Peregrine falcons first bred at Malham Cove in 1993, the first time in recorded history, and a 2018 Yorkshire Post report said they had nested there every year since. In past seasons the RSPB and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority have run a free viewpoint with telescopes, so visitors can watch the birds without disturbing them. Dates vary, so check with the national park before you go. Birds like these are one reason the Dales ask dog owners to take care in spring.
The national park’s advice is a short lead from March to July, when ground-nesting birds are easily disturbed, and dogs kept at heel or on a lead around livestock. North Yorkshire has its own trainers page. For vets and swimming spots we use Yorkshire-wide guides. Sitters, groomers, rescue and pet transport link to UK-wide guides.
What’s covered in North Yorkshire
- Dog trainers: Dog trainers in North Yorkshire
- Vets: our best vets in Yorkshire guide covers the whole of Yorkshire, so it isn’t North Yorkshire only.
- Dog swimming spots: likewise, the best dog swimming spots in Yorkshire guide is Yorkshire-wide.
- Dog sitters: no North Yorkshire town has its own sitters page yet, so please use our UK dog sitters directory.
- Dog groomers: there’s no local page here either. The UK dog groomers guide is the place to look.
- Adoption and rescue: we don’t have a North Yorkshire guide, so see our UK-wide dog adoption and rescue guide.
- Pet transport: no North Yorkshire city page, so see our UK pet transport guide.
Limestone, paths and common sense
The Dales’ limestone country has caves, limestone pavement and sinkholes, and the national park asks walkers to stay on the paths. That’s good advice for dogs too, as a curious nose can lead somewhere you can’t follow. Keep your dog close on rocky ground, take water on warm days, and bag and bin what your dog leaves.
Crowded viewpoints
Popular viewpoints get busy, which some dogs find unsettling. Calmshops has the Calmdogs calming collar if you’d like to look at options, and your vet is the right person to ask if you’re worried about your dog’s behaviour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my dog need to be on a lead in the Yorkshire Dales?
The national park’s advice is to use a short lead from March to July, when ground-nesting birds are easily disturbed, and to keep dogs at heel or on a lead around livestock.
Does AboutDogs have North Yorkshire dog sitter and groomer pages?
Not yet. For those we link to our UK-wide sitters directory and groomers guide rather than imply local coverage we don’t have.
Are the North Yorkshire vets and swimming guides separate from the rest of Yorkshire?
No. We have one vets guide and one swimming guide for Yorkshire as a whole, and both are linked above.
Written by Georgiana & Figo.
