Having Dogs In Fuerteventura

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Many people have asked about our dogs – whether we bought them with us from the UK or got them here. So, I thought I would briefly talk about having a dog in Fuerteventura and give the legal requirements for having dogs in Fuerteventura.

I did post about how we got the dogs here – https://www.jpinfuerteventura.com/categories/dogs/our-dogs/

Each dog must have a passport, be micro-chipped and have a Rabies jab. Unfortunately, so many locals don’t do this or have their dogs neutered – but nothing seems to happen to them.

You must always have your dogs on a lead, apart from in a dog park. This doesn’t seem to apply to locals. Dogs are not allowed on a beach except for a designated dog beach. These are few and far between – if you can call them a beach anyway. Many people, particularly the locals, take their dogs on beaches. Do you see a pattern here?

Travelling With Your Dog to Fuerteventura

To answer the questions “Can I take my dog to Fuerteventura?” or even “Can I take my dog to the Canary Islands?” you can, but at a cost.

If you own property in the Canary Islands and are on the Padron, you can take advantage of the 75% resident discount on the ferries, which can save a fortune.

By Air to Fuerteventura

Flying to/from the UK, dogs have to travel on a scheduled flight (which means British Airways or Iberia I think) and they can only fly into or out of an airport with an animal reception centre. I think this means Gatwick, Heathrow or Manchester. Because of this the dogs go airfreight which costs a fortune.

Dogs flying to Germany, Holland, Belgium etc travel as baggage with a passenger. Generally, the cost is about the same as the passenger pays, which could be as little as 39€.

Small dogs can even travel in the cabin in a suitable carry bag. I have heard of people flying to Belgium or Holland and being met by someone who has travelled by road across the Channel, which is much cheaper.

By car and ferry

Cadiz-Canary Islands

Traveling by car and ferry here with your dog, driving through France and Spain and getting the ferry from Cadiz is possible. The service is operated by Transmediterraneas and details can be found on their website.

A viewer of my videos, etc, has sent me some photos about this ferry route, which he has taken with his dog a few times. This is what he said and the photos – thanks John!

“Here are a few photos on board the Albayzin ferry from Cadiz-Arrecife this year clearly showing the kennels (the hotel Transylvania) on the open deck where the dogs can be exercised every 2 hrs until midnight. The kennels reopen at 8am. The kennels also have wifi cameras, which you can view on your phone. Doesn’t work on iPads. Water and pooper bags are available in the kennels. This year’s crossing took 32 hours with a return cost of approximately €1200 for two adults, 1 dog and a 6m camper van onboard meals are included. We didn’t get a cabin as the cost was ridiculous and are not available in pet-friendly options (no matter what the website says).”

Kennels on deck

Huelva-Canary Islands

A new Fred Olsen ferry starts between Huelva in Spain and the Canary Islands with 34 covered kennels. You can visit the dogs during the voyage. Details can be found here – Fred Olsen Huelva-Canary Islands.

Special animal transportation companies can also arrange to transport dogs (and cats) from the UK here and vice versa.

UPDATE: January 2020

Fred Olsen has introduced a limited number of cabins where your dog can spend the night with you. This is currently on the crossings carried out by the ship “Marie Curie”. For further details, see post on their Facebook page – Dog Friendly Cabins

Something to bear in mind:

Canary Islands Ferry with dogs

Rescue Dogs

There are so many dogs needing good homes here that finding a rescue dog is certainly not difficult. Fuerteventura Dog Rescue, run by volunteers, does a great job but it is an uphill battle.

Fuerteventura Dog Rescue: Facebook Page

Watch video in Youtube

58 responses to “Having Dogs In Fuerteventura”

  1. Kirsty avatar
    Kirsty

    Hi JP, I found your video very helpful. We are planning on moving to Fuerteventura after the summer with our two small dogs, can you recommend as to where we can rent? That would be greatly appreciated any names of places or links or good websites or estate agents. Thankyou in advance.

    1. admin avatar
      admin

      Finding long-term rental places is getting difficult. I will email you some links.

  2. John avatar
    John

    Hi JP.

    I agree that a lot of locals appear to walk without the dog on a leash have you ever phoned the local police or guardia civil ?
    presumably they would have to respond?

    Incidentally we brought our dog over from Cadiz on the ferry.

    1. admin avatar
      admin

      It would be an interesting exercise to see if they did and what they would do. I intended including driving and ferries as an option to getting a dog top Fuerte but that was a portion where the wind noise on the microphone was too bad unfortunately. I will add it to the written version. How did you find the ferry crossing? Did your dog have to go in a kennel on deck or could he stay with you?

