Just wanting to pick your brains a bit here.
OH and I are looking to purchase a field, about 2/3 acres as an investment. We were thinking of renting it out (Fully fenced and lockable) for private dog walking (on a hour by hour basis) for those with agression/bolting/problem dogs.
Now a few questions.
Would 2/3 acres be big enough?
Would you want to be able to drive your car in or would parking on the road (Quiet country lane) be OK.?Would you need water on hand?
How much would you be willing to pay?
It would be less than 10 mins from the town centre so local for lots of people.
Thanks
Aileen

Oooh that sounds interesting, I know i'm in the same area as you and would happily pay to have somewhere I could let my Akita run free without escaping!
I would say 2 or 3 acres would be plenty big enough if it means people can let their dogs run freely with no worries.

I dont have much to offer as i dont know much about this, but how would you secure the field to stop general members of the public using it??
Could be a potential danger if someone with an aggressive dog was off lead only to find someone else come walking in???

The plan is to fully fence it to a hight of at least 4ft and have just one access gate which is lockable and keys only given to those who rent it. The field is flat and you can see all of it from the gate so easy to spot anyone else in it. Of course someone could "Break" in but it's unlikly and once you and dog are in it you can lock the gate behind you!!
Aileen

im not sure if you are writing two thirds of an acre or two to three acres? If the former then not big enough in my opinion, but if the latter, then it would be good. Think you would need planning permission as well....change of use etc.

sounds a great idea. Know quite a few in my area who would love somewhere like that. I would think people could easily take water with them, you do when you go to the beach or forest with dog, I wouldnt suggest you let people drive in as if ground is a bit wet you would get a very poached up entrance - think show carpark entrances and access tracks , could you cope with the phone call...my car is stuck in the gateway!!!
Chris

It would be 2 to 3 acres !
Aileen

Hi,

I thinks it's a good idea and something I have considered but I don't think 4ft fencing would be high enough or at least it would restrict certain dogs and breeds that may potentially find it a very useful venue and may give you a lot more custom.  Huskies, Akitas and lots of hunting breeds that could clear 4ft with ease especially if they saw a deer or bunny on the other side.  I'd thought if I was going to do it then it would be 6ft fencing as a minimum.

I imagine the cost of putting a 4 - 6 ft fence around a 2 - 3 acre field is going to be quite a bit?

The field in question has a high hedge all round it, about 6ft high but the hedge of course would be got throughable! so the need for a strong fence lower down. We would fence inside that giving a total height of 6ft.  Should put off the majority of "High flyers" !! Yes we have included the cost of fencing in the equasion LOL!! Had a walk round it tonight and it's full of Bunnies!! Merlot would have a ball!!
Would you think people would want a full hour at a time of would half an hour  or 45 mins be better? I was thinking of about £7.00 per week for every day use of up to 1 hr at a time. does that sound reasonable? Have to have a rota of course. We do not need to make money out of it but it would be nice to have some revenue. I could rent it out for grazing but thought the idea of safe dog walking would be nice, and there is I think a need for it as so many people have dogs with issues and no doubt would like a safe..free run... area for thier dogs. I also though it may be good for some training, with smelly distractions but no other dogs. Or even getting an agility club or such like involved if  they want.
Aileen

I hire a 3.5 acre field with very strong 6' high fencing round and I pay £5 for that.  It is very secure though and if any dog did manage to get out they would just be in another enclosure as there are several of varying sizes.  The smaller ones start at £1 for small dogs or training and go up to the £5 for the large field.
Its well maintained and the grass is kept cut and water is supplied.
Its lovely because I can take my fear aggresive Shady there and she can run free and play frisbee and I can totally relax knowing no other dog will appear.
Added bonus is there are hills as well as large flat areas and a couple of very big old oak trees in the field so the hills make them tire quicker and the trees are lovely to go and sit under when its hot or you just want to chill.

sounds great, just what i've been looking for. don't suppose you live anywhere near me?

Is that for exclusive use? or for so long each day?
Aileen

I would be very interested in renting it ;)

What a fantastic idea. Wonder if I dare approach local farmer. There seem to be a lot of fields permanetly unused near me. Would make him a bit of dosh and fulfil the needs of considerate owners in the area. The best of luck to you. Hope it works out. I would willingly pay for the service.

Sounds like a great idea and there was a time (and another breed) when I would have paid double to use such a resource.

Thankfully now, I share my life with a sociable breed and we don't have a problem meeting other dogs etc.

Just a thought though.....given we live in an age which fosters a 'blame culture' etc....

If a dog/owner fell/tripped/slipped on the land.....? :(
You would need liability insurance I imagine?

