Hillwalking with dogs

Eyeball Tickler

I take it this is the main forum for hill walking/ climbing etc?

I'm trying to get some information on the practicalities of hill walking with dogs. I have one Jack Russell terrier, and my girlfriend has two medium-sized mongrels. All are quite obedient, though my Jack Russell does like to run after things sometimes.

We're both keen on getting into the hills more, but we'd really like to take the dogs with us. We're used to taking them for long walks on the weekend.

Does anyone here take dogs out hill-walking? Do you keep them on leads the whole time (this would seem impractical) or let them run off? Obviously the degree of freedom you can give the dog is dependent on how well behaved they are (particularly around sheep etc), but I'm just curious as to what peoples' experiences are.

I divide my time between Dublin and Galway, so in writing this I'm particularly thinking about Connemara and the Dublin/Wicklow Mountains.

Thanks.

Eyeball Tickler

Ah, I see there was a post on a similar topic just a week ago - still, any further input would be appreciated as that one was specifically on clubs that might allow dogs.

NathanKingerlee

I've a dog and would love to take her on the hills, but gererally don't.

Even if they're on a lead, by your side, sheep and cows will still usually react badly to seeing a dog. Then the farmer sees his animals being startled by a dog, assumes all hill walkers are irresponsible and eventual result is the farmer closing his land/hills to walkers. Even Kerry Way / Wicklow Way - same situation.

If it's an area with no animals and no farmers I may bring my dog.
I'd say as a dog owner it's not the impact your dog has that you need to worry about, it's more the percieved or assumed impact that the landowners may take, and we need their permission usually to walk the hills.

Evil Phil

I did take my dog up the boardwalk on Djouce and he loved it. The few sheep we saw were long gone before he noticed them. He was on the lead all the time and was more interested in jumping into bog holes than anything.

There were a few dogs, all on leads, on the walk so perhaps the board walks are okay. I wouldn't take him anywere else.

cavedave

I have gone walking with my dog, keeping him on a lead all the time.

NathanKingerlee

Even if they're on a lead, by your side, sheep and cows will still usually react badly to seeing a dog

It is a reasonable point that even a dog on a short lead can freak out livestock.
The MCI say not to take a dog with you hillwalking "Avoid taking dogs on the hills at any time"

hmmm

Hills aren't usually public parks and as others have pointed out we are generally only allowed on hills thanks to the permission of the landowners. Landowners have made it clear they don't welcome dogs so I would respect that.

Donny5

I've seen dogs loads of places in Wicklow, and I'd not be bothered at all by it. Try going up the leads mines, the glenmalure trails, the hills around the Sally Gap, up around the Shay Elliot Forest Recreation Park.

NathanKingerlee

It is great having your dog out on the hills with you, so I guess the thing to do is find places where landowners welcome dogs

K2

Hi op, apart for the obvious problem with sheep you need to consider the route you are taking. I've brought my dog around the Sheefrys when he was a bit younger but theres no way I;d bring him with me in the Bens or around Mweel Rea...to many cliffs and crags.Picking a safe route for your self can be diff enough without having to mind the dog aswell...just my 50cents worth.

loobylou

NathanKingerlee wrote: »

I've a dog and would love to take her on the hills, but gererally don't.

Even if they're on a lead, by your side, sheep and cows will still usually react badly to seeing a dog.

I don't find this at all. I bring my dog out on the hills all the time and naturally we pass a lot of sheep. She has been trained to ignore them and they almost always ignore her. The only time they react is if given a fright by our sudden appearance at close quarters.
A properly trained dog will not cause sheep a problem.

Fresh_Air

There is a good trail near the Powerscourt Water fall where we have taken the dogs out on occassion. Nice wide paths, lots of tree and now sign of any animals.

The biggest problem you will have there is meeting other dogs that have been let of the lead

Outdoor_Freak

Fresh_Air wrote: »

There is a good trail near the Powerscourt Water fall where we have taken the dogs out on occassion. Nice wide paths, lots of tree and now sign of any animals.

The biggest problem you will have there is meeting other dogs that have been let of the lead

I've been up there walking dogs with friends, they take them all the time becuase they can let them run relatively free. At one stage the wood cover does get a little bit thin though and you have to make sure that the dogs don't jump the wall into the adjoining farm land

sharkbite1983

Ive always let dogs off the lead when were out on rural walks.
Let me know if you want more details of some of the walks I do, let me know, but there's some lovely ones near me in blessington. I'd do them in the evening after work, some of them are only and hour or so, others id be gone 12 hours. the dogs get much more exercise this way, i dont think its fair to keep them on a lead when there's f**k all around for miles.

Not many sheep up this way either, so its perfect.

Here we are when he was a bit smaller, we went camping and fishing for the night.

coolmoose

I regularly bring my girl (black Lab) hillwalking, and she loves it. Wouldn't bring her onto land that specifically has signs saying No Dogs (i.e. Galtys), but shes been up the Knockmealdowns and the Shehys numerous times with me. Never walked on a lead, is trained to stay around me, and she will not chase after sheep/livestock.

Saying that if a landowner came up to me and asked me to leave their land with the dog I would do so instantly. Until that, if there are no signs, I don't see an issue with bringing a properly trained dog hillwalking, once they are physically capable of it.

Here she is on Knockboy

johngalway

As a Connemara native, sheep farmer, and hill walker, I would advise against bringing dogs on walks around here. People are welcome, dogs are generally not welcome.

duckysauce

even if they are on leads John ?

johngalway

duckysauce wrote: »

even if they are on leads John ?

