Morning duels with Florence's gate dogs

A peaceful morning stroll in the Tuscan valley can quickly descend into what feels like a gladiatorial gate dog fight, especially when you find yourself wandering down the picturesque back streets on the outskirts of Florence. These areas, nestled among olive groves and vineyards, seem serene at first glance but beware, appearances can be deceiving.

Ours reads: Attenti Ai Gatti (beware of the cats)

Dogs!!

Here is a prime example of three very big and bored dogs having fun with Daisy and me, first thing.

Florence, like much of Tuscany, is home to beautiful villas and farmhouses that boast expansive gardens and sprawling driveways. These properties are often guarded by loyal and highly trained dogs, many of whom come from centuries old breeds developed specifically for protection. Breeds such as the Maremma Sheepdog and the Cane Corso, which have roots in Italy, are not just companions but formidable guardians. The Maremma Sheepdog, for example, was originally bred to protect livestock from wolves in the rugged Apennine mountains, and their protective instincts remain razor sharp.

Even if you have no intention of trespassing on private property, the dogs patrolling these gates do not know that. Fiercely loyal to their owners, they often work in pairs or small groups, patrolling their territory with military precision. Their owners, seemingly unfazed, might be seen pottering about in their gardens while their dogs unleash a cacophony of barks, determined to protect their domain from even the most innocent passerby. The driveway gates become your saving grace, the thin metal barrier separating you from what feels like a potential mauling (albeit only metaphorically, of course).

Daisy, however, sees things differently. Her daily routine of antagonising these vigilant gatekeepers has become something of a ritual. Watching her stir them up, only to merrily trot off down the lane, is a source of endless amusement, especially at six thirty in the morning, when the owners are likely still asleep. There is a certain poetic justice in the sound of retaliatory barking reverberating through the still air, ensuring an early start for everyone in the vicinity.

One of the loudest locally

The sight of the villa owners calmly tending to their flowerbeds, seemingly unbothered by the symphony of barking their dogs are conducting, can be both amusing and infuriating, especially when you are left nursing an early morning headache from the sheer volume.

Another early morning maniac

It is worth noting that the use of guard dogs in rural areas like these is not just a cultural quirk but a necessity. Many villas are located in isolated areas where human security is impractical, and dogs offer both a deterrent to potential intruders and a sense of safety to their owners. These animals are often highly intelligent, trained to distinguish between real threats and harmless passersby, though their enthusiasm sometimes gets the better of them.

So cute, but so not!

Florence’s outskirts, with their idyllic scenery, may seem like the perfect spot for a tranquil walk, but remember to tread carefully. These dogs may look picturesque behind their gates, but they are carrying out an ancient duty, protecting their homes with unwavering dedication, which is a tad annoying when walking the dog in the early hours with a Christmas hangover.