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[Dogwalker4]

Hello to all.
Hopefully will be doing the Camino Francais with my wife in Spring or Fall of 2014. We will be not as conventional as most, but as everyone says "It is our Camino" and we will walk it they way we want. So we will be staying in private accommodation (hotels, etc). No offense to anyone about the alberques, it is just not where we want to stay (our walk, remember). We will also have our Jack Russell with us. Now before everybody starts in about taking our dog, know that he is a hearty and hard hiker who is very used to 20 km or more hikes in the Colorado Rockies and in the Austrian Alps. Also we are not trying to do 25 km or more a day (we will have plenty of time). I have been having great success finding accommodations along the Way who will accept dogs so do not believe we will experience issues there. Have heard all the stories about working dogs and strays along the Way as well, Thor is a stalwart, we will have our staffs...no worries.
We are looking forward to this journey very much!!!

 

[newfydog]

. Have heard all the stories about working dogs and strays along the Way as well, Thor is a stalwart, we will have our staffs...no worries.
!!

Lucky doggie.

I can't imagine where those stories come from. I make it a point to meet every dog on the trail. There are few dogs out there, but if you can find some they tend to be very nice.

 

[nellpilgrim]

Be very careful of the Dogs at La Faba they are an extremely dangerous .... trip hazard as they seem to sleep all day snoozing away wherever they find a nice little patch of shelter/sun!
But if they do wake up as pilgrim Thor walks past on his way up to O'Cebreiro please let us know or even better post a photo. :wink:

 

[Deleted member 12253]

Is this man for real, how are you going to get the dog from USA to Europe, customs and quarantine regulations will be very interested, how you walk and where you sleep your business.

 

[Dogwalker4]

Is this man for real, how are you going to get the dog from USA to Europe, customs and quarantine regulations will be very interested, how you walk and where you sleep your business.

Thor has flown to Europe many times with us. He has all the paperwork needed for the trip, plus his microchip. There are no quarantines for the EU as long as your papers from the US are in order (although no one has ever looked or asked for them on any of our trips, except when we re-enter the US). I think only the UK still does the quarantine thing. Thanks for your concern though.

 

[danielle]

Hello, I am hoping you are still active on this site. I have a chocolate lab that I'd like to do the hike with. Can you tell me:

If you recommend a certain airline?

Which airport you flew into?

How you get to the trailhead from the airport? (My dog is 50 lb, so not allowed on the train, from what I understand.)

What did you do for food? (She eats 3 cups per day. I'd imagine she'd need slightly more while doing the trail. But how do you carry a month's worth of dog food?)

How much water should she carry?


We're in Denver. We hike Deer Creek and the surrounding parks daily. She's used to hiking, but obviously has never done 6 hours/day for 30 days. I think she'll love this trail! How did your dog do in the end? Did you need the dog booties?

Any advice/lessons learned would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,
Danielle and Jane, the Dog

 

[Kanga]

Search this site first for information about taking a dog on Camino. And then find her a lovely relative or friend who will look after her while you are away.

 

[danielle]

I will do a North American trail with her now and save the Camino for another time then. Thanks for your input.

 

[SYates]

Hi Dogwalker4,
Are you still reading this forum? If yes, it would be great to hear your experience after you have done your camino with your dog. Was all going as you expected? SY

 

[Dogwalker4]

Sorry all,
Had to put it off for a while have to get the old knees in better shape for carrying a pack. We are however biking across Austria into Germany and the over the via Claudia Augusta into Italy this September. Our Jack, Thor, will be in his bike trailer.
@danielle,
Lufthansa is the best for dogs...though your Lab will have to go in the baggage hold. If you are flying from Denver I would recommend the direct flight to Frankfurt and from there catch a train to your destination, don't try and do 2 hops on the plane. If you need further info on what is required to bring your dog over to Europe let me know.
I still disagree with most naysayers about bringing your dog with you...it just takes more planning and research to find places that accept dogs along the way. I found many hotels that will accept dogs (although not the refugios/alberg's, but I didi not plan on staying in those anyway).
If your dog is a seasoned Colorado hiker you should be fine, but I would not go in the hot months.