Puglia with a dog

Two hectares of countryside, not a fenced garden

Corni di Fiasco is surrounded by two hectares of private land: centuries-old olive trees, figs, almonds, dry-stone walls, and the Mediterranean scrub slowly taking back its ground. Nothing is shared with other guests. For a dog, it is a paradise of smells.

But this is real countryside, not an enclosed lawn. The property is only partly fenced, and the land around it has its own residents, wild and otherwise: animals that live among the walls and the scrub, and flocks of sheep and goats that graze among the olive trees in winter. A dog that sets off after a scent does not stop at the boundary. So we ask you never to let it roam outside on its own, and to keep it close when a flock goes by.

The house rules for dogs

Few, and plainly put. They are the same ones we would write for a friend coming to stay with their dog.

Tell us when you book, and tell us about your dog: size, age, temperament. If you are travelling with more than one dog, let us know and we will talk it over. There is no extra charge.

Always supervised, indoors and out.

No beds and no sofas. Bring its things, the blanket, the bed, the bowls: it will feel at home straight away.

Pick up after it in the garden, as you would in town. The countryside belongs to everyone who comes along after you.

Not in the pool. The house has a private pool, and dogs are welcome, just not in the water: for a swim, there is the sea. It is not a matter of trust: chlorine is not good for them, hair clogs the filters, and whoever comes after you should find the water just as you found it.

Any damage caused by the dog is the responsibility of whoever brings it, as stated in the rental agreement.

Dogs on the beach: dog-friendly beaches in Puglia

In Puglia, dogs’ access to beaches is governed by a regional law of 2018. The principle is simple: dogs with their owners may go on the beach. Every year, by 30 March, each municipality lists the public beaches where animals are not allowed, but it must still leave at least one stretch open to dogs, and say whether a lead is required. Beach clubs decide for themselves, and some set up a dog area with water and shade.

The conditions apply everywhere: vaccinations up to date and a microchip; the dog must not be aggressive; no females on heat; the dog is never left unattended and stays close to you or within your own umbrella space.

On the beach, look for the signs: spiaggia per cani or area cani means dogs are allowed, divieto di accesso ai cani means they must stay off. Some beach clubs along the coast accept dogs: ask first.

From mid-September to May, once the bathing season is over, the beach clubs are closed and the public beaches are almost empty. It is the best time for a dog: kilometres of sand, and at most a fisherman with his rod.

In summer, check the signs at the entrance to the beach and the municipal ordinance: every year it marks the stretches where dogs are allowed.

The dunes are a protected habitat: you walk on the boardwalks, and the dog stays on a lead, so it does not dig or disturb the birds that live among the dunes. All the beaches nearby, with driving times, are on the page about beaches near Maruggio.

The seasons, from a dog’s point of view

Winter is the dog’s season. The beaches are empty, the air is cool, and in winter the countryside turns green: here the seasons run the other way, and with the first rains the grass and the flowers come back. In the evening there is the fireplace, and no dog fails to find it within ten minutes. From 1 November to 25 March the house opens for long stays, up to four weeks: more on the winter page.

Spring and autumn are the seasons for long walks, along the shore and among the olive trees; we describe them month by month in spring and autumn. One thing to watch for, at the end of winter and in spring: processionary caterpillars, which come down from the pine trees in single file. Their hairs are irritant, and they can be dangerous for a dog that sniffs them. Away from the pines, no problem; in the pine woods, keep the lead short.

Summer is the hardest season. The heat in July and August is serious: walks happen at dawn and after sunset, midday sand burns paws, and you always carry fresh water. From May to September, dry grass seeds work their way into ears, noses and between toes: after every walk in long grass, check your dog over. Indoors, the thick stone walls keep it cool, and every room has air conditioning.

Before you travel: documents from the EU and the UK

Documents. To enter Italy from another EU country, your dog needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, and an EU pet passport. From the UK you need an Animal Health Certificate instead, issued by a vet a few days before you leave. Many people come by car, on the ferry or through the Channel Tunnel: you need the certificate that way too. The rules change: check them on your country’s official website before you book your journey.

Leishmaniasis. In southern Italy, from May to October, sandflies can transmit leishmaniasis. Ask your vet about suitable protection before you leave, and keep the dog indoors in the evening.

The vet. If you need one, we can recommend one on WhatsApp.

At restaurants. There is no general ban in Italy: it is up to whoever runs the place, and at outdoor tables dogs are almost always welcome. Asking first is good manners.