What on earth is going on, was showing at Newark yesterday and in the show hall it was like being in mothercare!!!!!!!!!! have your dogs not got a leg at each corner?? we have single pushchairs and double pushchairs, we gundog folk were gobsmacked and somewhat ticked off to be having to move every 2 minutes so that these doggy mummies with their little doggy babies in pushchairs could get passed!!! I suppose this is not going to be a popular opinion with the "doggy mummies" but get a grip it ridicules the dogs!!!

I hate them!  My mum said that she'd get one to take the Pom's round in and I told her that I'd disown her, luckily for once she listened, he, he!!

They are ridiclous I saw a ridgeback in one once!

lol we were laughing at these at crufts

oh my lord a doggy ridgeback baby in a pushchair, mine mind is boggling, xx

Since I first saw them in the USA I have always said I would get one for Puglet when her mobility gets worse (she is my small and wobbly pug!) She adores going for walks, but can only do a little way before needing to be carried.  I do have a "pooch pouch" which means she can come on longer outings with the rest of the bunch and my hands are not completley tied up with carrying her every 5 mins - she even did the great north dog walk in one a few years ago.  However I don't see how the pus chairs are useful at shows - admitedly I use a cage and trolley, but with a doggy pushchair where on earth do you put all the stuff you need, and grooming table or top?  Just seem like a waste of space in the already cramped ringside area.  However, as a means of getting a less than able small dog around, I can see the point.
bye
Gwen

My older dog is already slowing down.I would use one so she could still come along on our daily walks,so i wouldn't be forever standing waiting for her to catch up,as i'm starting to do now. She enjoys plodding and watching the other dogs racing around much more so than joining in.

they use them at shows to wander about with, in fact posing like yummy mummys!!! these are not ill or disabled dogs they are show dogs with a perfect  leg at each corner!!! but i suppose they serve the purpose of making us all laugh hysterically until they barge the blooming things into us!!!!!

Hi everyone
I would definately get one if I needed to especially as it would enable weaker/older/wobblier :) dogs to still have fun/walks without having to go without, and watch others going out - it would be a shame if they had to stay home all the time !!
Also, what about small dogs on leads in crowds of people - must be quite scary not being able to see ahead and dodging legs all the time.!!
My Little fella always asks to be carried nearing the end of his park/wooded walks (the ones where he dashes around off lead :) ) but not on his 'round the block pavement pounding' LOL - I won't be getting one yet though, he'll have to wait a good few years (touch wood)

I have thought about getting one when I get my next dog (hopefully a rott) as I don't want the pup to have to sit in the car while my current dog gets huge walks.  I think they are great for old/young/sick dogs who still need a bit of socialisation but can't spend hours racing around the park.  I would rather face a bit of ridicule for the first few months than have a dog with ruined hips for the rest of it's life.  I don't think they are necessary all the time and I believe that people should get a dog that suits their lifestyle but adapting to a lifestyle takes time.

> I have thought about getting one when I get my next dog (hopefully a rott) as I don't want the pup to have to sit in the car while my current dog gets huge walks.

I have thought about doing this as well when I get my next pup. I don't drive so I'd have to take pup back home and then go out with my older dog which seems a shame as the pup could have so much more mental stimulation and socialisation if it could be included, whereas with it staying at home it would be ready for action again by the time I got back with the older dog!

I would just go to a charity shop and get any old second hand buggy, not one of those OTT designer ones. Not sure how you would keep said pup on the seat though!

I have thought about getting one, with having a small dog.  Sometimes its just easier I would think.  When you take a litter of pups to the vets, then you can put them in that, and keep them together along with mom. 
A pin breeder I am friends with has one, and she says it makes it easier when you are trying to get to place to place, as most people dont stop to see babies, but pups, everyone wants a look.  She can have her litter in the stroller, and just get from point A to point B a lot easier.  It is also easier to have a couple dogs in the stroller, than to carry a couple Vari Kennels.

