Hi

We are moving to Suffolk all being well in January, having lived in Berks and Bucks for years.  Where I live now I am very well blessed with places to walk my four dogs,  along the Thames,  a large moor nearby etc.  So I was wondering if any of you Suffolk dwellers could tell me about the dog walking possibilities.  We will be living about 3 miles north of Stowmarket, near the village of Haughley.  I think there is a dog training centre in Stowmarket which sounds ideal as we do a bit of obedience (nothing fancy!).  Any doggy info would be great.

Snowflake

You will be fine for walks lots of rivers, beaches and countyside to walk in. :-).

I'll try and find some links for you.

hi snowflake, i live just outside stowmarket, theres a few nice parks and always plenty of footpaths to go down, do you show your dogs and what breed do you have?, we have loads of shows in east anglia. haughley is a lovely village, good luck with the move

I am 1/2 way between Bury and Diss so quite near. Training place is prob one in Stonham Barns, knew the lady who used to own/run it but not present people. Lots of villages have footpath guides so may be worth looking out for one, ask in nearest post office or shop.. Miles of forestry areas where there are no restrictions on dogs about 15min by car from you and apart from 'touristy' bits of beach most areas are quite close and dog off lead friendly.......Hollesley, Bawdsey, Orford and all round Sizewell area. Needham lakes are fairly near but not sure of dog rules there.
Hope this helps,
Chris

Hi Daxylady and thanks all for your help.

I have a JRx rescue,  a westie, a sheltie who is 17 months old and our Greek rescue dog, Hannah.

I do show the sheltie a bit although not with huge success.  She is very good at obedience so would like to carry this on in Suffolk although will miss my regular training class here as all my dogs have attended at one time or another, and have made lots of friends there.  Next year I would like Isla my sheltie to have a litter of pups and will be asking my breeder for advice on Dad!

Snowflake

Hiya, I've also just moved to Suffolk, hoping to end up in Woolpit in January. I've joined the West Suffolk dog club in Great Barton, they are quite good but from my very limited attendance so far seem just a little strict and old fashioned, everyone standing round the edge of the room practising the heelwork position for much of the class. There's another club in Freston down near Ipwich which is much more my thing, they do rally once a month, and they do more relaxed heelwork with sits and downs, and fun agility rounds and so on, almost more of a social time with training on the side. :-) I don't know the Stowmarket / Stonham club at all, will have to investigate it as Freston is too far and GB as I say just a little to intense for my lazy approach. (hasten to add my dogs have Gold and Silver GC awards so we just go for the night out with like minded people, though with Ellie in particular I do compete a bit in obedience so I know we need to do some work!)

Snowflake if you're wanting to compete in obedience you may find the Great Barton club works well for you.

Hi to Snowflake and Lucydogs, I used to go to Gt Barton with my 1st GSD, about 18 years ago, but it doesn't sound like its changed much. I stopped going as it was very noisy, crowded and out of 40min class we all seemed to spend at least 20 mins standing round waiting while everyone else had a turn at doing the exercise.
I think Stonham is far more 'commercial dog school' than a club but they do have a fenced paddock and agility stuff there.
Chris

I do know Woolpit and Great Barton as they are near Norton where my son and family live.

My present obedience club (the sheltie and the Greek attend) is a good laugh but the trainer does swear like a trooper (!!!) and yells like a sergeant major which can be a bit off putting.  Hannah the Greek will never compete (hounds!) but I think the sheltie could be very good but I think I need more confidence with her rather than being shouted at!

Maybe those of who live near each other could meet up for a dog walk in a convenient spot!  I shall need to get to know new peeps .....

Snowflake

I'd love to meet up for a group walk some time - when we've finally moved anyway! I enjoyed Great Barton more last week, perhaps I just need to get used to it a bit more. :-)

I think these things do take time .....

I may see you there Lucydogs next year!!

Snowflake

I live in Suffolk and I am spoilt for choice!
There are river walks, forest walks, beach walks, farm tracks which are open to public :-) The list is endless, also there are castles and castle grounds to explore with the dogs, we visited a castle and walked along the moat with our dogs :-)
A few walks are on lead sometimes but most places are all off lead :-)

I am so happy to live in Suffolk and for dog owners there are endless walks in every county and most dog walkers are nice and considerate where I live  and I wouldnt move for the world.....well maybe to Greece! ;-)

I'll keep an eye out for someone with a Sheltie! Mind you they've just put the price up to £3 a week, so I may well investigate the Stonham Aspal people as well. :-)