advice/info needed, moving to dub.

lispyelf

hi
Found this board during my afternoon researching doggy life in Dublin. It's been extremely helpful but a little concerning...particularly the thread 'where do you walk your dog'
I currently live in Salisbury (very doggy friendly and lots of green off-lead spaces within walking distance) but I have to move to Dublin next month and I'm trying to work out if life would be ok for my best mate, Sparkle, a very beautiful,gentle, well behaved lurcher. She's accustomed to a daily off-lead run and lots of dog and people socialisation. Several friends have offered her a home but it will break my heart if I have to do that..so..my queries.

I'll live within walking distance of Phoenix Park, can she be off-lead there? Obviously with me being alert and responsible (thinking of deer etc) she is used to sheep,cows,horses and llama and is afraid of deer.

Are dogs allowed on public transport?
I don't drive at the moment and would depend on it for a bit of variety and getting out and about.

I'm getting the impression that greyhounds suffer a certain prejudice? Am I right in thinking that they have to be kept on the lead? Sparkle is a whippet/greyhound cross, so looks like a small greyhound. Will this cause any extra problems?

I know dogs are adaptive creatures but I want to ensure that she'll have a good quality of life. I do suspect some of my worries are more about my expectations rather than any insurmountable difficulties but any advice or comments gratefully received
liz

Jumpy

You really shouldnt let him off the lead in the Phoenix park.
Especially not the breed that he is, good natured or not they are known to be unpredictable and will frighten people.
Also, all dogs must be kept on a lead in a public place, by someone who is capable of controlling them.

fits

Jumpy wrote: »

Especially not the breed that he is, good natured or not they are known to be unpredictable and will frighten people..

known by who..... :mad:

OP dogs arent really allowed on public transport in Dublin which will be your biggest issue I'd say.
You would be able to allow the dog off-lead in Phoenix Park as long as she is under control. I've never walked mine there.

Actually lurchers and greyhounds are becoming really popular as pets especially around Dublin so that shouldnt be a problem. I'm seeing more and more of them, and have two myself.

Sorry, I dont think I was much help but perhaps others will be able to give you better local info.

Jumpy

fits wrote: »

known by who..... :mad:

OP dogs arent really allowed on public transport in Dublin which will be your biggest issue I'd say.
You would be able to allow the dog off-lead in Phoenix Park as long as she is under control. I've never walked mine there.

Actually lurchers and greyhounds are becoming really popular as pets especially around Dublin so that shouldnt be a problem. I'm seeing more and more of them, and have two myself.

Sorry, I dont think I was much help but perhaps others will be able to give you better local info.

Under control = On lead.

Jumpy

Just before anyone argues the point.

BYE-LAWS RELATING TO DOGS IN THE PARK.


7. (1) Every person in charge of a dog in the Park shall take reasonable care to prevent such dog from


(a) causing annoyance to any person using the Park, and


(b) worrying or fighting with other dogs, and


(c) worrying, chasing, injuring, or disturbing any deer or other animals in the Park.


(2) No person in charge of a dog in the Park shall engage such dog in coursing or permit such dog to be engaged in coursing in the Park.


(3) No person shall train a whippet in the Park or engage any whippet of which he is in charge or permit such whippet to be engaged in racing in the Park.


BYE-LAWS RELATING TO DOGS TAKEN INTO THE PARK GARDENS.


8. (1) No person shall take into the Park Gardens any dog unless such dog is led by such person upon a leash, cord, chain or other sufficient fastening.


(2) Every dog taken into the Park Gardens shall during the whole time in which such dog remains in the Park Gardens be kept by the person in charge thereof upon a leash, cord, chain, or other sufficient fastening.

fits

Jumpy wrote: »

Under control = On lead.

= your opinion

Jumpy

fits wrote: »

= your opinion

= Irish Law, statute ref S.I. No. 6/1926

Fine limit - Fines up to 1,904.61 euro on conviction.

fits

Jumpy wrote: »

= Irish Law, statute ref S.I. No. 6/1926

Fine limit - Fines up to 1,904.61 euro on conviction.

What is your problem? There is nothing in those park by laws you quoted about keeping your dog on a lead (except in the park gardens).