My sister wants to get one for her cats, who just love the outdoors, but my sister lives on a highway and therefor it isnt totally safe for the cats to be outdoors.  She could load them in, and then go for a walk with them, or sit out on her balcony. 

I can also see its usefullness with older dogs, that arent able to walk great distances.  They still need the fresh air, but if they can only walk for say 5 minutes, it doesnt give them much.  If I could have gotten one for Joy, when she was failing,then it would have been easier to get her out for some air.  She couldnt even walk round the complex before she needed to lay down near her end.  But she just loved the fresh air. 

I could also see using one for a hurt dog.  I would think the strollers are less bumpy than you either trying to carry them, or have them in a kennel bouncing off the side of your leg.  Again, also to the mobility part, if your dog is healing from a leg injury, but you want them to get some air, then it would be good.  My friends dog had a broken leg, and wasnt supposed to have any pressure on it for 8 weeks.  After a while, she put the dog in the stroller, and just took her outside.  She settled down, and was quite content just laying in the stroller.  In the house, in a crate, she was going right mad! 

So even though strollers are a crazy idea to some people, they also have their benefits.

BTW, I wouldnt use one at a show, I would walk my dog to ringside, and have her kennel in the grooming area.

i can see their appeal  when its muddy and you have several small dogs to take to a show.

Utter tosh!

Old dogs still need to use their legs to keep their joints supple and mobile.  I wouldn't dream of putting my 13 year old in a pushchair & I think she would hate every minute of it too ditto the 16 year old I walk for her owners too, she enjoys her fresh air, a sniff of the ground & to meet other dogs.

totally agree with you zarah, but have a vision of a wee old lady bending down to see the bonny baby and seeing a big furry face and a tongue coming at them to give a good licking. lol

I Think that they are awful , we were at a show where my newfies where quite happy sitting next to me, when a young girl had one of these contraptions with her goldie in it , she asked me to move my dogs so that she could get through , well you all know what most shows are like , not much room but i shuffled my newfies out of the way.
Next thing i hear is a dog scream, she had run over a puppy Griffon , well you can imagine the riot that kicked off  a Goldie in a push chair?????
Turns out the Griffons leg had been broken by 40kg of goldie and pushchair going over it!
The show manager is not interested as it was nothing to do with the running of the show.
I think they should only be used in exceptional circumstances at a dog show !!

Peanuts

> I think they should only be used in exceptional circumstances at a dog show !!

There's no difference to having a dog in a pushchair at shows to having a crate on wheels though is there.  Some people wheel their dogs in on a crate (normally when it's muddy and they have long coats) - now pushchairs seem to have taken over in some cases.

I would never advocate having one as a fashion accessory but my Mum has one for her 14 year old Yorkie.  The Yorkie still likes to go out on walks with the Silky but can't go very far.  Mum has trouble carrying her (she's 75) so the pushchair is a real godsend.

Debs

> Utter tosh!Old dogs still need to use their legs to keep their joints supple and mobile.

But some dogs simply do not have the mobility.  Puglet has what my old vet described as mulitple birth defects.  However she has indomitable spirit, and considers herself leader of the pack.  She hates to miss out on a walk when the rest of the pugs go, and stresses if left home alone.  However because of her problem she can walk only very small distances on hard surfaces, and has great difficulty on gravel or rough ground.  She does better on grass, and starts off with a great burst of energy, cantering away for at least 10 yards!  However, she soon runs out of steam, and has to slow and then stop.  This is why she has the pooch pouch.  However I can see the day sometime in the future when pushing her in a buggy or similar will mean she can still enjoy the outdoors without putting too much strain on her little joints, feet and breathing.

Don't assume that all dogs are the same, some have problems which require alternative thinking.

bye
Gwen

Well put Gwen, i'm with you on this one! Lois

But some dogs simply do not have the mobility.

My Rufus is one of these elderly dogs that most definitely CANNOT go for regular walks. He has been for exactly one walk in the past year. I can definitely say he would be extremely upset to be put into a pushchair and taken out and not be allowed/able to walk. It's the walking, sniffing the ground etc that he enjoys, not just being outside. After all, he goes outside into the garden to wee several times a day. Sitting in a push chair he'd miss out on everything.

