dogs on the via de la plata

Glen Heuker said:

Are there lodgings/camp sites that are willing to accept dogs?

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There are. On booking.com the listings indicate whether pets are accepted. Most albergues will not allow dogs, but private accommodations may.

If your dogs are used to sleeping outside without you then you will have much less of a problem than I did when I walked the Norte for a week with my dog. I've also walked several stages on the Frances with my four footer. As falcon said, the municiples will not allow you to take the dog into the albergue with you but, at times, allow them in a courtyard or in a storage room.

As I only walked for a week I didn't mind staying in inexpensive hostales in a private room. I called in advance to make sure that I was able to have my dog in my room. Several places did not advertise dog friendly but when I explained that my dog was small (5 kilos) they let me stay. Keep in mind that you will have less contact with other pilgrims when sleeping in private accommodations but on route all the pilgrims wanted to say hello to my dog.

I would really like to walk from Sevilla in February with my current dog but do not want to deal with all the loose animals wandering around in Extremadura and Andalucia (pigs, cows, etc). Leaving from Salamanca will be much easier in that respect, you will only have to deal with loose and chained dogs.

I assume that your dogs are used to walking long distances as mine was. We walked in the fall so I did not have to worry about the heat nor the burning tarmac.

p.s. good luck and don't be surprised if you receive many negative comments about bringing a dog along.

On the road out of Tabara there is a farmer / shepherd with a large pack of unchained, quite aggressive dogs. I've encountered them twice and didn't enjoy walking the gauntlet. I could not imagine doing it with an animal of my own. I would recommend arranging alternative transportation from Tabara to Santa Marta de Tera (or at least the first half off the way there).

Raggy said:

On the road out of Tabara there is a farmer / shepherd with a large pack of unchained, quite aggressive dogs. I've encountered them twice and didn't enjoy walking the gauntlet. I could not imagine doing it with an animal of my own. I would recommend arranging alternative transportation from Tabara to Santa Marta de Tera (or at least the first half off the way there).

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We encountered these very same dogs. It was a harrowing experience walking by, with them on our heels, barking and looking menacing. We were told they do not like hiking poles, so hold your arms close into your chest as you go by, and do NOT look at them in the eyes.

Elle Bieling said:

We encountered these very same dogs. It was a harrowing experience walking by, with them on our heels, barking and looking menacing. We were told they do not like hiking poles, so hold your arms close into your chest as you go by, and do NOT look at them in the eyes.

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I tried that the second time I walked that way. They still went nuts.

Raggy said:

On the road out of Tabara there is a farmer / shepherd with a large pack of unchained, quite aggressive dogs. I've encountered them twice and didn't enjoy walking the gauntlet. I could not imagine doing it with an animal of my own. I would recommend arranging alternative transportation from Tabara to Santa Marta de Tera (or at least the first half off the way there).

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I had one come at me the size of a shetland pony. Thankfully the farmer called it back

Glen Heuker said:

Hi
We are plannig to walk the camino next may from Salamanca to Compostela with two Swiss Sheppards.
We want to do that for a charity cause
Are there lodgings/camp sites that are willing to accept dogs? (there will be national and international publicity in it for them also)
Can anyone help us further pls?
With best regards
Glen

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Can I see a photo of your dogs (we have 2 Swiss Shepherds as well).