      1. John avatar
        John

        Hi JP.
        Yes the dog had to go in a kennel on the open deck but no problem with rain or spray & the kennels were of a good size certainly enough for a large springer type dog.
        Other larger size kennels were available on lower decks as well.

        Cost of the dog on the ferry was €70 return but only because we paid for 2 adults & a 6m vehicle with a total cost of €1330 return.

        Total crossing time approx 27hrs
        We’ve got a few photos of the deck kennels etc so could email some if of use ?
        Alternatively we do the return journey to Cadiz at the end of March so could take a few more.

        1. admin avatar
          admin

          Hi John, If you could email a couple to me I can include them in the blog, with a credit of course. jp@jpinfuerteventura.com – Thanks.

    2. PaulFrost avatar
      PaulFrost

      Hi John I am thinking of doing the same ferry from cadiz do you have to go to a specific port on entry or is puerto del Rosario ok ??

      1. admin avatar
        admin

        I think the Cadiz ferry goes to either Lanzarote or Gran Canaria. Then you get a local ferry to Fuerteventura either to Corralejo (from Lanzarote) or Puerto or Morro Jable from Gran Canaria.

      2. admin avatar
        admin

        I have just seen a post of a new Fred Olsen route from Huelva to Gran Caria and Tenerife. Details here – https://www.fredolsen.es/en/new-connection-canary-islands-huelva

      3. John avatar
        John

        Paul.

        The ferry which we pick up in Cadiz (Albayzin) docks at Arrecife first then heads to the other islands before it docks at Fuerteventura so you would need to take the
        20 minute crossing from Lanzarote to Fuerteventura.

        We pick this route because the facilities are the best on offer for the dog although as JP stated a new route seems to be on offer but I know nothing of this one,

        Up to now we’ve done the return crossing 3 years running and not encountered any issues.
        This year we caught the return ferry from Puerto Del Rosario to Cadiz saving
        our selves the catamaran crossing to Arrecife and saved a few euro as well.

        I’ll try to send a couple of photos over to JP of the on deck kennels.

  3. Sonya Ruane avatar
    Sonya Ruane

    Hi JP
    Could you give me information on what ferry’s and route you took , I’m bringing my two German shepherd to Fuerteventura to live with us from Ireland , any help woul be appreciated, traveling mid February

    1. admin avatar
      admin

      Hi Sonya, We didn’t bring the dogs with us; we adopted them here. There are two ferry routes – ARMAS ferries sail from Huelva in mainland Spain to Arrecife in Lanzarote and Trasmediterranea sail from Cadiz to Arrecife. Just search for them on Google. If you have a place here already and an NIE you can get big discounts for residents on these ferries. Email me if you need more info – jpinfuerte@gmail.com

  4. Carlene tinley avatar
    Carlene tinley

    Hi JP me and my husband are thinking off moving out with our dog and cat. Do we need to take a citizens test at all. Also looking for rental accommodation and work. We have a few savings. Just wondering if you could give some pointers . Thank you

    1. admin avatar
      admin

      Hi Carlene, No you don’t need to take a citizens test or anything like that (assuming you are already an EU citizen). Finding a rental property, particularly that will allow a dog, may be a little difficult as long-term rental properties are in demand at the moment. That depends on which areas of the island you want to live though as it is easier in the south than the north at the moment I think. Obviously you will find getting work easier if you can speak Spanish, or at least some.

  5. Carlene tinley avatar
    Carlene tinley

    Hi JP thank you for your advice. I look at the South then maybe. I speak very little Spanish and my job is a personal banker maybe some Spanish lessons needed. I let you know how we get on. We love your YouTube videos and are fans. Thank you again. I may come back with more questions . Do you know what rental prices are or where do find out. Thank you again. Carlene

    1. admin avatar
      admin

      The best thing to do is search on Google for “long term rent in Fuerteventura” which will bring up all the agents

  6. Carlene tinley avatar
    Carlene tinley

    Thank you Jp

  7. Gerald Cammack avatar
    Gerald Cammack

    Hi JP,
    I am coming to live in Fuerteventura, I have a job lined up & have found accommodation that allows pets ( which is virtually impossible these days) I obviously want to being my own rescis dog over with me. He is a Staff cross & I am getting different advice over in Fuerteventura & the UK. I know that he is on the Dangerous Dogs List over in Fuerteventura & that he may have to be muzzled & on a lead but I’m being told that he has to have an aggression test & I have to have a psychological test & a Police check ? Also my main fear is when I return back to the UK there is some doubt as to whether he’ll be allowed back into the U.K. ? Which I cannot let happen as I don’t want to take him out there only to find out when I’m there I can’t bring him back ?
    Any advice would be greatly appreciate JP & I know I could easily foster one over there but I have this one.your
    Many thanks in advance. Gerry

    1. admin avatar
      admin

      Hi Gerald. It is true that you will have to obtain a PPP license. I will get back to you by email after I have checked a few things out.

