With the dog

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All dogs have a ‘hunting instinct’. When a dog smells ‘wild’, that instinct is stimulated and most dogs want to track the animal down. The scent trails that dogs leave behind cause long-term disruption in the forest. Almost all animals in nature are afraid of dogs. If a dog comes too close, the animals are frightened. They flee or do not dare to leave their shelter. This can exhaust and starve the animals. Or while fleeing, they get entangled in a fence, run onto the public road, injure themselves and this sometimes leads to death.

Visitors can also be bothered by a loose dog. Some people are afraid of dogs. And accidents can occur with, for example, horse riders or mountain bikers.

As a visitor, you are a guest here to come and enjoy nature. Areas have been set aside especially for dogs where they can romp, run and play. You can recognize these by the signs as shown here. In all other cases, your dog must be on a leash. By keeping your dog on a leash, you help prevent a lot of suffering in nature. In the areas where the grazers roam freely, walking on a leash is a given. The herd can become stressed by dogs approaching them.

The General Local Regulation (APV in Dutch) of De Maashorst municipalities stipulates that dogs must be on a leash in the forests. This code of conduct can be found on the entrance signs. Anyone who does not adhere to these rules risks a fine.