House of the Doggo
Casa del Doggo is one of several spaces centered on the canine universe that are emerging in the French capital
Dog-friendly cafes and pastry shops are mushrooming across the French capital, where around 100,000 dogs live, giving four-legged customers and their owners the opportunity to indulge side by side.
An elegant, white-haired Parisian savors every last crumb of a creamy cookie-and-apple-flavored cloud in one of the French capital’s many patisseries — but This special client has four legsnot two.
Linksa friendly furry Pomeranian, lets out a satisfied “woof” after devouring a “The Wonderful” of 5 eurosmade with banana puree, cream cheese, apple and beef.
The one-year-old dog is regular customer of this pastry shop for dogs, where the treats lined up under a glass counter — like the heart-shaped “Le Mignon”, made with sweet potato, cream cheese and blueberries — look almost appetizing enough to be eaten by humans.
The French Clara Zambuto told AFP that it was the adoption of Hulkher three-year-old Pomeranian, who inspired her to open this bakery designed for dogs, where pets and owners can indulge together.
“I used to go for a walk with him… go into a café like a true Parisian, but he quickly got bored”, recalls the 26-year-old owner of .
“I thought it was a shame that there weren’t places in Paris where, while having a coffee in a hurry, you can also give a treat to the pet,” he added. “Nowadays, our dog is really like a son… we want to be able to take it with us everywhere.”
The pastry shop is one of several spaces centered on the canine universe that are emerging in the French capital, where live around 100 thousand dogsand where, according to some, the needs of animals continue to be ignored.
Fruits She started by preparing the treats herself at home, before enlisting the help of a professional pastry chef. “No chocolatewithout avocado, without grapes and without onion”, he explained, as they are toxic foods for dogs.
As with humans, here too moderation is essential to avoid excess weight, emphasizes Lolita Summaryveterinarian specializing in canine and feline nutrition.
“If you went to a pastry shop, you need to adjust your next mealcut a little, or make them move more”, he stated. “But, if it is once a monthno problem.”
In another dog cafe, the animals circulate freely on a terrace with banks, while some bite 4 euro treats in the form of a croissant and a baguette. Marleyan American shepherd wearing a beret, licks the remains of a “pup cup” made of whipped cream on the sidewalk.
To Rebecca Anhaltthe decision to open his “dog-first” cafe came after he was target of a heavy fine for letting Napoleon, her five-year-old whippet, walk off-leash in a park.
“I wanted to create a space where people could come without fear… of being reprimanded for having the dog with them”, said the owner, born in the United States, in a play on the nickname of the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
Although Paris has more than 40 spaces where dogs can walk off-leash, the Paris Condition Canine association argues that the available places are “insufficient, poorly distributed and, at times, inadequate”.
Dogs even became niche theme before the March municipal elections. The new mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Grégoirededicated an Instagram account to photographs with canine companions, while the rival Rachida Data organized a “pero” dedicated to dogs.
To Sarah Elgamalowner and self-proclaimed “mother” of Linkstrips to the Casa del Doggo pastry shop offer more than just treats: they are also an opportunity to strengthen your bond with your dog.
“Improve our connection, because we are both in a third space that is neither work nor home,” said the 32-year-old pharmacist.
And, although dogs are the priority at his cafe, Anhalt said that many visitors also go there for the chance to mingle with other pet owners. “Dogs are an excellent bond”, he stated.
A regular customer and his 17-year-old dachshund, who recently arrived in Paris, now go to the cafe every day to “be part of the group and meet people,” says Anhalt. In the end, “talk to anyone about your dog”.
