Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
3 Aug 2025
Reply rate
76.9 %
Usually responds within 15 days
Feedback
30
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
I am English, a retired teacher and have just moved to a house in Alfarelos, Portugal. It needs a lot of work and there will will be builders around from September onwards but I shall need help with my FIVE dogs and generally getting things into shape. I have two spare bedrooms but the bathroom and kitchen facilities are pretty basic at the moment. Luckily the weather should be good for a while yet.
I have a dog and two house cats that I have adopted, and four foster dogs that have moved with me. I have had them since they were three weeks but they have not been adopted. They are 3 years old and very active, lively and strong dogs. I need help exercising and generally caring for them. Mostly outside work.
Alfarelos is a friendly village with some shops. It has a mini-mercado, a bakery, pharmacy, a couple of cafes and a Multibanco. also a good restaurante around the corner that serves a lunch for 10 euros , soup, main, desert and coffee. There is a train station 10 mins walk from the house on the line between Coimbra and Figueira Foz. It is about 30mins to either place. The nearest town is Montemor o Velho. It is in a farming area where rice is an important crop and not far from the Mondego River.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
General Maintenance
House sitting
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The local Portuguese community is very welcoming and kind. Many people speak a little English, it is also a good opportunity to practice your Portuguese.
Help
Dog walking and supervision. Must be able to maintain existing routines. A variety of jobs outside and in, general maintenance and some decorating/repairs if possible.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
There are two spare bedrooms, but until some more work is done one bathroom and a basic kitchen. During September you will need to be flexible and willing to rough it a bit.
What else ...
I do not drive but the train makes it easy to visit Coimbra and the coast. Montemor has a beautiful old castle which you can reach in 10mins by taxi although sometimes its not easy to find one straight away.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Excellent internet connection throughout house
Space for parking camper vans
Safe off-road parking close in yard
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Frieda (5 years)
Adopted
Frankie (5 years)
Adopted
Clara (3 years)
Foster podengo mix
Ursula (3 years)
Foster podengo mix
Oscar
Teddy (3 years)
Foster podengo mix
Ronson (4 years)
Adopted mutt.
Feedback (13)
thank you
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.7)
Communication:
(5.0)
thank you
I felt welcome from the first moment, and the explanation was very useful, she has a magical way of explaining things in a smooth and useful way and making everything seem easy..
The accommodation was good and comfortable, with a private kitchen… read more
The daily work consisted of walking one or two dogs in the morning and especially teaching… read more
The work is actually really eaay to do, you don't feel you're working, but you… read more
They really enjoyed the dogs and gave them a lot of love and attention as well as their daily training walks and exercise.
They brought a good range of skills, from… read more
Basically… read more
She had 5 rescued puppies that needed training before adoption. We leash-trained the dogs in the mornings and in the evenings took them for longer or shorter walks in the village. During the day… read more
Our main duties… read more
