A Nice Dogs thread

[notion900]

So many threads on Mean and Scary Dogs: I want one on Nice Dogs please. Please post your photos of Nice Dogs of the Caminos here, and say where they live, and their names if you know them.

These are all Via de la Plata hounds...where else have you seen Nice Dogs?



This gorgeous big fella lives at the Hostel Albergue in Cañaveral. He has the freedom of the olive grove at the back - go through the gate and give him a cuddle. He is huge and slobbery but SO friendly.


And this total softy at the sheep farm before the Embalse de Alcantara, that makes the famous Torta de Casar cheese - the lovely doggy protects those sheep. He is soft as mush and will roll over for a stroke.


Maria's dear little dog at the Albergue Carmen in Villafranca de los Barros. Such a well behaved little girl, and so affectionate.

Good dogs! Have a biscuit!

 

[Waka]

Having only completed the one camino (CF) I guess I was lucky when it came to dogs, I never met any that were unfriendly even the farm dogs were ok.

 

[patgreen]

This dog decided to look after my bag

 

[Davie Blisters]

This is Harry. We met at La Cruz de Ferro in the evening as I was laying pebbles for my brother, who had died 6 months previously. We bid farewell and I returned to my bed at Foncebadon.
As I passed the cross again the next morning Harry came bounding up to me. I like to think he remembered me, but it was more likely the remnants of the Jamon we shared the previous evening he recalled. We walked together to Acebo. All the way I was thinking, how can I get you back to the UK and how would my 2 dogs at home react. But real life kicked in and Harry was too well looked after to be a 'Trail Mutt'. I took Harry to the café as you enter Acebo and explained in international sign language to the girl that Harry would not leave my side and that he was far to big to sneak through Heathrow Arrivals.
She cottoned-on too readily, which made me think this was a regular occurrence. Harry was fed handsomely on the front lawn as I exited the backdoor. (A Camino Love Story)

 

[notion900]

More Good Dogs please

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I remember Leon in Canaveral, looking after the chickens in the backyard. I tried to encourage him to get up and come see me, but nope, he was not leaving his chickens.

Lots of Mastines, and also Perros de agua, Spanish native breeds. A few years ago even got to see a Pachon de Navarra, the brred probably at the root of my breed of Spaniels. Could not believe it was standing there, in frint of me on the plaza of a tiny village in the wee hours of the morning.

And then there was the one I also almost brought back home. He was from Molinaseca. Smart, and so patient with children. When I called the restaurant where I had seen him to see if he was still there they said a pilgrim had taken him with him. So that story ended well.

And the Bernese puppy in Rubiaes at albergue El Nido, named after a famous Portuguese writer.

I think every albergue should have a pet. Best therapy for aching feet.

 

[Icacos]

Albergue owner's dog, in little village west of Burgos, catching the last of the afternoon sun.

I felt sorry for this old soul. We were up at La Laguna near O Cebreiro, a brisk day in early May with a cold wind blowing. All this old doggie wanted to do was lay in the sun and try to be warm, but the other village dogs - I guess further up on the dog ladder - just wouldn't leave him/her in peace. As soon as he came out into the sun, they would come barking at him - from quite some distance away - and chase him back to what they considered his relegated space, where there was no sun.

 

[Purky]

No dog, but close enough... Between Roquefort and Mont-de-Marsan on the Vezelay Route I had a cup of coffee outside a nice café. So did the owner of the little goat, who told me he always took it with him on a leash, otherwise it would get lonely and sad. The other local customers never batted an eye.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Similar photo to one by @Icacos but this was in Burgette. The dog was not soaking up the sun though. Instead he was wishing for some. Notice that he was keeping both his top and bottom dry.

Dog sheltering from the rain

• Rick of Rick and Peg
• Feb 27, 2016
• 4

This dog knew enough to get out of the rain. We didn't.

Taken on the Camino Frances in...

 

[GPeachy]

Cooper the wonder dog at La Casa Verde in San Martin del Camino. One of the best places I stayed. Always ready to play!

 

[SioCamino]

I met the lovely wee dog at Albergue El Carmen - lovely doggie! A few days later we met this beauty on the way to Aljucen... and then there's the lovely dartagne(?) at the Cafe Kiosko in Aljucen.

 

[notion900]

Loving this! More more more (goats pretending to be dogs good as well)

 

[zimmecp]

So she doesn't get to come on the Camino this summer...but...the light of my life...Jezebel...

