Has the dog “policy” on the Camino changed?

[clarkandkaren]

I’ve been in Le Puy en Valey less than 5 hours and have seen dozens of hikers with dogs.. I think it’s great but .. every book I read says it an “absolute NO” at any of the places to stay. Just curious???

 

[davejsy]

Maybe day hikers, or maybe they are camping perhaps?

I think overall on the Camino's there are more people doing it with their dogs, although the numbers are still small with logistics problematic.

 

[Barbara]

I’ve been in Le Puy en Valey less than 5 hours and have seen dozens of hikers with dogs.. I think it’s great but .. every book I read says it an “absolute NO” at any of the places to stay. Just curious???

They may even be local, of course. I have dogs and walk them but don't take them on holiday. They get a live in sitter. BTW, if you like dogs I am planning a few trips away and the French countryside is great for training walks! On one of the French Caminos, even.

 

[David Tallan]

There isn't a no dog policy on Camino, as far as I'm aware. Certainly, many places offering beds for the night are not receptive to dogs. I think that is likely true on and off the Camino. I walked with a dog for a while on my Camino last summer. His owner certainly had more challenges finding accommodation, but he managed. Next I will hear that there is a no children policy.

 

[wisepilgrim]

It is not an absolute no in many places, in fact enough places now take them that I make a specific mention of it in the guides. Last week on the Camino Francés I asked in one albergue if they permitted dogs and the owner replied that yes they do, before humans in fact, as the dog's never complain.

In nearly all cases though the dogs are required to overnight in a specific spot, or that the owner stay in a private room.

 

[dick bird]

Each albergue has its own policy. Most of them say no because a dog, or any non human animal, in a dormitory is clearly unacceptable. Some places may allow a dog to sleep in the yard or garden. The only exception is certified service dogs: they must be admitted by law.

 

[Bob P]

I've heard dogs in a couple of pensions this trip. I'm a dog person at home, so not a biggie. Might disturb some.

 

[oursonpolaire]

There never was a policy-- the Camino only has one policy, that for the last 100km before Santiago, you must collect two stamps a day if you want a Compostela.

Market pressure is clearly creating more accommodation spaces for dogs and dogowners. The wisdom of taking dogs on the Camino stays the same. I have never thought that it was fair for the dog, but that's me.

 

[Bradypus]

The wisdom of taking dogs on the Camino stays the same. I have never thought that it was fair for the dog, but that's me.

Particularly not on some of the less travelled routes where you may pass through pasture land with sheep and cattle. A nasty incident this week on the Via de la Plata when a pilgrim's dog scared cattle which then charged and badly injured two pilgrims including the owner of the dog.

 

[Kathar1na]

The OP is not walking (or cycling) on a Camino de Santiago in Spain but on the GR 65 from Le Puy. Doesn't this make a difference, isn't the infrastructure somewhat different?

Asking for a friend who has not walked it yet but is considering it and recently bought the TopoGuide.

 

[dbier]

Particularly not on some of the less travelled routes where you may pass through pasture land with sheep and cattle. A nasty incident this week on the Via de la Plata when a pilgrim's dog scared cattle which then charged and badly injured two pilgrims including the owner of the dog.

Oh, was an uncontrolled dog the proximal cause of the injuries to the two pilgrims we heard about earlier?

That's a very painful lesson. :/

 

[Simperegrina]

Perrogrinos

(I’m here all week, don’t forget to tip the waitress..etc)

 

[Bradypus]

Oh, was an uncontrolled dog the proximal cause of the injuries to the two pilgrims we heard about earlier?

That is what news websites have reported though someone claiming to be the dog's owner disputes this in the comments section for this article.

El perro de uno de los peregrinos espantó a la vaca y los corneó

La vaca estaba recién parida

lacronicadesalamanca.com

 

[LTfit]

It is not an absolute no in many places, in fact enough places now take them that I make a specific mention of it in the guides. Last week on the Camino Francés I asked in one albergue if they permitted dogs and the owner replied that yes they do, before humans in fact, as the dog's never complain.

That reminds me of a café on a small plaza in Sahagún. I asked the owner if my dog was allowed in and he replied, "no problem, dogs behave better than most humans".

In nearly all cases though the dogs are required to overnight in a specific spot, or that the owner stay in a private room.

At times in the boot room (in the old days in the muni in Nájara) or in a sheltered space outside. If your dog is a house dog that option usually doesn't work, at least that was my experience.

I walked a week on the Norte with my previous dog and finding accommodations was in my opinion not worth the hassle and lack of spontaneity, and more expensive as I needed to book a private room. I was lucky to find hostales for €15-20 but when calling I always mentioned that I had a small dog which I believe helped. All the other dog owners I met were sleeping in tents.

Great to hear that some albergues are now more pet friendly but I guess that's more on the Francés than on other routes.

 

[dougfitz]

Each albergue has its own policy. Most of them say no because a dog, or any non human animal, in a dormitory is clearly unacceptable. Some places may allow a dog to sleep in the yard or garden. The only exception is certified service dogs: they must be admitted by law.

The right to access for guide dogs and other assistance dogs is governed by the Autonomous Communities, and while the rights for guide dogs is universal, it appears not to be the same for all assistance dogs. See https://perrosguia.once.es/legislacion/derecho-de-acceso-1 for discussion on this.

 

[Ivan_Prada]

It is not an absolute no in many places, in fact enough places now take them that I make a specific mention of it in the guides. Last week on the Camino Francés I asked in one albergue if they permitted dogs and the owner replied that yes they do, before humans in fact, as the dog's never complain.

In nearly all cases though the dogs are required to overnight in a specific spot, or that the owner stay in a private room.

And that answer brings into this notice in a hotel:



Here is the translation:

Dogs are welcome at this hotel. We never had dogs that smoked in bed burning the sheets. We have never had a dog steal our towels or turn the TV on at full volume or get into a fight with his roommate. We never had drunk dogs that broke the furniture. Therefore, if your dog vouches for you, you are also welcome.

Buen Camino,

Iván

 

[kelleymac]

The OP is not walking (or cycling) on a Camino de Santiago in Spain but on the GR 65 from Le Puy. Doesn't this make a difference, isn't the infrastructure somewhat different?

Asking for a friend who has not walked it yet but is considering it and recently bought the TopoGuide.

Yes, France is generally friendlier to dogs. While walking the Chemin (2017), I met up with some friends who were camping with their dog in Sauges. We had dinner at a restaurant and brought the dog along. The only thing we were asked was "is the dog in heat?". She wasn't and the owner gave us a table and brought the dog water.

 

[Barbara]

I once did a walk in France with a dog and a donkey. Not even my dog, his owner was on holiday. Sometimes the dog got to stay in my room, sometimes in my tent, and often in the stable with the donkey. Sometimes all three of us were in the stable. We all had a great time. Just don't expect a donkey to be allowed in your room.

 

[David61]

I saw this lad on a few different days along the Way but never thought to ask where they were staying. He seems happy enough with his boots for the sharp areas

 

[Margaret Butterworth]

I have just returned home after a month touring Andalusia. It struck me that there are far more pet dogs in Spain than there used to be. I stayed exclusively in hotels. One place allowed dogs in certain rooms on the ground floor, but I noticed that the owners were not allowed to sit in the main dining room, but in a sort of annexe at the back.