Good luck and I sincerely hope it works out for you :)

if only you were in our neighbourhood!!!! We'd sign up like a shot. Why don't you have a think about introducing some other interest--some rough cover, a pond, an 'alley' for training for retrieves?

Is that for exclusive use? or for so long each day?

I usually hire it 2-3 times per week.  I have it to myself when i am there.   Other people also hire it at different times.  But whoever hires it has thier chosen time exclusivly just for them.
You will need insurance though because if someones dog hurts itself running madly there or somebody trips and falls you don't want to worry about them sueing you.

I'd definetly pay to use it! There aren't many places i can let my dogs run as i don't trust them 100% to come back when called(huskies). Somewhere secure would be a godsend for me.

Well we have decided to go for it. The auction is tomorrow so fingers and toes and paws! crossed that we get it. I am really looking forward to it.
Will update tomorrow.
Aileen

Just to say OH will put it in the name of the buisness and he pays through the nose for public liability on any land he ownes already so that would be covered. The idea of a rough bit of cover and some hilly bits sounds good...have to get OH with the digger in there!! There are lots of trees round three sides so plenty of shade in the heat.
Aileen

Best of luck at the auction. :)

Oh we will be down, to go for a walk on your private land good luck in the auction!

Good Luck I hope you get it.

Brilliant idea  - hope you're successful at the auction :)

This sounds like a brilliant idea. I have just one question - In which area is this going to be?

On the Somerset Dorset borders.
Aileen

Bit far too far for me (hahaha 6 hours in fact), but just wanted to say I think it is a fabulous idea and good luck with the auction!!  If only there was something like that up here :-D

Good luck hope you get it :) let us know if you do :)

I'd be really keen on the idea and would easily be happy to pay £5 - £10 for 2 hours a couple of days a week.  If this were available around here. I'd love the use of a field to train my dogs for agility and obedience.

I would want to be able to drive my car into the field with my dogs and equipment. Ideally I would like a storage facilty on the site too if that could be arranged.

I think the idea is great - but surely land is too expensive to be affordable to hire out so cheaply.

And sadly you are way too far away for me too.

Aileen how do you fancy a move to south Cumbria? I know a very busy little GSD who would love a good run in your field especially if you were to put an agility course in
Best of luck with the auction.
Sharon

what about PP? / change of use from agricultural usage?

Well I am sorry to dissapiont those of you who PM'd me but the field went for nearly twice the guide price and though we knew it would be more we could not justify this much...Oh well we will keep looking!!
Aileen

Oh b*gg*r ! It would have been brilliant, too far away for me though ':-('

What a shame.  It was a lovely idea.

Just been looking at guide prices around here - for a lump of totally unusable land with full public rights of access the guide price starts at around £4,000 for 2 acres, and anything up to £100,000 for a small usable chunk of land. The average for 3 acres of 'not to be developed' land  seems to be £20,000 to £40,000. But it is a nice dream.

That's a shame for you but i'm sure something will come up at some point.
I heard they were selling some land off around Mudford - don't have exact details though.

The land at Mudford was sold prior to auction. It was  a huge estate in Ashcott with a farm house (Huge and very old but in great condition) 5 cottages and some nice chunks of land but all snapped up very quickly by one buyer!!
The bit we wanted had a guide price of £16,000 but sold for £29,500!!
We will keep looking. Not easily put off LOL ;)
Aileen

That is a shame!!

Good luck with your venture - fantastic idea - wish there were more around [sadly yuo're too far for me too.

[url=]Just wanting to pick your brains a bit here.
OH and I are looking to purchase a field, about 2/3 acres as an investment. We were thinking of renting it out (Fully fenced and lockable) for private dog walking (on a hour by hour basis) for those with agression/bolting/problem dogs.
Now a few questions.
Would 2/3 acres be big enough?

Yes, more than enough

Would you want to be able to drive your car in or would parking on the road (Quiet country lane) be OK.?

Either, as long as you can tuck your car out of the way, if a narrow lane

Would you need water on hand?

No, that would not bother me

How much would you be willing to pay?

Around £3 for an hr, give or take  reduced rate if you go every day

It would be less than 10 mins from the town centre so local for lots of people.
Thanks
Aileen [/url]

Where are you, would be on your customer list..LOL!!

I would have to be sure they field was dog proof, and 100% sure no other dogs got in while I was there.

Good idea, good luck!!

Just my 2 pence worth. We rent a 3 acre field for £5 per week to run our dogs in. We have unlimited access to it and it's fully enclosed and lockable. I'm sure people would pay to rent your field especially if you advertise it. We couldn't live without our field.