sandersfamily

Hi

We are still undecided where to live, torn between Perth & Adelaide at the moment . We plan to emigrate from October this year, one of the factors in our decision is our two loveable labradors dogs!

Our major concerns is how would the dogs cope with the extreme heat & change in climate? Hubby thinks Adelaide would be best for our dogs especially in the Adelaide Hills area. However we also have two young boys (4 & 2) to consider and I think Perth would offer more for them.

The dogs don't cope very well when we have hot days in the UK and have to take the dogs out for a walk early in the morning or late in the evening when its cooler.

I would love to hear from people's previous experiences to help us reach a decision.

Thanks

Louise

spartacus

No experience of either Perth or Adelaide I'm afraid but my mother-in-law took her black lab over to Brisbane four years ago and she's (the dog) adapted to the climate really well. No problems at all. She still puts on a winter coat and moults in the summer, has a swim in the pool on the extra hot days. We were a little anxious about taking our own dog (whippet / staffy cross) after reading some of the post on here regarding snakes etc, but we're glad we did. She gets out Eastern Creeks Quarantine a week today and she'll be there to meet us when we arrrive a week later.

cheers

Andy

nzer57

No worries in either. Adelaide can get very cold in winter and extremely hot in summer. Perth has hot dry summers and cool to warm winters. It always gets a cool easterly breeze off the desert in the morning that changes like clock work to a cool westerly sea breeze in the arvo.

On really hot days dogs just need shade and plenty of water. My ridgeback just looks for a cool tile or concrete floor and flops there. Find him in some funny places some days.

Haven't been to Adelaide yet but it's often described as a rather slow some say boring kinda place for 30 - 40 somethings. That probably makes it great for kids. I've been in Perth for over a month now and although it's a beautiful city compared to Sydney it's not exactly jumping either.

House price wise I'd probably go Adelaide. Perth's property market has topped out for the time being. I think Adelaide has a good chance of following Perth once some of the big mining projects get underway north of there.

marvinc

You adapt what you do here in the Summer so do the same in Oz, never ceases to amaze me the amount of people walking dogs in the full sun here in the UK. Walk early and late as you normally do, have shade in the garden and air con in the house and all will be well - Enjoy wherever you decide.

bushy

Hi Louise,
We live in north WA in Karratha where it's VERY hot especially in the summer months..up to 43' in Feb! and I've heard that was a coolish summer by normal standards!! We brought our 5yr old German Pointer over and he has coped really well with the heat.It's cooling down now for winter..only 33 today..and he's just started lying in the sun like he did in the UK.
In the summer he just stayed in with us and lay under the airconditioning vents!
I think dogs just get used to the heat same as we do.
Good luck with your move
Denise

nzer57

Damned glad to hear that!!! Be up that ways in a few weeks

bushy

should be even cooler by then How long you coming up here for?

Dorothy

Currently live in Adelaide but moving to Perth at the end of May. Don't worry about the dog. He/she will adapt to the climate. Think about other more important factors, like whether you can find work. Whether you can afford a house. Traffic, schooling, lifestyle, etc. As much as I liked Adelaide, there just was not the work there for my husband. I had no problems finding work, and just today turned down an offer of a long term contract, but for him nothing.

nzer57

Could be a few years. Not sure where I'll end up just yet. Have contacts for Karratha and Port Hedland

bushy

have you been here before? we like it here in Karratha but would like to live in Perth eventually.not been to Port Hedland...we were told not to bother unless it was for something specific as it's not really a place to go just for a day out!
also our neighbour said that you're in danger of hitting a kangaroo/goat/cow or emu!! on the way.

JohnandMichelle

No experience of either Perth or Adelaide I'm afraid, but we moved to QLD in March last year while it was still hot and our dog was fine. When we got her from Quarantine, we got her a really good haircut to help her to acclimatise and she's been fine. She loves a swim and has never had any problem with ticks or anything else - touch wood....

nzer57

Stopped at Port H on the way across. Pretty industrial. Your typical iron ore mining town

Had a squiz at Karratha on the way past to Perth. I was going to stop for a better look but I'd been on the road from Sydney for about 11 days dodging storms by then. Just wanted to get to Perth and escape the heat and big wet

Collected 2 roo's n the way over and narrowly missed a cow - all at night. No damage luckily. Day times OK but twilight and night are definitely very risky

bushy

Yeah,we don't go far at night,just around the town area.Karratha's OK although we've only been here since january.The people here are really friendly especially all of the scottish folks!There's a fair bit to do especially if you're the outdoorsy type and if you like fishing and camping,neither of which we've done yet!! but we still like it.

nzer57

I'll be doing plenty of that. No accommodation anywhere to be had for a while yet. I'm self supporting but I'll be swagging for a while I'm guessing.

sj oldfield

Dogs are fine here in Perth. Always make sure there is a huge bowl of fresh cool water on hand, and if you leave them in the garden ensure you have some shady areas for protection.
My 2 boxers dig huge holes in the dirt so they can lie down where the earth is damp and cool.
You might also need to consider using sun protection around the tips of the ears as it is not unknown for dogs (and cats) to suffer from skin cancer