Walking dogs in New Zealand.
 

I found your post very interesting Jan n Neil especially the bit about your dogs quality of life compared to back in the UK. I brought my dog with me from the UK 6 years ago and was very disappointed with the total lack of dog walking areas. The UK is a fantastic place to have a dog with all the footpaths available for off lead walking and all our National Parks open to dogs too (unlike NZ). Every weekend my partner and I would choose a walk (from an hour to all day if we liked!) grabbed the dog and off we went - fabulous. I was totally shocked when I first arrived here too how many dog owners have their dogs in the back yards or tied to a kennel - something to me that was completely unheard of! A friend of mine visited NZ last year and asked where all the dogs were - she hadn't seen a single one on her travels! Unlike the UK where I used to take the dog with me EVERYWHERE it is really hard to do here as they are simply not welcome perhaps it is different in the South Island. Would love to know how others have found bringing their dogs to NZ and if anyone has found fantastic off lead walks that last more than 45 minutes! It is great that you have found an outlet for your dogs with agility but found it perplexing that their quality of life was better here - what dog wouldn't want more walks!!!

Re: Dogs - pics and dog stories
 

Pothy, we live rural. You could walk for hours along rivers if you want to. We also have 2 and a half acres so the space and the exercise they get is awesome. We had a handkerchief size back yard in the UK

Jan

Re: Dogs - pics and dog stories
 

Hi Jan - sounds like the South Island is the place to be for walks along the rivers - the North Island is rather different with "No Dog" signs everywhere! We had an 11 acre block but it only used to take me 15 minutes to walk around which wasn't nearly enough for my energized puppies! Love NZ but really really miss the public footpaths and bridle ways of the UK and the fact I could take the dog into the local pub!

Re: Dogs - pics and dog stories
 

Our neighbours take their great danes to the pub :thumbsup:

Walking dogs in New Zealand.
 

Hiya

Very interested in this. I have 2 rescue Doggies who I'd be loathe to leave behind. We had been thinking of North Island but sounds as if our two may well do much better in a rural setting in South Island

Re: Dogs - pics and dog stories
 

Hi Tina - if you are coming from the UK and used to walking your dog endlessly off-lead on public footpaths - you will find NZ a massive change. I have two rescue dog too - they are the best! I have done some extensive research into dog walking (it was a real hobby of mine in the UK walking with my dogs or dog as it was then) and there are a few places you can walk your dog off-lead but not many or be prepared to travel. Some beaches are dog friendly in the winter but not during day-light saving so be aware of that. Most cities have a dog friendly park (probably mostly on-lead) and all Department of Conservation areas are out of bounds to dogs mainly to protect the bird life and because of the poison baits that abound which are very deadly to dogs. Be careful of going rural because you will still be very limited to only your block unless you can afford a 100 acres or so!! Don't leave them behind but just beware how different both countries are. If you are not used to walking your dogs then absolutely no worries they will adjust very well!

Walking dogs in New Zealand.
 

This thread is for everyone to discuss where they walk their dogs here in NZ. As you will see some of the previous posted have been lifted from Jan's Dog Pics and Stories thread .

Cheers

Re: Walking dogs in New Zealand.
 

I have not had a problem find beach or bush walk for my dog, you just need to be aware of the restrictions, some beaches do not allow dogs on them from March to Oct but others are all year round. Bush walks yes you need to be aware of the bait traps and restricted areas but I can walk for a good few hours if wanted without any problem. I'm north of Wellington

Re: Walking dogs in New Zealand.
 

Re: Walking dogs in New Zealand.
 

I think this leaflet sums it up nicely - 17 off-lead dog areas in the whole of the North Island and some are just campsites! MrsFychan sounds like you are very lucky and once again realise that I am in the wrong part of the North Island! It would be an awesome idea to actual state where we all walk and basic instructions on how to get there so that other people can enjoy these walks too. I'll start with the Blue Lake in Rotorua - about 11/4hrs off-leash (well mine go off leash!) with about the last 1/4hr on the road. In summer lovely swim in the lake afterwards with the dogs. Only problem for me is it is a 2 hour drive away! Love to know about your bush walks MrsFychan as I would have a weekend away with the dogs if I knew of places where I could walk for hours off-leash.

Re: Walking dogs in New Zealand.
 

We tend to do Kohi and St Heliers beaches, Churchill Park in Glendowie, Mt Wellington, Meola Reef, Big King reserve and Kepa Bush reserve in Auckland

Re: Walking dogs in New Zealand.
 

Really!! really!!!
I feel robbed of the time I've wasted reading this,havent you something more constructive to do with your time than complain about dog walking !!!

Re: Walking dogs in New Zealand.
 

Wow Justcol thought it was just me but then saw that you had posted a bit of verbal on another thread 3 minutes after posting mine! Must of had a bad day at work so I forgive you! Only interested to know where people walk their dogs as it is a hobby of mine. I bet you don't even have a dog which makes me wonder why you even want to read the thread (or don't you have anything better to do!) and if you do have a dog why don't you post where you walk it so we can all know.

Re: Walking dogs in New Zealand.
 

Please be aware the above relates to Dept. of Conservation land only.

Re: Walking dogs in New Zealand.
 

We walk our dog on the beach, in the forest and at Groynes Dog Park, which has about 8 huge paddocks, river access, agility courses and is fully fenced. :thumbsup: