Holiday home in the Veluwe with dog

The accessibility for dogs varies by manager, which can be confusing. In National Park De Hoge Veluwe (the part with the white bicycles) dogs are welcome, but they must always be on a short leash and are not allowed loose anywhere. If you are looking for places where the dog has more space, look at the areas of Staatsbosbeheer around Nunspeet and Epe. There you will find many holiday homes in the Veluwe that are close to dog woods with no wild fencing in between. In the Veluwezoom, dogs are allowed on many trails, but be alert to the Scottish Highlanders and ponies that roam freely there. These animals sometimes react violently to dogs, so always keep at least 25 meters distance. For a walk that doesn't require you to pay attention to the signs all the time, the forest rangers at Ugchelen and Hoenderloo are the best choice.

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A garden that is really closed is a hard requirement for most dog owners. On the Veluwe, this is extra important because the smell of wildlife, such as deer and boar, can encourage dogs to escape. Many dog-friendly holiday homes have fenced yards, but the height and material vary among owners. An 80-centimeter fence will not stop an active dog, so always check with the landlord. There are parks near Voorthuizen and Putten that have special "dog cottages" where the garden is fenced off with sturdy wire mesh at least 1.20 meters high. This gives you a chance to relax yourself without having to check where the dog is every minute. Also pay attention to whether the garden is directly adjacent to the forest or if there is a road in between, which affects the stimuli your dog receives.

The Veluwe has a number of places where dogs are allowed to run loose all year round. The Kootwijkerzand is the most famous spot; a huge expanse of sand where your dog can make meters in the sand without getting in the way of other hikers. Another good option is the dog forest near the Leesten (Apeldoorn), where there is a fenced wet-nosed trail of several kilometers. If you are staying in one of the nature cottages in the Veluwe, you often have direct access to these kinds of areas. Just keep in mind that the rules are stricter during the breeding season (from March 15 to July 15). During that period, dogs must be leashed in more places to spare breeding birds. Specific zones marked with signs also apply at sand drifts such as the Haere near Doornspijk.

Hiking in the Veluwe means that you can come face to face with red deer or wild boar. Especially at dusk, the risk of an encounter is high. If your dog has a strong hunting instinct, a long tow line of 10 meters is recommended. This way the dog still has freedom of movement, but cannot chase a deer. In the fall, during the rutting season, red deer can react unpredictably to dogs. It is also good to know that wild boars with piglets are very protective in the spring. Stay on the trails and keep the dog short if you see it getting restless or starting to sniff the ground.

In addition to the cottage rental, almost everywhere you pay an additional fee per dog per night. This is usually between 5 and 10 euros and is intended for the extra cleaning required after your stay. In the summer months, don't forget the ticks; due to the large amount of wildlife on the Veluwe, these are everywhere in the grass and ferns. So a good tick tool in the bag is not a luxury during your walks. Want to grab a terrace somewhere afterwards? In most villages like Garderen and Elspeet they are not difficult about dogs, as long as they stay quietly under the table and do not bother other guests.