Sliabh Amharc, Downpatrick

Sliabh Amharc is a large, contemporary holiday house on Saul Road, a short walk from the middle of Downpatrick, and it works well for anyone bringing a dog on a County Down trip. The house sleeps seven across four bedrooms, so there is room to spread out, and because the whole place is yours there are no corridors, no shared entrance and nobody to negotiate with about the dog.

The property takes one well-behaved dog per booking, and that is the main thing to plan around: this is a house for a single dog rather than a pair. The listing does not set out a pet charge, so it is worth confirming directly. Guests who bring a dog describe a straightforward, unfussy welcome, and the owner is generally quick to pick up the phone if something needs sorting mid-stay.

The walking is the reason to bring the dog. The River Quoile and its riverside paths are a few minutes' drive away, and the town centre is close enough to walk to, so short lead walks and longer outings are both easy from the door. Strangford Lough and the Mourne coast are within reach for a bigger day out.

Two things are worth knowing before booking. There is no enclosed back garden, so a dog has to be taken out on a lead rather than let out last thing at night. And guests have mentioned a dog at one of the neighbouring houses that howls at night - nothing to do with the house itself, but something a light sleeper or a reactive dog might notice. Only a handful of guests have written about staying here with a dog, so there is less dog-specific detail than the house's overall review count suggests.

It suits an owner travelling with one dog who wants a comfortable, well-equipped base within walking distance of a town, and who is happy doing lead walks rather than relying on a garden.