Hi,

We are looking at a property at the mo but the garden is only 20 ft X 30 ft, we really want a large breed dog but do you think that this space is too small? We are not looking a getting a pup until next year and know that they can't have too much exercise when they are young because it is bad for their hips. We are only planning to live in this property for about two years so would be moving when the dog was approx 18 months to a bigger place. The place we are looking at does however have a huge wood about 3-4 minutes walk for it so there would be no shortage of places to walk the dog so it wouldn't be lacking for exercise.

What does everyone think???

Scott

Hi Scott,
I have raised puppies successfully in houses with a very small garden - at our last house the garden was only about 20' by 15', and our lab and dalmatian were fine, because we had access to many acres of fields and footpaths.

As long as the dog gets regular walks, I can't see there being a problem. Good luck!
:)

Thanks Jeangenie,

The dog will certainly get lots of regular walks as my girlfriend works from home. If all goes well the house we will get is also only 10 mins drive from Lightwater country park which is nice :) and is bordered by lots of woods and farmland (which dog walkers are allowed to use, we have already asked!) Do you think that when we talk to breeders they will be put of when the come to do a home check?

Thanks

Scott

Scott

Our garden is a bit bigger than the one you are looking at, but to be honest the dogs never really use the whole space, they have two good walks a day and enjoy a good tug and short runs after a ball etc, so I am sure you will be fine

Out of interest whereabouts are you moving to? We live a 2 min walk from Lightwater Country Park, which is a great walk, really varied, dry underfoot most of the year round, plenty of wildlife and really friendly and sociable dog walkers! There are loads of other good walks nearby too, depending on which side of the M3 you are

Happy Moving!! You've chosen a good area!

Hayley

Hi Hayley,

The place we are looking at is in Frimley but its really closer to Lightwater than Frimley. Its a turning of "Red Road" (if you know it, its a fairly huge road). We did look at a property down "The Avenue" (the road the country park is down) but the garden was on a slope (fairly steep, which we didnt think was good for a pup :( ), which was a shame because then we would have been right on the doorstep of the country park! I've heard that there is a good Obedience class held in Lightwater, and agility too (its something we would like to get into but only when our dog is old enough, i believe its 18 months).

Scott

Hi Scott

Frimley is nice, and close to both Lightwater and Camberley, there is a nice walk somewhere in between someone told me about, think it is near Meadowside. I know there are some good puppy classes nearby (though can be expensive) including the alpha classes ran by Sarah Whitehead which we are planning to do. I go to Agility in West End nr Chobham (also only 10 mins from Frimley at the most), the lady who runs it is a nationally known competitor and judge. She also runs obedience for agility classes where you can learn basic obedience with a view to starting true agility later.

Good luck with the move, feel free to email me if you want any info/tel.numbers, just click on my user name

Hayley

None of the breeders I spoke to wanted to do a home check, it's only normally some rescue centres that do. But I haven't come across one near us that does. I would say if you are walking the dog lots when it is older a small garden is fine, my friend has two collies and a small garden so they go for loads of walks.
Gina

I have three Akitas and a small garden. The four walks a day are fine for them and they just use the garden for little pees and lounging about.
The size of garden doesn't matter if you're prepared to walk the dog once it is over 8 months old. You shouldn't need to walk a large breed dog before its that age as it could cause damage to the joints.
Good luck with finding your perfect puppy!!!!!!!

you shouldnt need to walk them at all??????