I've seen Pembroke Corgis in pushchairs at shows   for goodness sake, they are a hardy WORKING DOG !!!! - or at least they should be!   What on earth would they be in a pushchair for???   So what if there's mud??  it brushes out when it's dry!!

I can see the point for a very elderly dog to sit in when going for a potter and needing to rest, our elderly AffieX would be able to walk so far and then would sit down, I ended up carrying him home on many occasions in the rain but he was heavy, and too large for me (I'm under 5ft) so in those circumstances it would have been a help ;)

Gwen,

Your dog is an exception as it has birth defects.  I'm going by probabaly 90% of older dogs, they can use their legs & 'buggie's' really aren't necessary.  There will always be exceptions to the rules however I have to say Miranda, my 13 year old, does have back problems which have given her a funny gait & she is easily knocked off her legs with boisterous dogs, I wouldn't put her in a pushchair & if I did, I know she wouldn't be happy in it.

Not the only exception.

My friend has one for her oldest Bichon - who is now approaching 16.  Whilst she loves going out on her walks she cannot keep up distance or speed wise with the younger 5, so when she gets tired she goes into the buggy, but only when she's had enough.  Leaving her at home on her own is not an option as she gets totally stressed out.

Kate

I think the point is that for lots of older or less mobile dogs buggies are a useful way to allow them to enjoy the outdoors and feel  they are not missing out.  With Puglet, for instance, the pouch I use now, and a buggy later probably, allows her some excercise, then a ridge when she needs it - have to add that the buggy will probably make things easier for me to, she only wieghs 11 lbs, but you feel the weight after a while whne she is in her pouch.

However, I don't as yet see the point of them at shows.  I use a trolley and cage, which allows me to get dogs and equipment in single handed, but certianly don't wander aroudn the show and tradestands with it!  Of course, I am always willing to understand someone elses point of view, if it is explained to me.
bye

I didn't Gwen's dog was the only exception but there's plenty of older dogs out there who can exercise & not need pushchairs - what did dogs do before their advent?   The 16 year old I walk is a GSD X and she is still a game old girl, sniffing out hare & rabbits all on her own 4 legs not in a pushchair.

The thread is really about 'able' dogs being pushed around instead of walking when they so easily can - so yes, it is ridiculous to treat a dog like this. :)

On the other hand, if a dog is less 'able' then yes, a buggy can be a godsend allowing it to participate in things it would so easily miss out on.

None of us would want to see our old girl/boy looking on with longing as we prepare a walk /outing with our younger dogs - a walk they cannot go on due to ill health, lack of strength etc.

There are many pros and cons in the use of doggie pushchairs and the circumstances that they could/should be used for.

There is an old saying 'the mind is willing - but the body is weak!' applies to dogs too!!!  :) :)

I'm pretty much with you on this Christine - a dog's pleasure IMO is to sniff, wander and investigate the scents and tracks of other four legged members who've visited previously.  No dog I've had to date, regardless of age or deterioration in physical health, would have appreciated "going on walks" on wheels - not much different to travelling in a car or looking out of the lounge window at other dogs enjoying freedom.

Like everything there are likely to be exceptions but let's hope this silly trend doesn't catch on further still :(

regards, Teri

I haven't used a dog pushchair but when one of the labs was young she would accompany the other dogs on their walks in a 3 wheeler child's pushchair. She will be 6 in October so it was a while ago but we did get funny looks out on the moors with her. She travelled on walks like this until she was 9 months old. She would do a little and then we'd pop her in the pushchair. Obviously at 9 months old a lab is big but she would just sit in.
I think it is a great idea for pups like this who can't be walked far due to joints.

>My Rufus is one of these elderly dogs that most definitely CANNOT go for regular walks. He has been for exactly one walk in the past year. I can definitely say he would be extremely upset to be put into a pushchair and taken out and not be allowed/able to walk.

But why? Wouldn't he be happier than having to sit at home while the others get to go for walks? Or are you saying he wouldn't sit in the chair and want to run around and do more damage to himself?
Couldn't he go for a little potter and then when he gets tired,put him in the pushchair? Wouldn't this be nicer for him than leaving him at home where he doesn't get to experience any of the outside world at all?
I'm just looking at the lesser of the 2 evils,stay at home,or get to go out and have a backup(pushchair) when they get tired/sore.

>Utter tosh!Old dogs still need to use their legs to keep their joints supple and mobile.

I agree Christine. But what do you do when you have younger dogs that can run for hours,and an older one that wants to stop after 10 minutes?It's not fair on the fit dogs to have to walk at a snails pace so the older or invalid can keep up,nor is it fair to cut the walk short because of them.Having a pushchair would keep everyone happy.

but surely we should NOT be breeding dogs that are unable to walk for themselves !!!! ( what ammunition for the anti pedigree dog faction)- how ridiculous that we now consider it ok to treat them like animated dolls - dressing them up in 'cute' outfits and pushing them about in strollers - come on folks - no matter how small the breed these are DOGS - treat them like the animals they are !

Yvonne

But what do you do when you have younger dogs that can run for hours,and an older one that wants to stop after 10 minutes?I

...simple - take them out separately - it's what I do - I let my youngsters have a mad rush about and a chance to really use up some of their energy - then I take my oldies for a gentle potter along the river bank.

As Teri has mentioned it's the mooching about, smelling and exploring that the oldies love -I cannot believe that sitting in a pushchair even comes close to their idea of a walk !.

Yvonne

Must reply to this.

I have a buggy that has a cage on that I push around all shows I go to-my Affenpinscher sticks his out of the top and is greatly admired by all.

He is more than able to walk himself-he goes out every day up in the hills of the Peak District with his pal a Lab/Ret plus two other Affens.

The reason for the buggy is safety/security-plus I really do like pushing the buggy.

And if you have a dog that looks like a Monkey-meaning my dog-well, already ridiculed in my humble opinion !!!

So each to their own I say.

Blimey i am obviously useless at getting my point across!

If i were to use a buggy it would be up to the dog if he wanted to sit in it or not.When he got tired he could sit in the pram and have a rest,when he got his energy back he could get back out again.I would never tether him in or make him sit in it if he didn't want to.

>it's the mooching about, smelling and exploring that the oldies love -I cannot believe that sitting in a pushchair even comes close to their idea of a walk !.

But Why cant they do both? Walk for a bit,get tired,jump in the pram etc etc By the way,my youngsters also enjoy mooching,smelling and exploring. The pushchair would be used when the oldies/invalids/injured have had enough,but the youngsters or owner have not.

>...simple - take them out separately -

Gawd,i have neither the energy,time or inclination to take my dogs out for walks separately.Exercising them takes up large chunks of my days and nights as it is,lettalone doing them separately The ones left behind would freak! And why should the older ones be relegated to shorter outings just because they cant walk as long or as fast? It's the time they are out and away from the house that also counts for a lot.
Like i said before my oldies(in the past) still want to go out on walks,but they much prefer to watch and potter instead of join in,in the rough and tumble.I have never shortened their walks,just took it easier.

If i Havn't made myself clear just let me know and i will try and clarify further.

quote"Utter tosh!

Old dogs still need to use their legs to keep their joints supple and mobile Quote"

......................Well if  it allows an  elderly person  to carry on  showing their dogs  . Why not!!.  each to the own,   .  Just because its used as a means to take dogs into a show  doen't mean that  owners need to use them all the time.

>simple - take them out separately

I agree totally. In fact several shorter walks is much more fun for the oldies because it's not the duration of the walk that matters a jot to them - the most exciting bit is the anticipation and getting the collar and lead on! A ten minute stroll into the village or up the lane a few times a day is far better physically and mentally than one longer walk. And they really benefit from the one-to-one attention rather than being part of a group.

> ...simple - take them out separately - it's what I do - I let my youngsters have a mad rush about and a chance to really use up some of their energy - then I take my oldies for a gentle potter along the river bank.

This is all very well if you're fit enough to go for several walks.  My mother (being 75) can only go out for one walk a day - she finds walking on grass and rougher ground very difficult.  She normally walks with a stick but when she has the pushchair she can use that instead and can walk for longer.  When Hannah (the elderly Yorkie) wants to get out she lets Mum know and she gets out for five minutes then asks to go back in.  Mum cannot cope with carrying a dog and having a stick at the same time.

Debs

Sorry, I still can't grab the concept..............

I have an old large breed dog she is 13, she has back problems but she can still walk with my younger dogs.   So why can't other old dogs do this?   I'm not dragging her out against her will, she enjoys it.  She would hate it more if I lifted her from my car into a pushchair, I wouldn't undignify her by trying to make her sit in one.  What did dogs, show & pet do before pushchairs were invented? C'mon folks they've only  been around a year or so ago, it's not that long ago, you can remember!!!!!

>Sorry, I still can't grab the concept..............

Nor me. The whole idea's ridiculous.

WE do seem to have some very polarised views here!  I think people need to remember that dogs need's and owners capabilities, plus time available and numbers of dogs to be excercised add up to  an enormous number of possible excercise scenarios.  From a purely personal point of view, I already do 2 or 3 seperate walks, depending on pups etc.  I have an oldie with seperate needs - Junior is now quite deaf and very short sighted, he gets an individual on lead walk and enjoys the one to one attention.  He has settled nicely into a sedate lifestyle suitable to his age and abilities - and is capable of brisk on lead walking, but due to his sight and hearing loss can no longer be safely allowed to enjoy loose running away from my garden.  I then do puppy walks as necessary, depending on resident pups at any time.  Then comes the pug walk, and my girls expect to go out en masse, including Puglet.  We go to a park in the car, and then they can run together.  This is where having some sort of transport for Puglet is essential, she loves the ability to run and play on the grass, to sniff and roll, but can only walk for short distances.  I see no reason why she should be excluded from these walks because of her lack of mobility, just because some people consider that putting her in a pouch or buggy is silly.  In my opinion she is far better being included,  short bursts of excercise/play,and then periods of riding to rest. I can't see how it would benefit her (or me) to leave her at home to stress when the others go, and then take her for a slow potter around on her own.  She does enjoy a toddle out on a lead to the post office etc, with a little one to one time, but fully expects to be included in the big walks too.

If my bunch of dogs produce this number of different excercise needs I fully understand and appreciate how many other possibilities there are for other owners.  I don't understand some of the absolute pronouncements that have been made in this thread from various posters apparently stating that  this or that method is the best or only way. 
bye
Gwen

The problem as I see it is that it's yet another way that dogs (particularly small dogs) are denied the right to be dogs and are relegated to being a child-substitute, which is a terrible shame.

If elderly/lame large dogs enjoy short but more frequent walks on their own legs, why should small ones be denied the pleasure?

> Sorry, I still can't grab the concept..............

Why not?  It's very simple.  When I have an older dog that can no longer do the longer walks I do take them out seperately.  My mother cannot physically do this.  Maybe it's hard for some people to understand the concept of older people being restricted by health problems?  I don't know.  Seems very simple to me.  Before Mum had her pushchair she was fitter and was able to walk more than once a day.  She got hers four years ago - not one ;)

Debs

Its not older people having health problems I can't understand, it's the need for a dog pushchair.    You walk within your & your own dog's capabilities.   Yesterday, I walked my dogs on 4 separate walks & still had time to work 6 hours so dividing your time & your individual dog's physical needs is possible.

Personally I think a lot have been bought as talking points, cutesey toy dog at a show in a pink pushchair.   Prepare for a mass sale on eBay next year when another gadget is favoured to 'show-off' your dog.

> Its not older people having health problems I can't understand, it's the need for a dog pushchair.    You walk within your & your own dog's capabilities.

Yes, but Mum has two dogs.  An older but perfectly fit Silky who needs a longer walk and an elderly Yorkie who can walk for about five minutes at a time. 

> Personally I think a lot have been bought as talking points, cutesey toy dog at a show in a pink pushchair.

Absolutely agree.  But just because some people buy them for the wrong reasons doesn't mean that other people can't enjoy the benefit of having them for the right reasons :)

Debs

> If elderly/lame large dogs enjoy short but more frequent walks on their own legs, why should small ones be denied the pleasure?

Precisley my point!  Why should Puglet be denied the pleasure of enjoying the longer walk, just becasue her legs are not up to the distance.  She gets the fun of the  walk and the free play with the rest of the pug pack, and I choose to use a converyance of some sort, be it carry pouch or (in the future) buggy rather than just carrying her in my arms for the rest periods. Different dog/human excercise needs mean different excercise patterns are essential.  Just because my methods suit me and my dogs I would not suggest they are the only way someone else could excersie there own dog with different needs.  I can think of no reason why denying Puglet the group walk, and making do with just the "on lead" toddles round the village would benefit her in any way at all.  She would stress when the others went without her, and would not get the benefit of playing with  (and bossing) the rest in the park.

But I fully understand that some oldies/infirm dogs benfit from one to one walks for short periods, as previously stated I have one myself.  Different needs dictate different excercise given.
bye
Gwen

>Just because my methods suit me and my dogs I would not suggest they are the only way someone else could excersie there own dog with different needs.

But would you take the other, fit, dogs in a pushchair when they're perfectly able to walk by themselves? This is what seems to be happening with these buggies - healthy dogs are actually being denied the opportunity for exercise because they're confined within the buggy. This is denying them their birthright IMO.

> But would you take the other, fit, dogs in a pushchair when they're perfectly able to walk by themselves? This is what seems to be happening with these buggies - healthy dogs are actually being denied the opportunity for exercise because they're confined within the buggy. This is denying them their birthright IMO.

Totally agree JG!  But this is not the scenarios that Gwen and I are putting forward :)  I think everyone is in agreement that pushing fit active dogs around in pushchairs is not a good thing to do.

Debs

Blimey did open can of worms with my post!!!! but stick by my original post of these pushchairs looking totally foolish the very design of them, cutsie pink for girl babies (oops no dogs!!) and baby blue for boy doggies, is specifically designed to make the dogs in them baby substitutes,  they parade around the shows as proud as punch, very like I was with ny first human baby, these are generally not elderley owners nor obviously are the dogs old and crippled!!! I expect to look in one anytime now and see a dog sucking a dummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

>I think everyone is in agreement that pushing fit active dogs around in pushchairs is not a good thing to do.

Which is what the original post was all about! :-D

True :-D  But my original reason for bringing my Mother into this was that people shouldn't automatically assume that they're being used for the wrong reasons and "hysterically laugh" when they see one ;)

As I said before - I see no difference in wheeling a dog into a show in a pushchair to wheeling one in in a crate, as long as the dogs get exercised whilst they're at the shows there really is no difference.  Having said that - I'd leave my dog whilst I popped to the loo in a crate but I wouldn't leave one in a pushchair.  (Am now having mad mental images of a Pharaoh in a buggy!! LOL)

Debs

I understand what the original post was about, and have said in at least 2 of my posts that I don't understand their use at dog shows at all, and hoped someone would put their point forward for them in that scenario, for which we had one response, I think.  However I also pointed out that in other situations they had their uses.  Their followed several posts stating that this was not the best way to excercise dogs with low mobility.  One or two of us than made the point that different mobility and needs of both dogs and owners make then a valid tool in the right circumstances.  One of the uses of forums such as this is the opportunity to discuss and open up topics, adding thoughts and opinions around a subject, I don't feel that by discussing the uses of buggies for dogs away from shows has strayed off topic in a big way, simply opened the discussion out.