A Dog's Life in Bordeaux!

Duffy enjoying her favourite place

​Many of our relocating clients are travelling with their four legged friends and we are often asked about where to find specific brands of dog food, the best local dog walks, do’s and don’t for dog owners in Bordeaux, recommended veterinary clinics and so on.  Whilst this is, by no means, a definitive guide, as dog owners ourselves we thought we’d share some of our recommendations and experiences.
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The Gourmet Woof
The BordeauxLife dogs are all fussy eaters (read spoilt!) and supermarket food just doesn’t cut the dijon with them. Duffy (a “too smart for her own good” Berger Picard) has finally decided that the Belgian brand Edgard Cooper is her preferred choice, whilst Wogie (a wise and wonderful Black Labrador) heads more in the direction of Lily’s Kitchen, interspersed with medium rare steak hache and the odd boiled chicken breast.

Neither of these brands are available in supermarkets (of course!).  Edgard Cooper can be bought directly from the supplier whilst Lily’s Kitchen is often available at J'ai Plus de Croquettes - a wonderful, pet friendly store in Merignac or via Wanimo.  Many garden centres have also started stocking the more “up-market” brands and your vet is also a good starting point but it is definitely worth shopping around to find the best price.

The Active Woof  
Both the BordeauxLife hounds love a good walk.  Wogie is a well trained, elderly gentleman and enjoys his daily walks around some of the local parks.  The Jardin Public is lovely and has the added bonus of a dog run for some extra socialising.  Parc Bordelais is perfect for a long walk but best avoided if your dog has a strong prey instinct. There are literally hundreds of rabbits there and a walk here with Duffy would result in an urgent appointment with the osteopath!  Duffy’s favourite walks are in Parc Bourran where she can commune with the geese, or in Bois du Burck - both are in Merignac but top of her list is a trip to the beach (off-season only) - chasing sand is the best thing ever.  We also love a walk along the Quay de Bordeaux, often with a stop for a little refreshment - for both dog and owner.

Almost all parks in Bordeaux have free poo-bags at the entrance but it’s always a good idea to carry your own just in case they run out as it’s never a good idea to get caught short!

The Social Woof
There are approximately 1 dog to 4 people in Bordeaux and this makes for a dog-friendly city.  Many restaurants welcome our furry friends and are happy to provide a bowl of water and a shady spot.  Our favourites are: Le Chien de Pavlov - a fabulous, traditional French bistro in the centre of town; Alma - perfect for a post-Quay walk; La Tupina - better to eat first and then walk off the calories!  To be honest the list is loooooong. There are so many options but if you are planning to eat inside then it’s always good to call and check first.

The Knowledgeable Woof
Okay - so our “woofs” aren’t that clued up really but did you know that you can take your dogs on public transport (not categories 1 & 2 - sorry!).  Trams, buses and even the Bat Cub boats welcome dogs.

Whilst we are always hesitant to recommend medical professionals - everyone has their own view on what they prefer, we are often asked about the availability of English speaking vets in Bordeaux.  Cristina Escudero in Pey Berland speaks English (05 57 85 95 55) and Clinique Veterinaire Alliance also has a couple of English speakers.

In our experience, many boarding kennels in the area have not always lived up to our expectations, however, if like us, you see your dogs as an extension of your family then a drive out of town to Les Chenils du Marmandais where Sue and Lee look after your dogs as if they were their own is your best bet.  Alternatively, signing up to sites such as Trusted Housesitters really is the next best thing.

If your woof needs more than a quick brush and scrub in the shower then J’ai Plus de Croquettes also provide dog grooming services and there are a few mobile groomers starting up around Bordeaux who will come directly to your house.

If you are planning a move to Bordeaux or the surrounding areas with (or without) your pets then please get in touch with us - we’ve been there, done that and would be delighted to help with everything from advising on current travel requirements; finding the perfect home for you, your family and your four-legged companions and everything else in between.

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Wogie - just chilling