How dog-friendly is Budapest?

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

.....
I do know she was often hassled when we walked them, some people would yell at her when they relieved themselves on the sidewalks....

I'd be one of those shouting as well.  There's a lot of selfishness going on here. It seems dogs are more important than people sometimes.

There's a grassy area outside my apartment building I have to cross to get to my car which many local dog people believe is an ideal place to let their dogs do their business. 

I've had dog doo on my shoes and on my car carpets more times that I care to remember.

They should take their dogs to the countryside for that kind of thing.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

I do not think it is kind or fair to keep a dog a prisoner of a flat in the city.
They should have access to grass and fields, be free to roam in their own safe space without fear of other stray dogs, crazy people who enjoy hurting them or boredom....It is verging on cruelty to keep them in a flat.

Totally agree.  However, when I am out on my MTB (Mountain Bike), I see guards dogs on forest/country lots left alone, probably for days  on end with no company, just a bit of food and a bucket of water.  Mrs Fluffy  tells me many people think animals are objects, not living creatures.

beachboy20 wrote:

Hi
I just returnd from budapest yesturday after being there for a week and i was so surprised to see lots of people with lovley behaved dogs, hundreds in the park and the same on the streets being walked by their owners.  I  have being to lots of places around the world and seen issues with street dogs being beating by people mainly thailand where i had to get involed.  I did not see one street dog in budapest.  Lots of homeless people with dogs was so sad.  Many bars and resturants are dog freindly and supply bowls toys and blankets for your dogs,  it was great to see all the  dog cafes and many in bars til 1am.  I was really surprised by this and so possitive.  I come from Ireland and i dont see this in my country..

The situation in Hungary is not all rosy.

Many city dogs undergo training here - we have two dog training schools here in a small village.  But there are some real idiots with dogs who care about them more than children.  They let them do their business anyway they want and do not clean up after them. 

The situation has improved considerably since the mid-1990s when there were packs of dogs roaming around in the forest.   The situation in Budapest is considerably better than it was in Romania (dogs were going to be shot on sight until Bridget Bardot interfered) or Russia (stray dogs  believed shot on sight).

In the countryside, dogs are considered "tools" or "objects" and are generally untrained.  If a dog gets sick they won't take it to a vet.  Same for cats.  Other animals like pigs, cows and horse will get seen by a vet (as more valuable or economic asset).

BTW, rabies is endemic in Hungary but people are rarely affected.   Dogs left as guards on property do get bitten by passing rabid foxes, die and then are buried in the garden and the incident is unreported.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

Judging by the rivers of urine all over the sidewalks I would guess at least in the city people are very dog friendly.
Sorry I love dogs but after stepping into a few puddles and a few bombs by accident, I find the owners to be a problem not the dogs.

I agree that it is too easy to find trails of urine throughout the city, but I often find it difficult to discern between the dogs and the homeless or drunks urinating in the streets.  Often I see spilled beverages as well, beer or some such, by way of guessing.

When I walk my dog and she has to go "on the street", as opposed to a dog park or other grassy area, I always try to get her to pee on soil.  Plenty of trees and grass lanes throughout the city.  Male dogs, however, mark for scent and are much more difficult to control that way.  Not making excuses for those of you with male dogs, just a canine behavioral fact.

In other news, I asked my friend about male dogs in Hungary being neutered. I would say about 90% of the male dogs I see are intact. This runs contrary to common sense and "official" Hungarian policy (or are they simply guidelines?). Her reply was that Hungarian men may feel a kinship with the dog and may not want to neuter them because it would make them "less male" or otherwise injure them somehow. Or even a male solidarity "bond of balls", if you will. What nonsense!  This type of idiotic attitude can't change fast enough in my mind.