Check in desk: Why we want to go to ... The dogs

You can adopt an ex-racing dog after its career - though taking it for walks could be a challenge, especially if it sees a hare.

1 Norway

For the ultimate in dog endurance, get yourself on the back of an Alaskan sled. Huskies are the Tauntauns of the Arctic circle: Hardy beasts hauling people and material through impossible winter conditions.

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The musher and the dogs... #engholmhusky #expedition #dogsledding #finnmark #finnmarkplateau #grandnord

A post shared by Jeremy Jost (@jayjeyxplore) on Jan 8, 2016 at 9:56am PST

Herald writer Grant Bradley visited Engholm Husky Lodge in Norway and enjoyed "a white-knuckle ride along sometimes barely discernible trails in scrub, up hills, along a riverbank and through the pine forest".
engholm.no

2 At the track

Greyhound racing is a popular past-time in the UK, with millions of people attending meets each year and betting hard-earned pounds on the pooches zipping around the track. If you're really keen, you can adopt an ex-racing dog after its career - though taking it for walks could be a challenge, especially if it sees a hare.

3 In the dog house

Here at Travel we love a wacky hotel, and the Dog Bark Park Inn is one of our favourites. Housed in a structure in the form of a giant beagle, the Inn is in rural Idaho near the famed Hells Canyon Gorge of the Snake River.

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#zestupidtour #idaho #cottonwood #dog #hotel #dogbarkparkinn #amazing #dream #achievment

A post shared by Fabien Lasserre (@fabien_lasserre_photo) on Aug 13, 2015 at 7:44pm PDT

It also has its own visitor centre, gift shop and artist studio where you can pick up a canine carving made with a chainsaw.
dogbarkparkinn.com

4 Crufts

All dog-lovers must take a pilgrimage to Crufts Dog Show - whether it's to compete, or simply to observe. The annual event takes place in Birmingham in England over four days in early March. While there are many different competitions, Best in Show is what matters the most. Last year's prize was taken out by a Scottish Terrier named 'To Russia With Love'.
crufts.org.uk

5 Dog cafe

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Caught our two biggest girls having a bonding sesh ❤️❤️❤️ 📷: @nice1marissa #boxermix #adoptdontshop #thedogcafe #shepherdmix #rescuedog #bigdogsofinstagram #doglife #dogsofinstagram

A post shared by The Dog Cafe (@thedogcafe_la) on Jan 16, 2016 at 1:34pm PST

Inspired by animal cafes in Japan and Korea, America's first canine-themed cafe opened in Los Angeles last year. Simply named The Dog Cafe, it's full of friendly dogs keen on cuddles, sourced from local shelters. But don't go if you're hungry - the cafe only serves coffee and tea to avoid dogs getting territorial over food. The coffee comes from a roaster called Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co, which donates 20 per cent of profits to a shelter nearby.
thedogcafela.com