France and Germany amongst other European countries are very welcoming of dogs in public venues and hotels.
Personally, though, I don't care much for seeing dogs in stores and restaurants. I've seen them lift legs and be a general pest and I also don;t find it very appetising to watch people letting dogs eat off their plate -- and basically, especially in the US/UK/Ireland I think, not everyone wants the dog we think is charming, coming over to them while they are shopping or eating, and often the dog is a whole lot less charming than some owners think
. Having the dog in a stroller is not an acceptable or legal way of avoiding ordinances which do not allow dogs inside shops and restaurants excepting seeing eye dogs. No dogs means no dogs. If in doubt it is always correct and polite to ask the owner of the establishment.
That said, there are some outdoor areas that serve food where I know dogs are allowed and sometimes I meet a friend for a meal or coffee after walking our dogs. We can sit well away from other people but the key point again is that dogs are allowed in these places. I actually never enjoy doing this all that much though -- cavaliers are so greedy about food that I can't relax and chat, I have to be watching them all the time and they can be pests (usually are). Hence we only do this now and then and generally I will only have one or two of the dogs.
I think it is very important to be a responsible dog owner and never forget that it is never correct to assume other people delight in one's children or animals :lol: (though this does vary by culture; again, France is very open to including dogs and most European hotels I stay in for work events will take dogs). There are so many things that we can do with our dogs that I don't think it is crucial that they also be there while I pick out a pair of shoes or eat a meal out with friends.
I've moved this thread as it doesn't really have anything to do with shopping per se.