      1. Nadine avatar
        Nadine

        Hi JP. Your info here is awesome! I have a similar question about breed. I have bull terrier mix, although I had no issues when I first moved to Malta with her. Now I’m thinking of moving to Fuerteventura and a little concerned about this PPP licence. She’s 12 yrs old and would definitely pass any kind of aggression test, but I wouldn’t want to have to muzzle her 🙁

        1. JP in Fuerteventura avatar
          JP in Fuerteventura

          I am not so sure that they need an aggression test. I think a vet determines the breed and if it is decided it falls into the PPP classification then that is it. You, the owner, has to undergo some sort of psychological test in order to get a license to keep a PPP. To be honest, you rarely see dogs wearing muzzles.

  8. Vivian Shipp avatar
    Vivian Shipp

    Hi JP. We are moving from the UK to Fuerteventura this year and want to bring our three dogs with us. For health and anxiety reasons, we can’t fly them over and want to travel with them by road. Is this something you can advise us on please? Thank you in advance. Vivian

    1. admin avatar
      admin

      Hi Vivian, I will send you an email

  9. Vivian Shipp avatar
    Vivian Shipp

    Thank you. That would be great!

  10. Alex Kirkpatrick avatar
    Alex Kirkpatrick

    What a beautiful island, it’s a shame that the dog fouling let’s it down. The authorities need to jump on this.

    1. admin avatar
      admin

      There are laws about it as well as all dogs needing to be chipped etc but unfortunately these laws don’t seem to apply to locals.

  11. Melissa avatar
    Melissa

    Are dogs allowed on buses in F please?
    Do you know any car rental companies that accept dogs. I am flying to F this weekend with my Shihtzu. Thank you

    1. admin avatar
      admin

      I am not sure. I must admit I have never seen one on a bus. I wouldn’t even mention the dog to the car hire company. If I hired a car I would carry whatever I wanted in it.

  12. Kate avatar
    Kate

    Hi JP,

    My husband and I are looking at coming to Fuerteventura in a few weeks and we would love to bring our dog, are there any good beaches to take our dog that my Husband would be able to surf at?
    Do you know if dogs are allowed on the Island and the ferry to Los Lobos?
    We have found flights and accommodation but it seems dogs are not welcomed with open arms on the island.

    Thanks

    1. admin avatar
      admin

      Hi Kate, I think bringing you dogs here for a few weeks holiday is probably rather impractical. You will certainly struggle to find holiday accommodation that will accept dogs. Officially dogs are not permitted on the beaches here, apart from one or two designated dog beaches, which frankly do not deserve the name beach anyway. I have never seen any dogs on Lobos so I would guess that they are not permitted. My advice would be leave your dogs safely at home.

      1. Cami avatar

        Hello JP. 🙂 My husband and I are moving to Fuerteventura this year with our two large dogs (a Labrador Retriever and a German Shepard). Can you tell us, please, the name of the beaches that allow dogs, since we want to jog on the beach with them? Your YouTube videos and this blog really help us with our transition! You rock! Thank you so much!

  13. Zara avatar
    Zara

    We are coming over for a holiday in June with our two Guide Dogs (perros Guias). The hotel is fine with everything . We are staying in the Jandia area and just wondered about having the dogs on a beach as they are not pet dogs. Also in terms of access, will we have any problems, we went to Lanzarote with them and had no probems at all. Also we need to find a local vet as they need to have tapeworn for the return flight, they have passport, ID booklet, rabies etc

    1. admin avatar
      admin

      Hi Zara. Sorry for the delay in replying. For some reason this comment went into spam! As they are guide dogs you won’t have any problems taking them on the beach. They will be welcome everywhere, just as in Lanzarote. Living in the north, I haven’t used vets in the Jandia area, however there are obviously vets in the area. This one is in Costa Calma – https://centroveterinariosur.com/ and this one in Morro Jable – https://www.cvjandia.es/ If I can help further then drop me an email to jpinfuerte@gmail.com Have a great time.

