Italians love Jack Russell Terriers. They are everywhere. It seems at least 65-70% of the dogs we see are Jack Russells, the next most being Chihuahuas, then Cavalier Prince Charles Spaniels, and finally golden labs. Of course we’ve seen a few other dogs, mainly small ones; poodles, lhasa apsos, yorkies, Pomeranians, and a pug or two. In the small town of Torre Orsina (about 250 people) where we started our trip, of the 7 or 8 dogs we saw, 5 were Jack Russells. Now in Florence they seem to be the main breed too.
They always look like such a happy little dog and all the ones we’ve seen have been rather well behaved. Although one shop owner did tell me not to pet her Jack Russell that was lying on the counter since he may bite – it just depended on his mood. I wasn’t planning on petting him anyway – I watch the Dog Whisperer and know you never pet a strange dog.
Italians don’t dress their little dogs like Americans do. They may have a nice collar or a very fashionable leather leash, but no clothes. Well, there was a homeless guy that had a dog wearing a pair of boxer shorts, but I sort of got the sense the dog was just wearing them as an extra pair for his owner.
Italians take their dogs into stores and on the trains and buses. It’s common to see a dog just inside a grocery store tied to something as the owner does the shopping, the dog just patiently waiting for their owners.
The one thing though that is a bit annoying is no one cleans up after their dogs. The city center of Florence is all sidewalks (not wide sidewalks either) and that’s where the dogs end up doing their business. So often times you have to navigate through the minefield left behind. Thankfully I haven’t stepped in any yet but I did step in a puddle of horse pee that splashed on my shoes the first night we were here. I use 3 different cleaners and aired them by the windows for day before I got the stench out. I now make sure I step in no wet spot at all, especially in the Piazza della Signoria and in front of the Duomo where all the horse carriage rides begin.
We did see one bizarre sight of a girl taking her African grey parrot out for a walk. She did not have it on her shoulder like I’ve seen a few people do. This parrot was in a cage strapped to her back like a backpack. She was wondering around the quiet back streets and even into an art gallery with her feathered friend in tow.
Italians don’t dress their little dogs like Americans do. They may have a nice collar or a very fashionable leather leash, but no clothes. Well, there was a homeless guy that had a dog wearing a pair of boxer shorts, but I sort of got the sense the dog was just wearing them as an extra pair for his owner.
Italians take their dogs into stores and on the trains and buses. It’s common to see a dog just inside a grocery store tied to something as the owner does the shopping, the dog just patiently waiting for their owners.
The one thing though that is a bit annoying is no one cleans up after their dogs. The city center of Florence is all sidewalks (not wide sidewalks either) and that’s where the dogs end up doing their business. So often times you have to navigate through the minefield left behind. Thankfully I haven’t stepped in any yet but I did step in a puddle of horse pee that splashed on my shoes the first night we were here. I use 3 different cleaners and aired them by the windows for day before I got the stench out. I now make sure I step in no wet spot at all, especially in the Piazza della Signoria and in front of the Duomo where all the horse carriage rides begin.
We did see one bizarre sight of a girl taking her African grey parrot out for a walk. She did not have it on her shoulder like I’ve seen a few people do. This parrot was in a cage strapped to her back like a backpack. She was wondering around the quiet back streets and even into an art gallery with her feathered friend in tow.