Yeah, just check on the back of every other ute, total love for the dog!

If you're lucky they'll be tied on and as an Aussie friend said when questioned about the safety ... "oh they only fall off the once!" ...

I find that people here are very anal about dogs.
When we first arrived I went into our local tourist info centre and asked for a map of areas where you could walk your dog off the lead, they looked at me as though I was daft. You want to walk your dog off its lead, the lady said!!! There are dog off lead beaches here, but are mainly much smaller areas, but most areas are dog on lead. I hate the way a lot of people think its ok to let there dog sh** on the beach too. I asked someone once why they didnt pick it up and they said you dont have to as the sea washes it away. Oh well thats ok then.
Also it seems that every back yard around here has at least one dog in it. They are often larger dogs in smaller yards, that are never walked and bark all bleding day and night.I love Australia, but.........

What's wrong with dog sh!t? It's perfectly natural and environmentally friendly. What do you think dogs do in the wild, find a human to pick it up for them?

Nothing compares to the South of France! that has got to be the worst case of shite covered pavements I have ever seen. Small dogs and shite central Environmental or not, it stinks and is a bastard to get out of your shoe treads and its the limit when your toddler goes to pick it up for a bite! EW!!!!!!!

Perth has some great dog beaches. We like the one that is just South of Cottesloe. On a weekend there are loads of dogs there and ours loves it.

I was recently in Germany and Austria and was surprised to see that you could take your dog almost anywhere.

Well not many people are going to argue with someone who has a German Shepard in tow

Dogs do it all the time. You don't see them complaining.

Actually most people had small dogs - a bit like Australia really.

Got to agree with Cookster on everything he says. If you enjoy spending time with your dog, and do not want to hear other peoples dogs barking all day then do not come to Australia.

I live in Perth and Sydney and very few places are dog friendly. I am currently trying to book a road trip from Sydney to return to Perth. Motels will not take dogs even when they say they are dog friendly. Dog friendly in Australia means you are allowed to stay in a motel as long as your dog stays in the car and is not allowed in the motel room. Struggling to get my head round that one, didnt know I needed permission to keep my dog in my car!

Often see people with large sticks when walking their dogs which they regularly use on their dogs.

Having brought my English Springer Spaniel to Australia, one thing to make me return with him to the UK/Europe is the friendliness to welcome dogs. Australia is very boring if you own a dog. Australians do not know the meaning of going out for a hike with their dogs let alone walking them on a regular basis (hence the constant barking Cookster refers to).

Furthermore the vets love to charge horrendous vet fees. I have noticed whatever type of operation you have they ensure the fees come to about $600.00! I also do not believe the majority of vets are to the standard of the UK's.

Anyone that makes comments to the contrary is not being truthful about Australia.

.... and vastly over-rated IMO.

The barking really is annoying. I've learnt to almost tune it out after several years, but its still there in the background. I'm conscious when I'm walking home from a night shift, 7am, there are eight houses in our street, one after the other, that all have a dog outside in the garden, and no matter how quietly I walk - and I'm on the other side of the road too - they ALL bark, at various levels, every morning.
I can't do anything about it, its the only route home, but it does make me feel really sorry for people who were asleep until the racket starts.

My vet here is excellent and equals the quality of the vet I had in the UK. My SIL is a vetinary nurse and she says the fees I pay for things here in Perth are vastly cheaper than her practice charges. I think it is going to vary from place to place in both countries. Not really something you can make such sweeping statements about.

If you say your vet is excellent in Perth, could you let me and everyone else know their details. I am willing to travel anywhere within Perth.

Joondalup Vet Hospital, Winton Rd. Joondalup. Fantastic practice.