I think I shall have to let the farmers know that the sheep are worrying me and my BC and that they need to be shot (only joking
Thanks so much for all the advice from you all, I shall deffo. keep him on his short lead and will go and explore the other places that have been recommended in the area.
I guess I just have to get used to being a "country girl" and Floyd a "country dog"

>Sometimes it all seems so difficult I wonder whether it would be easier to move to a city

:D

No trust me, you'd soon hate all that trailing around on pavements! I like the occasional day in the city but when I come home I realise just how lucky I am to have the freedom of the countryside. Even with the sheep lurking around every corner there are still marvellous off lead walks.

Your idea about an internet sheep finder would be brilliant. Although I can just imagine trying to sell that idea to the local farmers on the grounds of "You move the sheep, then come straight back and update your web pages so that we can wander about on your land without being troubled by your livestock!". ;)

This is exactly why I always think it strange when people say a breed is suited to the country, as in lots of space, when in fact unless you are a land owner you are going to be far more restricted for safe off lead walking areas for your dog than in any town.  I find most of my country living dog owning freinds are in the position of only being able to let dogs run on their own property, or have to drive miles to Forestry commision land or a beach that allows dogs.  Otherwise it is lead only on country roads hoping not to get run over. :(

I'm a country born girl and really love the freedom my dogs had when we moved to the town, it was great!

i live in mid wales, after a while there you will find wheres best to go, or what fields arent occupied, and how they are rotated.

a field we commonly use has sheep in, then they go then cattle in, then they go, then we can go in! the farmers fine as long as our dogs can be trusted- he knows they can, but we only go in when theres nothing in them.

i now live in more of a town- less fields nearby or forest walks :(  but weve got a massive park, and an estate 10 mins drive away which is beautiful to walk- i think we just make the most of it, whatever your situation  ;)

come the day we will all own 100 acres each on our own private estate hey?!

Don't forget sheep and cattle are easy to see but during the period outlined in JG's link above it is the ground nesting birds, many of which are endangered, that we need to keep our dogs on lead, or at least very close to avoid disturbing.

thanks isabel- didnt think of our feathered friends!

I found a walk with NO SHEEP on it over the weekend!
Its the Sussex Border Path, that runs (funnily enough) around the border of sussex, and although I still have to keep Floyd on his lead, there are walks through lovely woods and I saw some deer and no sheep at all which is the most important thing to me
So I am very happy, as I won't have to worry about upsetting any sheep or farmers even if I am allowed to walk near them, I'd rather not if possible.
Harrahh!!

Thanks, Floyds Mum, this has been a fascinating and timely thread for me. 

As a life-long city dweller (first L'pool then Brum) and devoted Archers fan I have often just assumed that life in the country was better for dogs - it was just a given. As retirement (or redundancy) approaches, I was just thinking...but this topic and our own experience on numerous country holidays with dogs has made me realise just how restricted you can be in a rural setting.

As a previous poster said, most land is actually an attractive but efficient factory floor.  At least in the city you generally know what's going to be around the corner (not always pleasant but you can't have everything) and the land we can use belongs to everyone - or at least the Council.

Ah well, now I have another element for my rich fantasy life as a ... but enough about me.

Regards, Linda

Before getting our dog we talked about how we would be able to take her on our walking weekends (Cumbria, Peak District more often than not).  That turned out to be a pipe dream as I could never trust her off lead around livestock.  Where we live on the edge of a new town we are across the road from farmland which is thankfully mostly crops.  Off lead, for some strange reason which we can't quite fathom we did some very good training that stuck as our dog keeps off the crops and sticks to paths and hedgerows.  It astounds me though how other dog walkers allow their dogs to leap about the crops, flattening them.  I'm amazed that the farmer(s) haven't tried to do something about it

Hi Floyd's Mum!
sorry Ive only just caught this thread! Welcome to Rusper! It was many years ago now that I lived there. You must go to the Bennedictine Resteraunt at Ghyll Manor Lodge (Mmmmmmm!!!)
   I really like Buchan Park (just past Broadfield on way to Horsham) esp on really hot days as its very leafy and shady so nice and cool. Tilgate I like too (400 acres) but can get busy with picnicers etc (Go see the open air concerts on the lake in June time! bit like the ones in the park in Horsham but nicer scenery..I saw Abba, Bjorn Again at Horsham park!! :D)
     Mill Mount Gardens at Pound Hill is nice Cedars, Redwoods and a lovely Camelia walk (gorgeous scent!) and Bewbush water gardens which lead on to Ifeild Mill pond.
will try to think of more! :D

Great thread by the way...its got very informative!
I would urge anyone not 'au fait' with walking out in the countryside to go to this site http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk
and get a copy of the 'You and your dog in the Countryside' leaflet. its got lots of useful info not just codes and by laws but what to do in event of livestock stampede, snake bites,injury,poisoning,ticks....all sorts!! :D

That's an excellent site, HG - everyone should get themselves a copy of the leaflet and learn it. It could save a lot of misunderstandings and possible heartache.

Hi HuskyGal,
Thanks for the welcome to Rusper It really is lovely! I have met quite a few dog walking locals, and they are all very friendly, one guy took me on his walk to show me a good route with his SBT, and floyd had a whale of a time chasing around with him. This is the walk round the back of the Ghyll Manor, LOVELY. cant wait for the weekend and a nice long stroll in the (hopefully) sunny weather.
Mmmm, shall have to try the restaurant, sounds lovely ... umm, getting hungry now ,... and going to get OH to take me to some of the other parks mentioned, as it is really nice to go and see new places, for floyd as much as me.
Let me know if you are ever returning, could have a Champdogs local union! (quite a few others are from round these parts)
The website and leaflet online is very helpful too,.nice to know exactly where you stand.
x

I'm sick of sheep! They are in the fields next to ours and are constantly making a run for it, through the eleccy fencing, under the fence and into our fields to graze with the horses. They have also discovered how to get onto the front garden and there were twenty outside the front door the other day all baaaing at me. They also go up to the garden and the lambs stick their heads through the fence and eat the lawn - and WILLIS lets them??!! :rolleyes:

>and WILLIS lets them??!!<

ROFL :D :D bless him!! d'you think he's had a "Baa,Ram,Ewe,Baaa,Ram,Ewe" conversation with them like Babe :D

Honestly, you would not believe where these sheep get to. I was in the field shelter the other day and twenty of them strolled past - they couldn't give a toss! I chase them off and they watch to see me go back in the house and race back onto the lawn again! Its no wonder Willis has given up - there were 2 lambs asleep on the other side of the fence to him - taking the mick or what!!
I don't know about sheep worrying - they are worrying me!

If it really is such a problem for you then reinforce your own fences and complain to the farmer.
Becky

Sense of humour failure Becky? We have an excellent relationship with all the farmers round here so I have no need to complain - they just come and use their collies to round them up :)

we live right next to a farm ( no house only barns and storage buildings ) - last Autumn one of my hens got into the field next to ours ( down to grass at the time )  - the farmer shot it ! - I was So mad - she was doing no harm - after all how much harm can a small Silky bantam do ? - mind you we solved the problem by buying the field from the council -( he is a tenant farmer )- and now use it to run the dogs on LOL :D :D :D

Yvonne