Much loved dogs in France

Chiens (dogs) are very popular in France.   They are a cultural thing; petted, pampered, indulged, loved, and taken everywhere - into restaurants, on public transport, in bags, on bicycle trailers.  Apparently the French have more pets per head than any other nation, with the most popular pet being the poodle.   They usually  prefer their dogs to be small, cute and petite.   And well behaved. Fascinating.

It is most unusual to see a large dog such as this one, a German Shepherd I think.   It was really feeling the heat too, and panting madly.

I am always fascinated by the French Bulldog, with its pointy ears, which were bred by lace makers in the 1800s, and who originated in the time of the Molassians, an Ancient Greek tribe (Wikipedia).  A dog with plenty of character.   One of our French neighbours at the campsite had one last year, and it was thoroughly spoiled and pampered, even down to the airconditioned van where it spent much if its time during the hot weather.

Yesterday we found a special dog's beach, where they are allowed to swim during the summer time,

and afterwards be washed down by the shower.   The little dog in this picture was not happy to be under the shower, and came out looking like a very skinny rat.

But there is a downside to all this doggy love, and that is the doggy poo, which is not as prevalent as it used to be, but still there, to be collected on the bottom of the shoes, if one is not careful.    Marseille, is full of it, and surprisingly so is St Tropez, the glitzy, glamerous and expensive town down here, the home of the rich.   On the side of the hill, behind the shops of St Tropez, there is a park, and the area is just littered with doggy poo, and it smells just awful, not helped by the adult male, whilst walking his dog no doubt, and using the area as an urinal.   Disgusting.  

But there is help at hand, with the little machine, which vacums up all rubbish, including the dried doggy poo.   No wonder the streets in Le Lavandou look so clean.   A daily job no doubt.

And full marks to this lady, walking her little Yorkshire Terrier, as she has her plastic bag in her hand, and hopefully uses it.

And finally, dogs in restaurants, where they are usually given a bowl of water by the restaurant owners.  The dogs are always perfectly behaved, and are usually happy to lie at their owner's feet, under the table.   But sometimes they get fed some of their owner's food, by hand, and discretely of course.   In one restaurant, the owners ordered a Daube du Boef, just for their little dog.   As the dog could not eat it all, it was only a small terrier, the owners picked at what was left.   Totally amazing.   Can you imagine this happening in the UK, or Australia, or NZ, or in fact most countries.

But this is France, after all, where dogs are adored, and accepted, and are an important part of the culture of the country.