  14. Shirley Stokes avatar
    Shirley Stokes

    Hi, I have already bought my Rottweiler to Fuerteventura by ferry and have also taken her back to England by ferry last year, because it was such a long drive I have bought her to Fuerteventura this year by Air, it was a Tui flight and quite easy to sort out, my problem now is how to contact the airlines this side for a price to get her back to England. I have got a quote from a company here but they’re very expensive. Does anyone have a direct number for flights or any other information that may help. Thank you Shirley

    1. admin avatar
      admin

      Hi Shirley. Could TUI in the UK not give you a number for their equivalent here? Was it Woodside Cargo you got the quote from?

  15. IVA ANDERSSON avatar
    IVA ANDERSSON

    Hello,

    we are going to move to Canary Islands and I wonder about my pets. I have two english bulldogs and one great dane. Am I allowed to take them with me or are they considered as potentially dangerous dogs? They are very well behaved and kind.

    1. admin avatar
      admin

      I am sending you an email

      1. Shirley Stokes avatar
        Shirley Stokes

        Hi, I originally bought two Rottweilers to Fuerteventura they are considered as dangerous dogs but as long as I had muzzles on them (which they didn’t like, but soon got used to) and kept them on the lead then there was no problem. I have also found a couple of places including a dog park where I can go and let the dogs run around without a muzzle or lead, one thing I would mention is it is really important to clean up the dog mess as you can be fined if you don’t so always carry poo bags. Hope you bring them, they will love it, best wishes. Shirley

        1. IVA ANDERSSON avatar
          IVA ANDERSSON

          Hi Shirley, thank you very much. Did you get the license as well? I have no problem with having them on the lead, but how do you put a muzzle on english bulldog head? They have no nose 😀
          Iva

          1. Shirley Stokes avatar

            Hi, no I have never had any licence, I was never told that I needed one, we have been here 6 months now and friends who live here with dogs don’t know of any licence either. I see what you mean about the flat face I have only seen a couple of English bulldogs over here and they didn’t have muzzles, maybe they are exempt, I will ask the vet next week when I take Tess ( my Rottweiler) to be weighed. ?

          2. admin avatar
            admin

            This is the list of dogs where the owners needs to hold a PPP license apparently. a) Pit Bull Terrier. b) Staffordshire Bull Terrier. c) American Staffodshire Terrier. d) Rottweiler. e) Dogo Argentino. f) Brazilian Mastiff. g) Tosa Inu. h) Akita Inu.

            Also, if they have the following characteristics (translated from Spanish):

            a) Strong musculature, powerful appearance, robust, athletic configuration, agility, vigor and endurance.

            b) Marked character and great value.

            c) Short hair.

            d) Thoracic perimeter between 60 and 80 centimeters, height at the withers between 50 and 70 centimeters and weight over 20 kg.

            e) Bulky head, cuboid, robust, with wide and large skull and muscular and bulging cheeks. Strong and large jaws, robust, wide and deep mouth.

            f) Wide, muscular and short neck.

            g) Solid breast, wide, large, deep, arched ribs and muscular and short back.

            h) Parallel, straight and robust fore limbs and very muscular hind limbs, with relatively long legs forming a moderate angle.

          3. Nicky watson avatar
            Nicky watson

            Hi Iva.

            How did you get on moving your English bulldogs over. We are moving over in 6 weeks so any advice you can give would be great…. I’m worried about having to muzzle him due to his breathing. How did they find the journey?

            Many thanks

            Nicky

  16. IVA ANDERSSON avatar
    IVA ANDERSSON

    Thank you very much, I really appreciate it!
    Kindly Iva

  17. IVA ANDERSSON avatar
    IVA ANDERSSON

    That description fits on most of the dog breeds, I really love it, when they make things so unclear. 🙁

    Shirley, how was it to travel with dogs on ferry? Is it hot there, or is it comfortable? How are the conditions and how long time does it takes?

    Thanks to you both <3

    1. admin avatar

      Absolutely right Iva. That is one of the things that makes living here frustrating sometimes.

  18. Iva Andersson avatar
    Iva Andersson

    Hello,
    does anybodu know something about the temperatur inside the kennels? So it is not too hot there, when sun is shining ?
    Thank you Iva

    1. admin avatar
      admin

      Hopefully John (above), who sent me the photos will answer that question Iva

    2. John avatar
      John

      Iva.
      The kennels on the Albayzin ferry that we took from Cadiz to Lanzarote actually had aircon fitted which the chap who looked after the kennels controls.
      Water is available in the kennels via a tap but we used bottled water simply because we had it in our camper van which was parked on the open deck a few metres away from the kennels.