 

[Deleted member 36903]

No photographs, but want to include the lovely dogs at Casa Fernanda who slept in the heat of the day 9if they had ownership of a seat they would not give it up for a human unless Fernanda intervened. They had fun at night hunting together for large frogs - oh, and the cats were friendly too.

 

[Rick M]

This is Harry. We met at La Cruz de Ferro in the evening as I was laying pebbles for my brother, who had died 6 months previously. We bid farewell and I returned to my bed at Foncebadon.
As I passed the cross again the next morning Harry came bounding up to me. I like to think he remembered me, but it was more likely the remnants of the Jamon we shared the previous evening he recalled. We walked together to Acebo. All the way I was thinking, how can I get you back to the UK and how would my 2 dogs at home react. But real life kicked in and Harry was too well looked after to be a 'Trail Mutt'. I took Harry to the café as you enter Acebo and explained in international sign language to the girl that Harry would not leave my side and that he was far to big to sneak through Heathrow Arrivals.
She cottoned-on too readily, which made me think this was a regular occurrence. Harry was fed handsomely on the front lawn as I exited the backdoor. (A Camino Love Story)

It was Harry and two colleagues who clamped on to me in Acebo last May. These guys (I have no pictures, sorry) are apparently part of the welcoming committee in Acebo, and are there to inspect the contents of your snack pouch for anything that may have survived that walk down from the peak. As I had to sit for a while and wait for friends, I watched them "inspect" everyone who walked into town. They were also on friendly terms (between pilgrims) with several kitchen doors on the main street through town. My guess is they do a pretty brisk trade. For those who are afraid of scary dogs, I understand. These dogs are not scary. All the dogs I encountered on the Frances were like the crew in Acebo, if not as well organized. They see a steady stream of treats, oops, I mean Pilgrims, that walk by them every day. Other than the farm dogs that tended to be all business, the rest want a pat on the head, a kind word, and most important, any food you may happen to have available.

 

[Davie Blisters]

That's marvellous Rick and I quite believe it - but I am not jealous. Harry does what Harry does

 

[Rick M]

Given the timescale, Dave, you might believe that they were looking for YOU..........

 

[notion900]

These nice dogs know the shortcut to avoid busy old Arzúa:

 

[Perry Lee]

So many threads on Mean and Scary Dogs: I want one on Nice Dogs please. Please post your photos of Nice Dogs of the Caminos here, and say where they live, and their names if you know them.

These are all Via de la Plata hounds...where else have you seen Nice Dogs?


View attachment 33768
This gorgeous big fella lives at the Hostel Albergue in Cañaveral. He has the freedom of the olive grove at the back - go through the gate and give him a cuddle. He is huge and slobbery but SO friendly.

View attachment 33769
And this total softy at the sheep farm before the Embalse de Alcantara, that makes the famous Torta de Casar cheese - the lovely doggy protects those sheep. He is soft as mush and will roll over for a stroke.

View attachment 33770
Maria's dear little dog at the Albergue Carmen in Villafranca de los Barros. Such a well behaved little girl, and so affectionate.

Good dogs! Have a biscuit!

I'm planning to walk the Camino in September/October of this year taking my campervan & two dogs. Hoping to walk about 30kms a day 4-5 days a week.
Can it be done ?
Where should I start ?l
Can I wild camp or should I stick to campsites ?
How will my dogs be received on the way ?
Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[notion900]

Wow. Do the dogs drive?

 

[notion900]

Followed by beautiful hunting dogs - not exactly friendly but not scary either:

 

[Perry Lee]

Wow. Do the dogs drive?

If I collapsed at the wheel I would hope they could at least apply the handbrake.

 

[notion900]

Followed by gorgeous Runa the Mastiff from Villafranca del Bierzo, all day!

Go home, naughty girl!
She waited for me while I ate breakfast and lunch.
And walked with me all the way to La Faba.

Gave her some water and phoned the number on her tag to get her owner to come and collect her:

 

[Ahhhs]

Sophisticated Santiago dog.

 

[VNwalking]

I have no idea of her name, but this beautiful girl was the greeting I got coming into Valcarlos. (I am a sucker for any dog who looks remotely like a Border Collie...so I'm sorry to have missed Cooper.)

 

[notion900]

I met a collie on the VDLP recently that was a working dog. I let him jump up at me and fussed him, and the farmer looked at me like I was insane! [Sorry no photo of him.]

 

[notion900]

Does anyone have a photo of cute little Zeus and his brother at Alba Soraya in La Calzada de Béjar? They are so famous they are mentioned in the German guidebook.

 

[19SY69]

Met this cute fellow on the camino Primitivo. We saw a lot of dogs and never unfriendly.

 

[tutinegra_pt]

This German Shepherd completely loose, between Finisterra and Muxia, walked with me for 2 km, and then disappeared as quickly as it appeared

 

[notion900]

This German Shepherd completely loose, between Finisterra and Muxia, walked with me for 2 km, and then disappeared as quickly as it appeared

Oh here is another heart warming dog story . I hope any dog-fearing new members are starting to feel better about the dogs now.

More please......

 

[docpam]

I will be making a donation to my local SPCA. I could not help any ill treated dogs in the rural areas of Spain but I can help those at home.

 

[Reija]

So many dogs to greet

• Reija
• Jun 28, 2017
• 1

I walk with my daughter. She is young, fit and fast. I'm so thankful for all those friendly dogs that slow her down!

 

[jana2017]

I just walked the camino with my 16 year old daughter - and same as Reija - dog greeting slowed her down. She especially loved the big Galician dogs that would sidle up for a pet. We decided that our black lab would make a great Galician Camino Greeting Dog in his next life. We were so surprised that we barely saw a dog on a leash or chain and we only met one dog that wasn't friendly (a tiny one at an albergue). The rest were love bugs.

 

[Threepeaks]

A watch dog somewhere between Santiago and Finisterre. There were two of them spending a lazy afternoon on the wall.

 

[Melchor gomez]

very good thread

 

[hel&scott]

I missed the dogs on the Vdlp this year, they were either busy at work minding stock or in town with their owners, none joined us for a walk as in past caminos. Best greeting I got was from my own loyal dog who was very pleased to see me return and take her for a walk.

 

[Anamiri]

I love this thread.
I missed my dogs so took every opportunity to make friends along the Way
1. This lovely girl was intent on digging something up in the park at Rabanal
2. This boy was getting some shade in the outskirts of Santiago - he was huge
3. These two were just chilling on the way to Triacastela
4. The old boy relaxing at the cafe at Alto do Poio
5. This boy was loved by his owner who walked out of the shot on the Meseta
6.The last one was a cute one in Santiago, with lovely curls and bright eyes.

I didn't get a photo of the tiny little yorkie who lived in the albergue we stayed at in Najera, or the big ones guarding the sheep past Ferro Cruz.


And edited to add in my baby sleeping peacefully at home.

 

[Brian E]

Great thread. As a huge dog lover I pet every dog I saw that would allow it. Which come to think of it seemed like most every one.

 

[Robo]

Molineseca



En Route to Villafranca del Bierzo

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Paddy with Ruby, Rosie, Harry, and Tim at the labyrinth at Villa Oreja, near Moratinos two autumns ago. All our dogs are Camino strays... and very good dogs!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Paddy with Ruby, Rosie, Harry, and Tim

I'm guessing that Harry is the one standing on the bench.

 

[Iriebabel]

In Barbedelo, the dog whisperer ...he is a pilgrim not a local the dogs curled up to him as if they knew him.


This happy dog in Santiago

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I'm guessing that Harry is the one standing on the bench.

Nope, that's Ruby. Harry is the galgo (greyhound.) Or was. All but Ruby and Paddy have since gone to their respective rewards (2017 was a rough year.). We are now down to Ruby and Judy, and we're babysitting Laika, a camino refugee who usually lives in O Cebreiro.

 

[notion900]

Oh the Good Dogs thread.. I had forgotten it! So happy it's getting another airing. MORE MORE MORE!

 

[Davie Blisters]

A four-legged pilgrim queuing for a Compestela

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Here's a nice dog I came across on the camino; at least I think it is a dog. Anyway it is wondering where it's trousers are.


I also came across this bad dog somewhere near Ponferrada. But it looks like he will be on a short leash for awhile.

 

[howlsthunder]

I actually didn't run into any dogs until after Astorga! But I saw a TON of cats and took lots of cat photos. But that's for another thread...

This pup was the albergue "Las Águedas" in Murias de Rechivaldo, "guarding" the entrance:


This pup was the guardian of the Albergue El Serbal y la Luna in Pieros:

(I think we can sense a theme here...)

