As is the case everywhere you go in rural Portugal you possibly meet more dogs along the way than people. They are and undeniable part of the hiking experience and it is in the hikers interest to bring some dog cookies and a walking stick. During the first Caminho do Dão we did not meet a single free roaming dog but many dogs on chains, behind fences or near their owners who were working in the field. Most dogs we passed were begging for some love and attention which we were happy to give including some cookies 🙂
The picture on the left was taken in Dornelas as we walked through the village and was the first of what I hope can become a series of 'Dogs of the Dão valley'.
