Dog-friendly establishments?

The majority of Virgin Island residents have a very different view of dogs in public spaces than it sounds like you are used to in AZ - Many dogs here are owned for home protection - even walking with your dog on a leash in most places here may make quite a few folks uncomfortable - some beaches are more dog friendly but having any dog running free is considered somewhat rude or threatening in some cases.

I probably should have mentioned that I have a 6lb Chihuahua. 🙂

However, I do see your point, and I have noticed that there is a different attitude toward dogs. I didn't think about that in terms of my own pet, though, and now I realize I should be careful about how others might feel about her. Thanks! (I have actually experienced that with a friend from India, who is terrified of dogs because that's how she grew up... including my own 6 pounder who only puts her at risk of being licked to death.)

I concur with Exit Zero. I spent an evening in F'sted with a friend and his docile german shepherd, and every other person froze in their tracks when they saw that dog.

Wow good to know. My girlfriend and I are moving there with our german shepherd and lab in July.

There are bars and restaurants that you can bring your pet too...I bring my dogs (they are small) to Rainbow beach, Lost Dog on occasion. Many people bring large dogs too. Dogs are more welcomed at these types of places than in the states (at least where I have lived). They are also very welcome at all beaches (except Sandy Point and I assume some of the hotel beaches) as long as the dog is not a nuisance!! Once a few years ago when my dog was a puppy, I brought him into Kmart since he could fit in my purse. I got some strange stares and a few little "shrieks" but other than that, it was not a problem! I wouldn't make a habit of it though....and he is too big anyways!

if your dog is that little, keep in mind that there are packs of stray dogs around. dont let your dog loose alone

Thanks, stxem. That's kinda what I was hoping! I once got kicked out of Walmart (Walmart!) when I took a tiny pup I was dog-sitting in there, so I think I'll leave Kmart alone. :$)

As for the stray dogs... my dog is hardly ever off leash unless she's in an enclosed area. She unfortunately doesn't realize how small she is, so she has a big dog attitude... until she gets right up next to a big dog and then it all sinks in. 🙂

Pamela, I noticed in another post that you have a Chihuahua too! I've never seen any on STX, so I thought mine might be the only one. Glad to know she's not. 🙂

We have a little 5 pound rat of a dog and a 110 lb. rottweiler puppy. Both are friendly with the rottweiler being the dopiest sweetest dog you'll ever meet. However, we've noticed locals in particular will run to cross the street if we walk her on the same side of the road where someone is walking. The local service guys ask if we've put the dogs away before we even open the screen door as I think they're terrified of the thought of a Rottie...unless you had bad intent ours would just lick you to death.

Lots of Chihuahuas on island.
All with big attitudes.

Smaller the dog......Bigger the attitude!

By health department regs, dogs are not allowed in restaurants, even beach restaurants.

By health department regs, dogs are not allowed in restaurants, even beach restaurants.

I think that's true for the entire U.S., but lots of places will allow them on the patio, as long as you can get them on the patio without going through the restaurant.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/articles/smalltoydogs.htm

Funny, SkysTheLimit, although I had never seen it in print, those sorts of things were exactly the concerns we had with getting a small dog. I grew up with big dogs, and I always hated small dogs, but our current home and yard are too small for a large dog, so we wound up with a Chihuahua. We have worked hard to not allow her to do things that little dogs typically get away with, and we get compliments on her personality and behavior all the time. People are shocked that she isn't a yappy ankle biter. She's certainly not perfect, but she's gone a long way to change people's opinions of Chihuahuas.

Drop the Chalupa !!!!!!!!