Fourteen years ago when I got my first Papillon we used to take her to the park, but one day she was chased by two larger dogs and was quite badly bitten, ever since that day I have never let my small dogs off lead in public places for exercise.

My friend Anna came to visit with two of her Papillons last week so we decided to take them with two of my Phalenes out to the local country park and for the first time in 14 years I let my dogs exercise off lead.  The dogs had an absolute ball, but I was a total wreck.  Ater ten mins Anna had had enough of me, we put the dogs on leads and  we went to the cafe for lunch, amazing that small bit of leather can bring your heart rate down. 
Feeling a bit more confident I went back the next day with OH and took all four dogs, after 10 mins when I started to relax a bit and enjoy watching the dogs cavorting all over the place when over the hill came two labradors totally out of control and though our dogs had come together beside us the larger dogs ploughed straight into us, our lot were quite happy to be lifted up out the way of them and as one of the labradors was growling we happily got covered in mud.  The owner sauntered over the hill a few mins later shouting not to worry they wouldn't touch them as they "like small furry things".  We carried the dogs back to the car and went home.  I'm now looking for a field to rent that I can fence off and use to let my dogs free run.

Terrible thing is I never once hesitated about letting Border Collies or GSD's off lead.  The small dogs recall is as good as any larger dog I have had so that isn't an issue, suppose when it comes to it the small one's are just a bit more vulnerable due to there size.

I know exactly what you mean and I too would love a field to rent -any idea how to find one? We're surrounded by fields here but all tend to be in use one way or another. I only ever let my Paps off when I feel sure we're not going to meet other dogs. After all, bigger dogs don't have to bite them, it's enough to STEP on them to injure them. Luckily our front garden is large enough for the paps to really run and play -the size they are it's comparable to the larger dogs having an acre I'd imagine.

Thats such a shame as you say its so great to see them running free.. I may have been lucky so far but I regularly walk my pom/chi and gsd off lead and usually with 2 or three other dogs all medium to big breeds in fact yesterday was the first time we had met a small breed (pom) face to face. Mia has a wonderful time and thinks she is at least as big as my gsd and to date no problems. She has a knack of jumping out the way if the others are playing to close to her.
Her recall is great in fact at times better then gsd , I hope you find somewhere you feel is safe for yours

I back on to fields and used to have ponies. Also have a toy breed(Pekingese)which again I wouldnt let off in a public place as I worry. I took the bull by the horns and wrote to the farmer,initially to buy a small piece of land. Well no reply so I called in to see him. He said there was no way he would sell but I could rent! I jumped at the chance and pay 25.00 a week. I still have my old pony, in view from the window and the dogs get to use it. Plus the pheasants amble in up the garden and I bought a quad bike as well. It is well worth the money just for the fact that it would cost that for the pony on livery. I feel very privileged to have the use of the field. Also in todays climate it would be a good source of income for a farmer. Write a letter, I think mine was quite amusing as the farmer said he laughed when he got, I drew a map of how I envisaged it all!

Worth asking, someone may well snap your hands off! Plus it wont churn the grass up like livestock, so it  could be a win win all round.

Farmers often have fields for grazing - look in the horse or agricultural bit of your local paper - sometimes there are bits that are just too hard to plough for example because of gradient or trees in the way that you might be able to rent cheaply, there are a few fields here that just seem to have areas that lie fallow all the time with the rest of the field planted. Most farmers I know would jump at the chance to get a little extra income for no extra outlay (wouldn't we all?) :-D

wow its gone up since i had horses, i rented a piece of land that was around 90 acres for 15 a month, i did have to share with his cattle and it was in places fairly uneven but my horses manages. oh and that 15 included an old cattle shed that was converted to a stable, feed room and tack room, although i do have to admit this was 12 years ago

Joan, you could always let your lot run off lead with mine, they dont care about other dogs, we have 56 acres of fenced ground!

Some friends of mine go to a training club where the owner has either rented or bought a field as suggested by an earlier poster.  They have dog-proof fenced it and it is rented out by the hour for a small fee to cover costs and enable other fields to be purchased.  I think this is a great way to give dogs a safe environment for free play.

its a shame that councils dont make dog parks like in usa. i wouldnt mind paying a small fee to enter and know i was safe from hocky, football, cricket, joggers, electric cars/aircraft  and bikers!

I know what you mean about being more concerned when the smalls are off lead, I have a GR and a BC they've always done loads of off lead and the size thing has never been an issue, but now I also have 3 Shelties and although no where near as dinky as a Pap or Pom they're still not the heaftiest of dogs.

Although I let mine have loads of off lead I must admit I do watch them more when the big boys are about, we regularly meet a Leon, 3 Newfies and a Spinone on our walks, the boys don't have a rough bone in their bodies they're just BIG, mind you they can't corner like a Sheltie.

I think owners can be a tadge more protective of smalls just because they're small, the thing is I don't reckon the smalls know they're small, some of them have the biggest attitude going :-D

I know what you mean about letting the little ones off lead, I have a chihuahua and a GSD. Both myself and OH are so worried about other dogs hurting the little one. I usually find more abnormal times to walk so we dont meet many other owners. It must be so worrying for you having 4, with me just having 1 Im able to scoop him up quickly when I feel he might be in any danger. It really wouldnt take much at all to hurt him. I hope you find a nice field for your dogs :-)

Since I had my sheltie I have worried about letting her off lead. Where I exercise the dogs (a moor) it is pretty quiet during the day and one doesn't meet a lot of people.  Isla loves to run and hurtles over the other side of fields where sometimes one spots a large dog too far away to be able to do much.  There is no way I couldn't let her off the lead as she just loves her runs,  particularly chasing birds - in the air and on the ground.  I don't sorry a bout my JR and Westie as they are much more substantial (not in  height but in build!).

Snowflake

Fiona (Kenya) if only you didn't live 4 hours away I would be fair tempted to take up your offer, especially since Ayla met the Danes at the show at Bathgate and managed to dogde the drool and no eyed her up with the thought of a wee tasty bit in mind. LOL  :)

Darn!
I missed my opportunity to coax a gorgeous wee Phalene into my coat pocket and exit stage left (or rather field!) ;)