"Uno más de la familia": Lessons from Spanish dog culture.

One of my favorite things about living in Spain is the sight of a dog tucked under a table at a busy cafe. ☕🐕

In Spain, dogs aren't "relegated" to the backyard. They are integrated into the social fabric. They navigate the crowds, join the family for aperitivos, and are treated with the same warmth as a neighbor.

This level of integration says a lot about the Spanish value of community. It reminds us that "family" isn't a rigid definition—it's about who we share our daily lives with.

Why Spain is leading the way in the "Perrhijos" revolution. 🐾🇪🇸

In many Spanish cities today, there are officially more registered dogs than children under 15. But the shift isn't just numerical—it’s cultural and legal. Spain recently codified what many of us already knew: dogs are sentient beings, not objects.

This legal milestone means that in the eyes of the law, "Chiqui" or "Buddy" are recognized family members with rights and protections. From the bustling terraces of Madrid to dog-friendly offices in Barcelona, the "humanization" of pets is reshaping urban planning, the hospitality industry, and even family law.

How does your local culture view four-legged companions? Are they "pets" or "partners"? Is your workplace keeping up with the pet-inclusive trend, or is Spain ahead of the curve? Please email us your comments to philippe@milcham.com