Why are dogs not allowed on the beaches?
Do you know great beaches but a sign prohibits you from accessing them with your dog? Why are some beaches closed to dogs? In this article, you will find out why dogs are sometimes refused at the beach.
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Going to the beach with Musher was a big dream of mine before she joined the family. How disillusioned I was when I realized that dogs were not allowed on the majority of French beaches!
Depending on the municipalities, some beaches are completely closed to dogs. Other beaches refuse dogs during the summer season, or during the day.
I can reassure you right away, there are still beaches allowed for dogs! You will find their list at the bottom of this article.
Among dog owners, we often wonder the reason for these bans. I also asked myself the question, so I'm sharing with you in this article the different answers I found 😉
Dogs refused on beaches: priority given to humans
It is mainly in tourist areas that dogs are refused on the beaches. In fact, the beaches are quickly crowded in the summer season, and it becomes difficult to find a place. I am thinking in particular of the beaches in creeks or to the Côte d'Azur.
Even when they are not crowded, beaches may be closed to dogs. For these destinations, priority is given to humans, and especially tourists. Municipalities prefer to avoid any risk of disturbance due to a dog.
It must be recognized, some dogs have behavior that can disturb humans. They can bark, run, and even jump on people. We agree, it's not their fault, but it's up to their owner to make sure they behave! It's all about education. Despite the fact that many of us are responsible, it is understandable that dogs are refused on some beaches for these reasons.
For the record, when Musher was younger, she always rolled around in the sand like a crazy person after swimming. She would then start running around before stopping and shaking off. Once, she shook herself right next to 2 young girls sunbathing! They received a wave of wet sand, poor things! Fortunately, they took it as a joke. Musher looked so happy, they couldn't really blame her! Since then, I have been very careful because there is a risk of being argued with by unhappy people. And that would be quite normal.
Fear: reason for refusing dogs on beaches
Around dogs, there are mainly 2 schools: those who love doggies, and those who are afraid of them because they find them unpredictable. It is surely the presence of this second school which explains why dogs are refused on so many beaches.
Many people are actually afraid of dogs. Some have even been chased or bitten by one of them. We can therefore understand why dogs are refused on the beaches, so that these people can enjoy them without fear of an accident.
Urban artist some dogs can be aggressive, or too rough, and hurt someone. For fear of an accident, town halls can therefore prohibit access to their beaches for dogs.
In Italy, even on beaches allowed for dogs, they must be kept in leave alone. You must also bring a muzzle, in case the authorities ask you to give it to him.
It is therefore super important to train your dog from a young age! It’s not necessarily easy for them to accompany us everywhere. To help you have the best vacation with your dog, we have created a dog training guide 😀 As we are not dog trainers at EmmèneTonChien, we give you lots of addresses to find information and professionals suited to your situation!
Dog droppings on the beaches
One of the main reasons why dogs are refused access to beaches is that their droppings cause inconvenience, sometimes dangerous.
First of all, it is very unpleasant to spread your beach towel between two dog poops. It's also not pleasant to walk on a beach, checking where you step with each step, or even to have your children play in the sand. This makes the beach uncomfortable for everyone, and also reflects poorly on the destination.
Urban artist the collection of droppings by municipal services has a significant cost. In Besançon for example, it was estimated at nearly €70 per year! Okay, it's not a beach destination but it still gives you an idea of the budget... Some town halls therefore choose to refuse dogs on the beaches, in order to direct the budget towards something else.
dog droppings are responsible for water pollution. These then become unsuitable for swimming. This pollution also disrupts coastal ecosystems. Refusing dogs on the beaches would therefore help to protect biodiversity a little.
So it would be enough for EVERYONE to pick up their dog's poop 🙃 This would take a big step forward so that our dogs are better accepted on the beaches, but also in many other public places! So remember to always have dog waste bags, wherever you are with your dog 😉
Dogs at the beach: a danger for flora and wildlife
In addition to their droppings, the behavior of dogs can also be a danger for flora and wild fauna. I didn't know it, but there are lots of animals and plants that only live on coastlines. Some species are even protected!
Dogs sometimes have fun chasing birds, scratching in the sand or jumping in the water. This creates stress in the animals, which then reproduce less well. Additionally, the dog may bring bacteria or other dirt into the water from the shore. Unintentionally, it can harm fish, corals and therefore the coastal ecosystem!
Some birds make their nests in the sand. If dogs come to destroy their eggs, it is a real blow to their reproduction!
To guarantee the survival and reproduction of flora and fauna on the coast, dogs are simply refused on the beaches.
I'm lucky Musher isn't a hunter. She has never gone chasing a bird. On the other hand, she loves to explore! It could therefore very well come across a bird or rodent's nest, and destroy it. When I know there may be animals there, I keep her on a leash or call her back. We then go to another place so that she can explore at her leisure, and avoid getting frustrated!
Exceptions to the rule
Obviously, guide dogs and assistance dogs are the exceptions to the rule. They can in fact access beaches where other dogs are refused.
In the event of an inspection, you simply need to be able to present your “inclusion mobility” or “priority for disabled person” card, as well as your dog’s papers.
You now understand why dogs are not allowed on certain beaches! I was surprised to learn to what extent our dogs' droppings and behavior could disrupt biodiversity. I didn't think they could threaten biodiversity! I hope this article interested you as much as I did!
The reasons why dogs are refused on beaches are the same elsewhere in Europe. Indeed, dogs are never accepted everywhere, whether in Spain, Italy, Belgium or even Croatia. However, in these countries, you will still find beaches authorized for dogs, or even reserved for them!
If you want to know more about the rules to follow when taking your dog to the beach, I advise you our article on legislation and fines regarding dogs on beaches.
The beach with your dog can still be great times! To help you take advantage of it, we also have an article on precautions to take when taking your dog to the beach. And as promised, here it is list beaches allowed for dogs ! You can view them on a map by clicking on the “View map” button.
Wishing you a wonderfully wonderful vacation!