My wife and I are thinking of visiting the area in August. We travel with our little dachshund. In Northern Europe he is welcome almost everywhere, like a child would be. Can we expect the same in Greece?

TIA

It is interesting to read a dog owner's perception of how welcome his dog is nearly everywhere. It is correct that people in many European countries accept dogs in restaurants but I would not call it "welcome", and many people in a restaurant to not find it very pleasing to have a dog under the table (as most do not stay there), and sometimes there are even complaints. I have friends who also have a friendly dachshund, and sometimes other guests in restaurants are pleased to see this dog but the majority are not. And please, do not compare dogs to children! At least they pay our superannuation later, even if they are rowdy in restaurants when they are young... In New Zealand where I live now BTW dogs in restaurants would be absolutely unacceptable. People leave them at home, so they can annoy the neighbours in the meantime...

Hi! many of the tavernas in Symi are quite relaxed, so you shouldn't have any problems with a well behaved dog - many have outside terraces, so it's not the same as being in an enclosed area.

Some pensions/ hotels don't allow pets.

Try www.symivisitor.co for info re specific restaurants/ tavernas/ accommodation.


I was quite surprised to see dogs being taken into restaurants in Venice during my recent visits, but there was no problem.(In the UK, dogs aren't allowed in restaurants, unless they are seeing / hearing dogs etc.)

The only problem in Symi (and other Greek Islands) might be from the many resident felines who might get a bit sniffy with canines intruding their territory!

Happy Travelling,
Sue x

You are entitled to your opinion. And I would never compare dogs to children. As I love my dog and would not want to insult him. Cleaner, quieter, better behaved, and is not subsidized by others as children are.

Hi. This is the kind of response I was looking for. My guy can be crated and will sleep in the room when not appropriate to take him. Where we live now we are used to picking outdoor dining venues so your view makes it sound much the same. I take from your assessment that there is no cultural taboo or anything like that. I don't mind annoying a kiwi that thinks her kids are gods, I just want to be culturally sensitive.

Hi again - Many of the locals and ex-pats on Symi own dogs as pets, or are animal lovers.

There is an active Animal Welfare charity on the Island, with collection boxes in various bars and shops. This money goes towards funding a vet who visits annually to neuter the stray cats and dogs etc.

I'm sure your dog will be well received, and will no doubt be spoiled with lots of cuddles and sneaked food scraps from locals and visiters.

There are plenty of Tavernas and restaurants with tables outside around the harbour (Yialos) and in Chorio, at the top of the Kali Strata (Where there is less traffic). Pedi had a couple of Tavernas too.
I've not been to Symi since 2003, so there are probably even more places to eat.

Best Wishes,
Sue x

LOL

Just for your information: I am no Kiwi, I have no kids, and I do not adore kids at all - and if your dog is well behaved nobody has a problem with it, not even I. The only problem normally are dog owners who do not train their dogs (and unfortunately they are the majority), so they do not annoy other people who do not want to cuddle a dog, or play with a dog, or get licked by it, or who are afraid of dogs, who do not want to have their neighbour's dog's dropping in their garden, or be waken up by endlessly barking dogs... If nothing of this applies to you I applaud you.

LOLOL!
Fair enough! Your clarification sounds very much like how I feel about peoples spawn. Though I am SURE that the vast majority of breeders are quite happy to inflict the horrors of children on everybody within ear and germshot. I carry poo bags and a muzzle with me when I have my dog. He is always on a leash when we are around people too. He's just too friendly to let him go!

HAND,
Bob

Oh, thank you - you really seem to be one of the few sensible dog owners. I think not more than 10 per cent act like that - according to my private statistics of my slalom walks around dog poo ;-)

I just want to point out that in most cases dogs are just accepted and not welcomed - for the discussed reasons. And your poor dachshund has to wear a muzzle for all the discussed reasons!

He doesn't usually have to wear the muzzle. He's pretty well behaved. But I have it just in case.