Usually the same story Ducky. Often collars are ill fitted and when the dog becomes interested in a ewe or lamb, one pull in the right direction and it's away. There's also the issue of trust when it comes to dog walkers, that once out of sight, they do as they please.

We've had sheep ripped, drowned and lambs aborted with dogs before. Any farmer who has, which is quite a few in this area, will not look kindly on dogs.

I'm not having a go at anyone, just imparting the view from the hills

duckysauce

cool makes sense

johngalway

johngalway wrote: »

We've had sheep ripped, drowned and lambs aborted with dogs before. Any farmer who has, which is quite a few in this area, will not look kindly on dogs.

Would be my worry too. Don't want to sound too familiar with the behaviour of sheep (;)) but they can be extraordinarily skittish. And have seen people, out of ignorance rather than malice of course, think nothing of striding through sheep sending them scattering (infuriating) thinking that there is no harm caused, but not seeing the sheep in turn rip themselves on fences, twist and break legs, abort lambs with fear etc. I just think that dogs and sheep don't mix well. No matter how controlled the dog is, the sheep can hardly appreciate the lack of threat, and even without any contact with the dog at all the sheep's own fear may cause adverse consequences. You can't grab a sheep by the shoulders, shake it and say 'it's on a bloody lead, pull yourself together'! But of course it is very much a matter of degree, and proximity.

Slogger Jogger

Saw some walkers with a dog (no lead) heading up Fraughen Rock Glen today. Pretty sure theres a no dogs sign in the vicinity. Park rangers were also in the vicinity in their 4x4.

michelleans

I always take my dogs when hillwalking. They go offlead when they can, but always onlead if there are signs up to leash them, also if we pass a person/other dogs/approach livestock I always put them on lead. It's simple manners. IF there is a no dogs sign I accept it, pay attention to it and don't enter. Me and my dogs enjoy another route

There are always people who let their dogs roam and some dogs will attack sheep, but not all people and dogs are like this. I always make a wide berth around any sheep I come across.

For me, I enjoy walking, but only when I have my dogs with me

recedite

Livestock, including sheep, have no problem with a dog that stays with its owner and does not chase them. Sheep farmers themselves are often accompanied by a dog.
A dog in the hills should be under control, either by being well trained or by being on a lead. But bringing a dog with you that attacks other dogs or livestock gives all other dog owners a bad reputaton.

Kevin Duffy

recedite wrote: »

Sheep farmers themselves are often accompanied by a dog..

Which is bred and trained to work with sheep under very tight direction, by frightening them into going where the farmer directs. Not a valid comparison at all and your statement about livestock having no problem with dogs is simply not true. Even the limited number of people posting in this thread, sheep farmer among them, will tell you that.

recedite

recedite wrote: »

Sheep farmers themselves are often accompanied by a dog.

But that is their dog, which is used to control their sheep, usually by fear, which is precisely why sheep are scared of dogs...

Farmers often own guns, but not sure that means all walkers can stroll around with them too.

recedite

Kevin Duffy wrote: »

your statement about livestock having no problem with dogs is simply not true. .

It's all about distance; keeping a respectable distance they will merely turn their heads and watch.

Lets say 1 or 2% of dog owners have a dog with them which would chase livestock given the chance, has got off the lead, and does not respond to a recall command. These are the morons. Obviously hill farmers would favour a blanket ban on all dogs then, because it's the easy safe option.
But this does not suit the other 99%.
Actually there are plenty of hill farmers who favour a ban on all hillwalkers with or without dogs. That is the safest option of all. You never know when some moron is going to break down a fence or leave a gate open.

recedite

Deleted User wrote: »

But that is their dog, which is used to control their sheep, usually by fear, which is precisely why sheep are scared of dogs...
.

Sheep are also scared of humans. Sheepdogs are used because they can do a lot of running around for a small bowl of food and no pay.
The proximity at which you can pass a flock of sheep without having the sheep move away is only slightly greater with dog alongside, compared to without a dog. It's the chasing of pregnant ewes that causes the real damage.

johngalway

The simplest answer to this is go to a livestock mart in the area and ask.

You'll find that the vast majority of people have no objections to HW's without dogs once they know they;

Can't be sued for a fall/injury.
Will leave things, gates, fences etc. as found.
Don't leave rubbish behind.

Another thing which crops up is people like to be asked. Though this is not always possible I suppose.

If you mention walking with dogs to the people who own the land, the vast majority being sheep farmers, you'll get a flat no.

There are cranky and disagreeable types in all professions.

loobylou

Deleted User wrote: »

But that is their dog, which is used to control their sheep, usually by fear, which is precisely why sheep are scared of dogs...

Everyone here knows that sheep are scared of dogs that chase and harass them.
The point being made though is that this is not all dogs.
A similar argument is sometimes made against hillwalkers. Some litter/leave gates open/ light fires etc.
Understandably farmers may decide to ban all hillwalkers from their land, even though most are careful and responsible.

loobylou

loobylou wrote: »

Everyone here knows that sheep are scared of dogs that chase and harass them.

In my experience they can be scared of the sight of dogs and the bark of dogs, not just dogs harrassing them.

Do all these dogs also remain silent?

How does one persuade the sheep that the dog is under control and there is nothing to worry about?

recedite

recedite wrote: »

Sheep are also scared of humans. Sheepdogs are used because they can do a lot of running around for a small bowl of food and no pay.

You make it sound like they are just used because they are cheaper than humans! When you factor in the cost of buying a good sheepdog, it's as well they don't look for pay!

480905

If you want to combine Hillwalking and exercising your dog.....

Check out

SARDA Ireland :: Search And Rescue Dog Assocation Of Ireland

They're always looking for volunteers and will assess your dog to see of they have any aptitude for SAR work.