3467 Dog at the Seaside

I would like to congradulate the Italian train service here for allowing dogs on trains its wonderful. Drove to a train station the other week with my 11 month old great dane and paid a childs fair for him to Pisa. He sat looking out of the window at the wonderful scenery. Unfornutaley the train did break down and a 2 hour train journey took 31/2 hours but he sat patiently all the way.
But my dilema is dog friendly beaches. I am looking for a beach inbetween La Spezia and Genova that I can take my dogs. I did find one in Cavi that had dogs on but when I proceeded I HAD A MAD MAN who was the attendent on the beach screaming at me that my dog wasnt a dog it was a Cavallo even though he is nearly 100cm high at 11 months hes still a puppy had the lead on and the muzzle as I know you are supposed to he's not a horse he's just big anyone know of a beach that takes big dogs. Mixed feelings they seem to like little dogs here but big is another issue he's a gentle giant who loves to be near people He understands perfect italian after only 51/2 months unlike his mother. His life here involves running across endless fields owned by my neigbour and at the moment running in one of his paddocks with a horse and her baby foal who is delightful to watch.
I also took him to Milan the other week aloud in Castrama but not in Ikea

Category
General chat about Italy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/01/2006 - 03:14

Kym, there are signs at the general entrance to most beaches advising you of the restrictions for dogs, restrictions generally ignored by most Italian dog walkers :) BUT, you have to make allowances for the size of your dog, and the simple fact that a lot of Italians you meet are not used to having dogs around, I am regularly amazed by parents dragging their children away from my dog when we're out walking (LOL, just thought maybe it isn't the dog...:eek: )

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/01/2006 - 03:28

[QUOTE=GeorgeS].....a lot of Italians you meet are not used to having dogs around.....[/QUOTE]

And from my ovservatons, those Italians who are doggy-people, tend to go for the smaller, yappy dogs or 'proper' working dogs, so a Dane might be a bit outside their comfort zone :D

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/01/2006 - 03:37

We call those kinds of dogs, handbag dogs, I hate them.

We have a Beagle and mongel and fortunately everybody loves them. The Beagle is still a puppy which probably explains a lot.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/01/2006 - 04:02

Hello

I am pleased that Dogs are welcome on Trenitalia. That said, dogs are welcome in a lot more places in Italy that the UK.

Rapide561

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/01/2006 - 04:29

Yes George, you are right about the signs on the beach about dogs, but I always see plenty of dogs on the beach and they stay under their owners sunbeds, with their water bowls, and yes they are all Italians, every year there is a particular dog that belongs to one of the shop owners,who goes for a walk along the beach, goes in for a swim and its at the same time every day, you can tell the time by him, and he is the size of a Bear, and he is on his own..........its funny to watch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/01/2006 - 04:41

Unfortunately I dont think my danes would fit under the sun bed may be a gazebo but I dont fancy trying to set one up on the beach.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/01/2006 - 04:50

Kim, I have the same problem, I have two german shepherds, and they both love the sea, :rolleyes: