Dogs welcome

Although we no,longer have a dog, I would choose a dog friendly pub or restaurant every time. There's usually a nicer, more relaxed atmosphere, and I really enjoy meeting other people's dogs.
There are plenty of no-dog places to choose from if you don't like them.

As for the 'hygiene' issue, IMO most dogs are no dirtier than the average human. I'd be interested to know how many blokes coming out of the men's loos in any restaurant after a pee, will have washed their hands.
Nothing like 100%, I bet.

This is a good example of tolerance from one side and consideration on the other

There is a large park in my area. In this park is a cafe which serves snacks and hot meals. One side of the cafe is a courtyard for dogs and their owners and the other side has a courtyard where dogs are forbidden. I personally wouldn't like dogs around me sniffing, shaking, growling, urinating, you name it, while I was eating.

We are just back from Italy and ate a lot of meals outdoors where dogs were welcome. One girl was petting her dog and eating a sandwich at the same time , yeugh.

We were having lunch in a pub recently and the owner's dog was jumping up on the seat beside us. It was quite a big dog and it made me feel uncomfortable. I have had a few bad experiences with dogs and I am very wary of them. I certainly don't want one hanging about when I am eating. The owner could see we weren't happy and eventually put it out into the garden.

Norah, if they are well behaved I'm sure they're not. But if you find somebody giving them a wide berth it might just be somebody who has had a bad experience in the past, not an animal hater.

Mumsyface, Thank you for background, I never would have known my dogs were source to any discomfort.

It is merely the background to why some people do not want to be around dogs. I don't think anyone was actually suggesting it was all dogs, or alll dog owners, but once bitten twice shy is one tactic for avoiding further problems.

I take all these points, but they are not necessarily typical of ALL dogs. We can all produce horror stories anecdotal evidence of dogs/cats/children who are a pain in the proverbial, but most people do NOT take their dogs to the places mentioned, whether pubs or eating places, including visiting friends unless actively encouraged so to do, so why castigate dogs and dog owners in general as anti social? We do not take dogs into shops so why argue against it as if it were commonplace? Responsible dog owners have poo bags at the ready to clear up after their dog, do not let them lick faces or jump up on visitors so why blame us as if we do?
Yes there will always be exceptions, like (some) ghastly toddlers proudly performing in their potty in public, or having a strop, Kevin-esque preteens and teenagers arguing with their parents, screaming with laughter at each other or lads mouthing obscenities. Fortunately that is not common so why bother to bring it into the equation.
Just like well behaved dogs and responsible owners.

Ditto, children.

Grandtante, your final sentence says it all ?

You might want to holiday in Denmark! Here dogs (and other pets) are not allowed in any place that sells or serves food, although you may usually take a dog into a pub, or if a restaurant or the like has outside tables order your food and eat it outside with a dog on a lead.

The public health laws are strict and are upheld, so if you do see a dog in a restaurant, you can complain, unless it is a guide dog for a blind person, or trained to help any other disabled person.

I myself like dogs, cats and most other domestic animals, but I do feel strongly that animals should be treated as animals, not as children. I would never dream of taking a dog to visit any of our friends without making sure first that the person didn't mind. Our cats are not allowed on the table or on the kitchen work-spaces, not do they eat or drink off our china, and a dog certainly would not either. If we have a visitor, who does not like cats, just now we are dog-less, or is allergic to them, I take the cats out of the room and close the door. My husband always remembers to ask visitor, if they mind him smoking. People can be allergic to cat fur and cigarette smoke, or simply not wish to be in a room where someone is smoking. Surely, it is simple good manners not to allow your pets to annoy other people?

If you're odd Paddyannn then I am too. In addition to what's been said already I find it irritating when dogs are with their owners at a table on the footpath, but the owners are waffling with someone & disregarding how annoying their dogs are being, blocking the footpath, sniffing other dogs, small children, etc., when all I'm doing is trying to pass. I hear there are more & more pet friendly cafes around, so I'll just steer clear for all the reasons mentioned above, especially hygiene & safety

MawBroon, "I think we digressed into general doggy problems.....the sort that puts some of us off being around dogs" is hardly a rant, merely a response to your observation about the theme of the original thread opening out into general commentary about related issues. Generally speaking I'm an advocate for tolerance and consideration for others. However, I see no reason for anyone to tolerate being scared and/or bitten by other people's dogs - if you perceive that as a rant, well you're entitled to your opinion, as are all of us.

I agree with you, supersal

My poodle used to accompany me to the local cafe but we always sat outside and he was curled up on my knee and no bother to anyone. Sadly, he died nine months after DH died. He pined for him. I've never seen such a depressed little dog.

I now have a rescued Sicilian street dog who, as much as I love him, I would not dream of inflicting on the restaurant-going public. He's the size of a small pony and his manners leave a lot to be desired.

I also understand that not everyone loves dogs. When we had our restaurant, we accepted well behaved dogs outside on the terrace and never had any complaints.

Dogs ? I love my dogs, they are family. I've already said I'm responsible about them when it comes to public spaces. The idea though, of forbidding them from hanging out in the kitchen horrifies me. The kitchen is the largest room in our home. It's where everyone congregates. The dogs know if they lie quietly on their mat, treats may appear and the will be praised. They may be banished to the utility, if we are a large group eating child safety gate in place so they aren't totally excluded.
I accept not everyone wants to share their life with dogs. I do ?

Where we live in Sweden dogs except guide dogs, are fobidden in all eating places. I like coming to the UK and seeing dogs in pubs, it always amuses me, they are always so well behaved.

Not even Lady and the Tramp?

Very dogmatic Lily!!

Dogs should not be in restaurants.

Like this?

We once took two border collies to the Cafe De Paris in Monte Carlo and nobody minded at all. The waiters didn't stroke them though.

I think we digressed into general doggy problems.....the sort that puts some of us off being around dogs.

Thinly disguised as a general rant about dogs
"Give a dog a bad name?"

I understand paddyann that you would be put off by dogs in that eaterie. We have a small dog that goes with us on days out and we always search for a pub/cafe that has outside tables so that the dog is not left in a hot car. We've noticed recently that dogs are welcome inside lots of places, but they usually have a designated area, so you may find that is the case with the restaurant you want to try. I'm sure if you spoke to the proprietor that you may be able to have a table away from any pooches.