This little dog found it was his duty to escort us through the tiny village of Valtuille de Arriba, barking most of the way (he stopped and went home once we got to the edge of town):


These golden labs were ecstatic to meet passing pilgrims heading into Villafranca de Arriba:


And these dogs were playing through a fence in Villafranca de Arriba:


A wall-dog on a village before O' Cebriero:


And my favorite dog was this Spanish mastiff (whose back was the same level as the table!) and his buddy, a cat, who hung out with us during breakfast. His owner laughed when I told him his dog was going on Camino with us:


This dog who fetched pinecones:


And this road-guardian, greeting pilgrims outside his farm on the morning of the day I reached Sarria:


Edit: I should also note that I knew to be careful that no dogs followed us and it can be a problem that animals follow pilgrims and then get lost. This never happened with me and dogs but almost happened with two donkeys.

 

[TravellerM]

So many threads on Mean and Scary Dogs: I want one on Nice Dogs please. Please post your photos of Nice Dogs of the Caminos here, and say where they live, and their names if you know them.

These are all Via de la Plata hounds...where else have you seen Nice Dogs?


View attachment 33768
This gorgeous big fella lives at the Hostel Albergue in Cañaveral. He has the freedom of the olive grove at the back - go through the gate and give him a cuddle. He is huge and slobbery but SO friendly.

View attachment 33769
And this total softy at the sheep farm before the Embalse de Alcantara, that makes the famous Torta de Casar cheese - the lovely doggy protects those sheep. He is soft as mush and will roll over for a stroke.

View attachment 33770
Maria's dear little dog at the Albergue Carmen in Villafranca de los Barros. Such a well behaved little girl, and so affectionate.

Good dogs! Have a biscuit!

We met a few friendly dogs on the Frances this autumn - this little fella was in Triacastela by the church.

I was concerned at a dog locked up in a small hut just on the bend before Filobal. The hut had the name Rex on it, most of the guard dogs are either sleeping or barking at you. When we went past this dog was whimpering in a very sad manner. You couldn't see the dog as it was a brick hut, but I would love to hear if someone has seen a healthy Rex out of his brick hut?

 

[K Turner]

We encountered nothing but gentle pups on the CF last month, thankfully. I wish I could have photographed them all!

 

[Davey Boyd]

Similar photo to one by @Icacos but this was in Burgette. The dog was not soaking up the sun though. Instead he was wishing for some. Notice that he he keeping both his top and bottom dry.

Dog sheltering from the rain

• Rick of Rick and Peg
• Feb 27, 2016
• 4

This dog knew enough to get out of the rain. We didn't.

Taken on the Camino Frances in...

I met him in 2016 as well. He was in the same place looking a bit sad. Friendly though.

 

[Davey Boyd]

Heres two cuties we met in 2015 in Penafonte on the Primitivo. We were setting up to sleep in the church porch and the locals came to say hello (doggy and human).

The first one was this huge chap. Wasn't interested in my banana. Was very interested in my salami though!



Then there was this teddy bear. Only a puppy, you can see the brick he gave us in return for some lunch. I turned my back on him once and he had his head in my rucksack looking for more! I met him again a year later, he was a bit more grown up with more manners but still a friendly chap.

 

[Davey Boyd]

In 2017 walking back to France I stayed in Granon and met this lot. Four people with 17 dogs walking for a doggy charity. They had a support van so no dog had to walk if it did not want to, and they all stayed in a huge teepee with their humans at night. The logistics were incredible!

Here are just some of them!

 

[notion900]

I hereby revive the Nice Dogs Thread!

Here's a little doggie obsessed with savaging his football. He moved so fast he could barely be photographed. Don't know his name, he lives in Calzada de Valcunziel on the Via de la Plata.

 

[Anamiri]

The ball looks as big as he is

 

[notion900]

The ball looks as big as he is

Yes he was only a baby. He was with a bunch of nice kids who were obviously ecstatic to have a new puppy.

MORE DOGS PLEASE!

 

[Deleted member 76633]

Last year I stayed at an Agriturismo near Sutri. It was a hot day so the two dogs decided that my room would be a nice place to cool down. Very pleasant just sitting there with quiet company.

 

[Anamiri]

How cute, I would love to share my room with them

 

[Paul Wilson]

My father in law the dog whisperer I think this was between Mos and Porrino

 

[JennyH94]

Thank you for this fantastic thread @notion900!

Here are a couple of photos to share from my 2018 Pamplona-Burgos camino -

This one of a little Naut-Ay at a favourite albergue - San Anton Abad at Villafranca de Montes de Oca:



and this one of a little Burgos cutie outside a supermarket in the centre of the city:



Cheers from Oz -
Jenny

 

[notion900]

So many Nice Dogs!