Gretna - the key to your whole dilemma is the letting off the lead thing. I have never once seen anyone with their dog off the lead. Yes, someone may contradict me but if it were me and knowing what I know, I think it risky.

You may find that you could find somewhere to walk your dog and let him off the lead but it could still lead to trouble. It just takes someone to complain to the authorities about your dog and your dog could be taken away from you. There is a cultural fear of dogs here and the authorities are more likely to take the side of the non dog person.

The person I referred to in my previous comments who was challenged by the policeman had a very sweet spaniel and all he did was bark but this policemen either did not like or was afraid of dogs and threatened to take the dog away and yes they can do that here.