a lead. The police may pull you up on it if they are not kept like that. However, that said in many cases its very slack. I, with the job I do, know of all different breeds, shapes and sizes who live quite happily with their owners and have no trouble whatsoever.

Do not worry. The worst that can happen is you will need to keep he/she muzzled in public places.

Do be sure to have it chipped, vaccinated etc to obtain your pet passport and also be aware that if you intend to rent its not necessarily going to be very easy, especially with a dog that size....not easy.....but not impossible.

Oh...and PLEASE make sure if you decide that tenerife isnt for you...please take your dog back with you. Might sound obvious if not a little rude, but you would be suprised how many people do do it, and big dogs suffer the worst often as they cost so much to transport.

Good luck
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jenny · Senior Moderator Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 5288

Hi Leanah and welcome to the forum. Using capitals is considered shouting on forums (in case you didn't know).

You may also need to get insurance for the dog and register him at the local town hall. Once you get here, take him to an English speaking vet and they will know exactly what you need or if you speak Spanish then just go up to the local town hall when you register yourself and ask them.
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jenny · Senior Moderator Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 5288

You can find more details about breeds and other characteristics of dogs considered dangerous and what is required if you have one here:

http://www.arturosoria.com/happyanimal/art/perros_peligrosos.asp

It's all in Spanish so if you don't speak the lingo put it on Babelfish or Google online translator to at least get the gist of it.
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leanah · Baby Reefer Joined: 28 Sep 2008 Posts: 4 Location: uk

so sorry didnt realize capitals classed as shouting oooops!

thankyou so much for the replies, going to take a look at the links you have sent to me....

also do u know if you have to have a 6ft fence round the property of the bullmastiff? just want to get everything covered before making the descision

jenny · Senior Moderator Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 5288

rob

Following on fro Apollo. Do you realise that its far more expensive and takes far more time to arrange to take your dog back to the UK than to bring it here? If you cannot make it in Tenerife or run out of money what will you do with your dog for the 6 months or more it takes to get permission to take it back to the UK?
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MICHELLEH1704 · Baby Reefer Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 15

i have been told that the dog has to go under manual police handling test? does anyone know if this is correct?

rob

TenerifeSolicitors

I don't profess to be an expert on this law, but here is some information that I have ascertained thus far, for information purposes only.

This dog is almost certainly on Tenerife's "Potentially Dangerous Dog" list (although the list probably varies from region to region). Although jaw and chest size stipulations will almost certainly put some dogs in the category even though they are largely docile.

You must register the dog at your local Ayuntamiento (Town Hall), who will advise you of any specific local requirements to take your dog out in public (lead, muzzle etc).

I also understand that owners of such dogs are required to take out a special insurance policy against any damage or injury the dog may do (I understand for between 125,000€ and 175,000€ cover depending on the region.)

But that's not the end of it. I also understand owners of restricted dogs are required to obtain a Certificado Penales (Criminal Record Certificate) to accompany the Town Hall registration, plus the owner may be required to attend a simple medical test (to demonstrate that you are in suitable condition to control such an animal).

Most people, particularly in the Canary Islands will laugh at these requirements and do nothing. However, the authorities are aware of the situation and are beginning to clamp down. Either way, it won't be until there is a problem with the dog. I can guarantee if the dog (or rather its owner) is denounced, then the lack of registration will almost certainly become an issue.

Moral of the story? Earn some kudos by becoming the first Canarian Resident to properly register. Hell, you can even write an article for the paper about your experience and the procedure and get your photo published!
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leanah · Baby Reefer Joined: 28 Sep 2008 Posts: 4 Location: uk

thankyou so much for the responses i appreciate you all taking time to answer the questions.

im definitely going to register him at the town hall and do everything by the tenerife laws as i feel its the right thing to do as after all i will be abiding by their laws while ever im there so dont want to do anything i shouldnt do.

im going to the townhall before i fly him out there to double check everything and that he is ok to go etc, then get all his tests done in the uk before he goes.

just hope i can find an apartment which will allow big dogs too for long stay until i can buy one.

TenerifeSolicitors

That's good news Leanah. When do you expect to bring him over? And when do we get to see a photo of the little rascal?

I personally believe that the majority of 'dangerous dog' attacks are the fault of the owner, where that owner has no control or discipline over the dog, or where the dog is simply being abused or neglected.

So maybe some of the owners should be muzzled instead? Laughing

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leanah · Baby Reefer Joined: 28 Sep 2008 Posts: 4 Location: uk

he is such a fantastic dog and very well trained i love him to bits, and really dont want to have to get rid of him so im praying everything goes ok for me to bring him here..

im going to be off to the town hall this week to tell them i will be bringing him etc etc......

will try to get a pic up, as ive packed my camera lol!