Bom Dia,
We are planning a move to Portugal in late Summer of 2027 from rural Vermont USA. Things are always changing but we will likely be in Porto north of the Duoro maybe in Campanhã parish. We have two large dogs, that love to run and hike and generally get to be free all day here in Vermont. What is life like for large dogs in Porto. Both are friendly with people and other dogs. Both weight about 30kg. How do people exercise their pets in Porto? Are their off leash dog parks? Can I let them off leash in main parks? What about the occasional train ride to the country side? Any help and first hand experiences would be welcome. Obrigado, até a próxima.
Campanhã is one of the largest frequesias of Porto city. On the western side, nearer the centro, it is very densely populated and the roads are always busy/jammed because the Campanhã station is the main station of the city. Living in this part of Campanhã is going to be difficult for a family with 2 large dogs. The eastern side of the frequesia has more open spaces and is a bit less crowded. There is a large-ish city park there, but I don’t know if there is an off-leash dog park. As a general rule, dogs must be leashed in the city. Keep in mind that in the city, apartments are small, tend to be chopped up with several smaller rooms, and often in buildings w/o elevators. With 2 large dogs, you may have better luck looking to the east, in districts like Gondomar. Those tend to be more rural with more selection of single family homes or duplexes with yards. I have never seen large dogs on a CP train, except of course support dogs. THat doesn’t mean CP doesn’t permit them. Best to check directly on the CP website. The good news here is that veterinary docs and facilities are excellent and abundant.
Obrigado Doug, I appreciate your help.