Taking my service or pet dog on Camino

Taking a dog on Camino can make things a bit more tricky. Dogs aren't allowed in most restaurants, bars, albergues and some public transport in Spain. Some breeds are restricted or have to be muzzled.

Most people who take dogs are camping, and those that aren’t may have to leave their dogs tied up outside the albergue overnight, in all weathers. Dogs do not acclimatise to warmer or cooler weather as easily as humans and can become stressed at the constant changes and separation from their owners.

Aside from the difficulty in eating out and finding accommodation, there are the issues of buying and carrying dog food, sore paws, finding a vet if your dog gets ill or injured and the potential danger of conflict with other dogs as you walk through their “territories”.

However, by law service dogs have much greater access to areas forbidden to pet dogs, including inside albergues, so it is possible to go on pilgrimage with your working companion. You must carry your dog’s service certification documentation, and it would be wise to have a brief Spanish and/or French translation to ensure hospitaleros or restaurant owners understand that you have a service dog with you. It is worthwhile to try and contact any Spanish association for similar service dogs to see what advice or assistance they can offer.

All dogs must have the requisite pet passport or official third country veterinary certificate, be vaccinated against rabies, treated for tapeworm and microchipped.

UK government advice on pet travel

Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Travel Advice

There is a Spanish Association of Assistance Dogs based in Bilbao and one in Catalonia.

Rules on Restricted Breeds in Spain

Threats and diseases for pets in Spain