      We’ve always found the crossing fairly breezy which keeps things cool on deck but not cold. We normally cross from Cadiz to Lanzarote at the end of November then do the return journey from Lanzarote to Cadiz at the end of March.

      1. admin avatar
        admin

        Thanks John

  19. Iva Andersson avatar
    Iva Andersson

    Thanks John and JP, you are great, answering so quickly. We will probably move to Fuerteventura for good and we have a bunch of pets we will take with us. I was having nightmares about the journey.

    Thank you and have a nice day!

  20. Brian Clark avatar
    Brian Clark

    Hi JP,
    Just wanted some advice please if you are able to, as I am going out of my mind with worry. Was in Correlejo over Xmas/new year and while resting on a bench my arm was scratched quite badly by a young lady’s pet dog. After remonstrating with the woman about controlling the animal she said it had been given all it’s jabs(but who knows)and said it was always scratching her ? I went to the marina building and washed it with soap and water for quite some time and then applied antisceptic cream when I got back to my apartment. After returning to UK my mate said I should have got a rabies jab. Now I am literally making myself ill with worry. Any advice please. Many thanks Brian C

    1. JP in Fuerteventura avatar
      JP in Fuerteventura

      Although dogs have to have rabies jabs, I am not aware that a case of rabies has ever actually been discovered here. If you are that worried I suggest you speak to your doctor about it Brian.

  21. Alan McRobb avatar
    Alan McRobb

    JP, thoroughly good read. Like you we are wanting to make step one of spending most of winter in the canaries albeit Lanzarote. We have a dog that we’d love to bring but the information on every website is different including ‘the only airport you can fly through is Gran Canaria’? Is there a definitive, official site that tells me the rules for every canary island? We are in Scotland so overland to go by ferry is probably impractical?

    1. JP in Fuerteventura avatar
      JP in Fuerteventura

      The rules will be the same for all the Canary Islands. Unfortunately it is ridiculously expensive to fly a dog here from the UK (GBP1000+ each way as they have to go as air freight and to/from an airport in the UK with an animal reception centre). As you are in Scotland it would not be practical to get over to an airport the other side of the channel and fly from there (where the dog would go as baggage so roughly 10% of the price). Although it would be a long drive, driving can be the best option with the trade-off that you will have a car while you are here without the need to hire one. If you will own the property in Lanzarote you would be eligible for the 75% discount on the ferry from the mainland (with the right paperwork of course – this is Spain after all where bureaucracy is an art form).

  22. Alan McRobb avatar
    Alan McRobb

    Cheers, JP. I realise it is a minority situation. Even .gov.uk has info about arriving in the uk but not departing. No list of airports with ‘reception’ centres though it seems EDI has one but again no info on departures, only arrivals – I saw a dog being crated up at checkin the other week!

    There’s ferries dfds Newcastle-Amsterdam (4 berth dog cabins only – another way to extract the p*** & £} and P&O Hull-Rotterdam but still 15hrs+ then driving either side. I looked at Portsmouth-Santander but aside from the minimum 4day journey is the stipulation of muzzles. I’ve tried him with one and never got anywhere near getting one on – a very nervous and very strong vizsla.

    I think I am giving up? We chatted with our boarder at the weekend. She has two viz of their own and loves our boy coming to stay and he loves her walk pack. She is amenable to trading boarding costs with time in whatever Villa we eventually buy. It is funny, at home he barks and never goes on the sofa. At hers he’s all over the sofa with her two and never barks! He’s laid back and is never upset by time away. I guess that will be the route we go? Thanks again.

    1. JP in Fuerteventura avatar
      JP in Fuerteventura

      It is a great shame it is so stupidly expensive and difficult. It sounds like you have found a solution though.

  23. Derek Hastie avatar
    Derek Hastie

    Hi JP, we are in the process of relocating to Fuerteventura and obtaining Residencia. I believe that if I have an NIE I can get a substantive discount on the ferry from mainland Spain to Lanzarote and then across to Corralejo. I want to bring my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with me and our cat. I am apprehensive about the dog going in the hold of any aircraft as he is classified as snub nosed and I wouldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to him. Can you advise the best way to get him across to the island with the least hassle? If you have received information about flying with snub nosed dogs it would be helpful in case that would be the best option as I don’t want to be without them for five days or so by using a road/ferry carrier to transport them. Thank you for any information you are able to provide.

    1. JP in Fuerteventura avatar
      JP in Fuerteventura

      Email reply sent

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