River View, Dumfries

River View is a large self-catering house on Linden Grove in Dumfries, set right beside a public park and about five minutes' walk from the town centre. For anyone travelling with a dog the location is close to ideal: the park is immediately outside for the first and last walk of the day, and the paths along the River Nith give you a proper walk without needing to get back in the car.

The welcome pack is generous and includes treats for the dog, which dog owners mention as often as the food supplies left for them. The house itself is consistently described as spacious, warm and comfortably furnished, with a well-equipped kitchen, good heating and beds that get singled out for comfort. Shops, pubs and restaurants are all within walking distance, so the car can stay parked.

The one thing to think hard about before booking is the stairs. The house is arranged over several floors and the first flight is bare wood and steep. Dog owners raise it more than any other issue: older dogs have struggled and slipped on the way up, and some parties have resorted to carrying their dog up that first flight. If your dog is elderly, arthritic, long-legged or simply unsure on hard stairs, treat this as a real consideration, though every party that mentioned it still managed and several said they would book again.

Beyond the stairs the niggles are ordinary. Hot water can be unpredictable and the upstairs electric shower is weak, the heating schedule is not obvious so the house can feel cold first thing until the boost is pressed, the kitchen has a few unfinished edges, and towels were supplied for only one of the three bedrooms.

No pet fee, dog limit or size restriction is published on the property's booking listing, so settle those with the owner when you book.

River View suits dog owners who want a town-centre base in Dumfries with green space on the doorstep and a dog that handles stairs without difficulty. It earns a 4.6 out of 5 paw rating.