Hi everyone who has a dog here in the Algarve........I moved here in may this year 2012 and coming from a big city where I have always had a dog (West Highland Terrier by the way) ...... very clever and well trained........

I am shocked to find out how unfriendly cafe owners are!, I don't want to take my dog inside but I think it is also not nice when I was walking by the beach (not on the beach) and decided to have a coffee some snack and water on a terrace that's outside which was also empty being 10am in the morning..... and was told i could not sit there with the dog......who was on his lead........... they say it is the law is this right ? As most of us who have dogs here and bring our dogs here they are a part of our family........

Also the same subject wanted to take the train up to Lisbon.... from Faro....... for the dog it was also full fare whichI paid return...... and the dog was on the floor the whole journey ........ asleep. then the Conductor, who was very aggressive and could only speak Portugues,e which yes is right this is Portugal but some off us are trying to learn the language also..... tells me that the dog should have a muzzle on in the train. which I was not told at the train station when I paid for the ticket........... but sitting in first class and small children running from the buffet car and back in to the compartment the whole journey was ok......

It is kind off putting me off moving here for good if this is the way people who care and look after there animals are being treated........

Hi Ray,
I have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier (which have a bad press and are actually lovely well behaved dogs if they have the right owener). I dont have any problems sitting outside a cafe with him. He normally just sits there or wags his tail at anyone he thinks is going to spoil him. I can honestly say that I have never had that problem here. You dont say where abouts you are in the Algarve? As for the train I really dont know as I have never taken Nino (my dogs name) on one but the difference with my dog is that he should really have a muzzle for those journeys, just not sure that applies to all dogs. Even with the majority of the Portuguese that I meet mistaking Nino for a Pit Bull they are still very welcoming. Please do not let the 2 unfortunate people put you off.
Kind Regards
Toni

Hi Ray,

dogs are a difficult question here in Portugal - we have 2.

Historically all dogs work here, so a lot of the Portuguese people are frightened of dogs and don't want to spend time with them - so if a bar owner or neighbour is from a rural background they may not understand dogs as pets.

However its not straight forward - we've found that the closer you get to Spain - Eastern Algarve - say Abufueira onwards Eest the less dog.are tolerated in public.

In the West dogs are more likely to be welcomed and are allowed on beaches outside of the main tourist season.

Also people seem to see lapdogs and big dogs in very different ways, i've seen small dogs in restaurants aka France but never a big dog.

I ssem to remember in the UK it was similar, maybe you're just lucky where you live - we lived close to Ascot and no restaurants would allow dogs in, but several pubs were dog friendly - then we moved to France where even a local michelin starred restaurant allowed dogs.

I totally understand dogs are a part of your life (mine too), but in understanding other people maybe there's a time to leave them back at the house

All of this aside i honestly haven't ever lived in a better country than Portugal

Hi toni

thanks for your reply...... i am living in the loule area this happened in armacoa de pera and the beach by villamoura.....

regards ray

Hi steve

thanks for your reply and info...... have not lived in the uk for many years..... i have been in amsterdam and bali with my dog......

but cheers for the info

regarsd ray

It is true, it's not allowed to take a dog to the beach during the Summer. Also on the train, same story, the dog must wear a muzzle and have it's vaccines up to date. You must carry his vaccine bulletin and dog licence. It's also true that Portugal is not a very petfriendly country, it's all a very recent concept to own pets. Be patient ! Different culture ! Relax and have fun !

Ive lived her for 6 years with my two dogs, and have never encountered a problem going to the bar (sitting outside) usually the Portuguese ask their names . You must have come across some really strange people. My Dog Ben (who is a Lab/staffy) goes to the Bar on his own, and Maria usually sends him back with a titbit.