Out and about together
Forests, alpine meadows and paths that smell of a thousand scents: hardly any holiday makes dogs happier. Choose tours that suit your dog's fitness and age – rather leisurely with breaks than sporty with stress.
Well prepared
Into the mountains with a dog, relaxed
Short tips on water, warmth, paths and grazing animals – helpful, without turning it into half a dog book.
The nice sides first
Mountains are a dog's happiness
Space at last
Around many huts there are meadows and forest edges for the daily round. Out in the morning before breakfast, once again in the evening – that way your dog really settles into the holiday.
Switching off together
After the day outdoors, doing nothing together is part of it: the hut bench, a blanket, dusk. Your dog also needs rest periods on holiday – plan them deliberately.
Water & warmth
Drinking, shade, paws
Take water and a folding bowl for your dog on every tour – streams are not reliable everywhere. On warm days it is best to hike early in the morning or towards evening and take breaks in the shade.
Think of the paws too: stony paths and sun-hot rocks are more demanding than meadow trails. Panting, dawdling or lying down frequently are clear signs that a break is needed.
„Your dog keeps going for you, even when it has long had enough. Look twice."
The most important thing in the mountains
Dogs and grazing cattle on the alpine pasture
Distance is everything
Cows see dogs as a threat – especially mother cows with calves. Always keep a clear distance from the herd, never cross straight through it and stay on the path. If a herd seems restless, it is better to go around it at a wide distance.
The most important emergency tip
If a cow really does attack: let go of the leash. Your dog can usually get out of the way faster – if it stays tied to you, you more easily become the focus of the grazing animal yourself. That sounds harsh, but it is the official recommendation for alpine paths.
Source and further information: Österreichischer Alpenverein – Sichere Begegnungen mit Weidetieren
Stay calm
Do not shout, do not run, no hectic movements. Move on calmly and briskly, with the dog kept short and under control on your downhill side.
Wild animals
Roe deer, marmots and ground-nesting birds react sensitively to chasing dogs. In forest and meadow the rule is: the dog in sight and recallable – or on the leash.
Good to know
The leash requirement differs depending on the holiday location
In Austria the rules differ according to federal province (Bundesland), municipality and protected area. Observe the signs on site and also inform yourself about the rules at your holiday location.
Our advice for the mountains: with grazing cattle, wild animals, at places with poor visibility and everywhere your dog is not reliably recallable, the leash stays on.
Please take this seriously
Dog faeces do not belong on pastures and meadows
Why this is so important
Alpine meadows and fields are not a green verge – they are fodder for cows, sheep and goats. Dog faeces can contain pathogens that get into the fodder via grass and hay and can cause serious illnesses and miscarriages in grazing cattle.
This is how you do it right
Always have a bag (Sackerl) with you, collect the faeces – also at the side of the path and also in the middle of the alpine pasture – and dispose of them in the next rubbish bin. A full bag left at the side of the path „for later" does not count: it almost always stays there.
The deal is that simple: the farmers share their most beautiful meadows and paths with us – we leave nothing behind. That is exactly why dogs are welcome with our hosts.
In the hut
So that dogs remain welcome
The rules differ depending on the accommodation. With many hosts, beds and sofas stay dog-free. Some also do not allow the dog to stay alone in the accommodation.
It is therefore best to bring your own blanket or the familiar dog basket. You will find the exact rules at the accommodation – or we clarify them with the host before your booking.
Practical
The small packing list for your dog
Ready for the mountains with a dog?
Here you will find all huts and holiday houses in which your dog is welcome – or you ask us directly.