Notes about the dogs we met in Peru and Chile

Some of our favorite folks that we met so far have been of the canine persuasion. We were immediately struck and intrigued by how different dogs were in different regions or even in different towns. These notes are based only on our direct experiences with the dogs we met. No research has gone into this besides our direct observations, nor is it necessarily reminicent of all dogs in a particular place. That said, enjoy!

Peru- if anything else, dogs in Peru walk with a purpose and obey traffic laws

Villages in the Amazon (up river from Iquitos)
-Dirty, skinny, not well-fed, truely amazing they can even stand. Often tan with short hair. Used to defend farm animals on a small floating raft during the wet season
Lima
-More dogs are on leashes. Dogs that are not on leashes patrol their area, are often not too dirty, well fed, and don´t care about nearby humans. They cross streets better than a seasoned New Yorker
Cusco
-Dogs are rarely on leashes. Well fed (we tried to feed one and it snuffed its nose at our ham slice), relatively clean, and it seems like these dogs often have a home to come back to at night. They also wouldn´t be bothered with humans. Didn´t have a need to be pet. They had work to do.

Chile- Enjoy getting their rest and like people more. Dogs are lazier here than in Peru. They find a spot on the sidewalk and stay there. Often without leashes. A part of life in every town. Loves beaches!!! Often rather well fed but not fat. REALLY DO NOT LIKE COPS ON MOTORCYCLES!! They will join together against this dark force whenever it presents itself.

Iquique
- Lots of cocker spaniels. Some on leashes, mostly not. Friendly, willing to eat the food given to them. ¨Pop¨ hung out with us for most of the day after feeding him deli meat. Not overbearing, just friendly
San Pedro de Atacama
-Unknown if they have names. No leashes; however, have homes or parts of streets to com home to. Community of dogs, seem to know each other. REALLY don´t like motorcops here. Many different kinds of dogs. By the way, cats don´t have names here either, they just are around to eat mice and place with string
Valapariso
-Predominantly black short haired dogs, met ¨Socks¨who was a black dog and white bootie feet. ENJOYS FOUNTAINS! Or at least biting the water in fountains. Community of dogs in parks. Some leashed, some not. 1 overly excitable dog seemed especially hungry. Unsure how well dogs are fed here. Saw some dogs even inside homes and in fenced in small yards. Only puppies seen were with owners. Some dogs took owners for a leashed run. Also don´t like motorcycle cops as in San Pedro.
Puerto Montt and Frutillar
-Often on leashes or in yards. Enjoys playing on beaches with friends. Not too many on the street. Relatively clean and well fed. Just want to share that we saw a puff ball pretending to be a puppy.
Pucon
-Friendly, all dogs let you pet them. Pack up, all dogs seem to know each other. They don´t fight, just cruise around to see what´s going on. Readily let us be their pack leader, felt like Cesar Milan without the roller blades. Clean well fed, owned but allowed to cruise the streets.
Santiago
-Saw hardly any, sadly. So we didn't get to pet any dogs. We hypothesize that they are being kept in the home or yard like many dogs in the US.