Jumpy

If the gardens are a separate section then I apologise, I am not familiar with the area. I have however been told by our local dog warden that "under control" specifies on a lead.
There was a local dog that kept coming into my yard to terrorise my cat. Specifically stated that the dog must be on a lead to be under control.

fits

Jumpy wrote: »

There was a local dog that kept coming into my yard to terrorise my cat. Specifically stated that the dog must be on a lead to be under control.

That must have been annoying and scary for you, and completely unjustifiable... but can you understand that it is important for dogs to be able to have some off lead exercise (when it is safe to do so). Especially for a dog such as the OP's... they *need* to run every now and then... but every dog needs to sniff and snuffle and wander and mooch around once in a while.

OP have you any pics? I have whippy greyhound cross too. Sweetest little fellow ever..

Leeby

I don't remember where I got it from but I thought greyhounds (specifically them, not all dogs) had to be kept on a lead at all times.

Some woman walks her greyhounds off the lead on the beach near me and if one of them spots my dog even from a distance the greyhound darts at him and goes to attack. Admitedly the greyhound is muzzled so can't do the damage he'd like to but he still gives my dog a fair hit considering the size difference and the fact that the greyhound hits him at full speed.

fits

Leeby wrote: »

Some woman walks her greyhounds off the lead on the beach near me and if one of them spots my dog even from a distance the greyhound darts at him and goes to attack. Admitedly the greyhound is muzzled so can't do the damage he'd like to but he still gives my dog a fair hit considering the size difference and the fact that the greyhound hits him at full speed.

Therefore all greyhounds are aggressive...

OP's dog isnt a greyhound btw... its a lurcher.

lispyelf

Jumpy and Fits, thanks for your replies to my dilemma...interesting:rolleyes:

Trying hard not to be defensive on behalf of Sparkle, but I think my query regarding greyhound prejudice has been answered. I was shocked to see the breed being described as unpredictable and frightening. Never, ever come across that before, in fact, quite the opposite. Sparkle has quite a fan club amongst local children and has helped successfully treat many children and some adults with dog phobia. I was terrified of dogs for many years, so that's why I gave her a child-friendly name, and taught her lots of silly tricks which children love.

Yes, they do have a high prey drive, but with adequate training can be controlled. I was lucky to rescue her at 7wks and her prey drive has been transferred to a complete devotion to chasing and retrieving her beloved tennis ball. As a result when we encounter a small furry thing, she goes..furry thing or ball, and it's always the ball she chooses:) Fits is so right, she does need a good burn out off lead, and a sniff/mooch.
I've have no probs. whatsoever in nearly 4yrs of daily off lead walks in parks.
There is no such thing as 100% dependability with any dog but with an (almost obsessively) alert, observant,responsible owner and adequate training in good doggie manners she's a pleasure to go out and about with.
Jumpy sorry to hear about your experience, I get annoyed too by irresponsible dog owners, particularly as it can give the rest of us a bad name

thanks for clarifying the Park and transport issue..I think I'll need to learn to drive asap

Sorry Fits, no photos on this computer, but hopefully I'll find the gadget to connect my camera while I'm packing. Where do you bring you dogs for a run?

fits

I'm surprised at the reaction this time too. Really, the prejudice can still be quite bad in some areas, but I thought it was getting better around Dublin. I've rarely had a bad experience with people when out walking them (I can only think of one).

I actually live in the country... and I've loads of free space to let the dogs off. My two dont have a high prey drive either, but I did rescue another greyhound with really high prey drive last January, and she was quite difficult to manage off lead.

Heres my two anyway. whippety boy is very biddable... saluki/borzoi/wolfhound boy is an enigma, but so handsome and chilled... obedience wouldnt be a virtue of his though.
They're also a major hit with children as they're so relaxed, friendly and not bouncy.

lispyelf

my girl is almost identical to your whippety boy..same colouring even the white markings are in the same place.

fits

Really.. Oh you have to show me a pic now!

lispyelf

packing packing packing....i'm sure i'll find the camera thingy and when I do I promise a photo

fits

Good luck for the move...

Leeby

fits wrote: »

Therefore all greyhounds are aggressive...

OP's dog isnt a greyhound btw... its a lurcher.

ok...... I didn't say at any point in my post that all greyhounds are aggressive, I told a story about one greyhound I come across, I didn't say I think they're an aggressive breed and I don't think they are, I wouldn't judge a whole breed on one dog, in fact if you reread the post you'll see that I say she walks her greyhounds (plural) and it's only one that attacks.