Best place to live for dog lovers?

Bluehair

We're house hunting and have been now for some time. We're not in a hurry and given we're invariably going to be there for many years we're being as open minded as possible as to area.

With two Golden Retrievers (amongst other pets) we'd love some opinions as to where might be nice to live for an active family lifestyle with plenty of daily dog walking.

Ideally we'd love to live somewhere a short stroll away from a nice spot to walk the dogs off leash daily.

Any thoughts?

Whispered

I suppose it depends on whether you want to be in a small town or not.

Personally, we got very lucky with where we are. We are on the outskirts of Kilcullen town which gives maybe an hours walk up and back. More if you do the devitions like under the bridge and back up the other side, through the park etc. However, there are not many off lead walking places for our dog, although labs and other breeds are often walked off lead through the park. However the park is small and it's really just a quick run. The town itself is really a lovely place to live for a dog lover with many different types of walk a short drive away.

There are a few houses in the mountains we pass on our way up to various walking spots. Maybe somewhere like hollywood would be good. It's a small town so you're not too isolated, but it's in the mountins (sorry, dublin/wicklow mountains) and surrounded by fab places to walk. Not sure how suited it would be to a family with kids though. Although being a town I assume there is a school etc.

We took the R440 from Birr to Portlaoise today and just as you get to Mountrath there are loads of Sleive Bloom walks. It's a bit isolated but if you had a car would be a stunning place to live.

roxiesmammy

have u thought about somewhere like Portlaoise, emo, portarlington. I live between the 2 ports and there is loads of walks most can be of lead. there is emo wood, corrig wood, there is the beach on the bog, loads more as well. really can take a dif walk everyday for neatly 2 weeks

gypsygirl

My friend lives in Monread, Naas. I bring my rottie pup up once a week to walk with her dogs in the local park, lots of dogs there, all really friendly. Beautiful park, they even supply doggie bags at the entrance to clear up after your dog. Rare to see a dog on leash, most just run around having fun. If I was moving, thats where I'd be looking....

Sigma Force

Co Wicklow, for under half an hours drive depending where you lived you have beaches, forests, lakes, mountains. Used to live in Roundwood and it was the perfect place for walking dogs you have Wicklow or Greystones beach near by, Glendalough (very popular with dog walkers), Trooperstown, the dam/resevoir, forest walks etc. Just a pity the house prices are criminal up there. You never get bored of it because there's always somewhere different to walk if you get fed up with one route. Dogs love it.

All I can say is avoid North Tipp lol

garniey_luvs

would anyone be interested in meeting up in town park to walk socialise their dogs? i have a cavalier and she loves to play with other dogs and would love it if she could do that on a regualr basis

iguana

Your location says Dublin, is that where you are planning to stay? The Templeogue/Terenure/Rathfarnham area near the Dodder and Bushy Park are pretty great. I live right on the Dodder and it's fantastic, we just walk straight out the gate and the walk has started, no need at all for leads most days. It's like doggiegeddon around here, everyone has at least two.

Unfortunately all the Dodder paths don't link up so you can't make a day of it, but you could easily occupy a few hours with lots of swimming for the dogs. And on hot days I wear shorts and bring spare pumps so I can ford the river at a couple of places to extend the walk. That really excites the dogs.:D

iguana

Guineapigrescue wrote: »

Glendalough (very popular with dog walkers),

Are dogs allowed off-lead at Glendalough, we were going to go up there recently but I was told they have to be kept on-lead.

Sigma Force

Any time I've gone dogs have been off the lead, the odd dog on the lead but most of them are off it. I guess it depends on how well a dogs recall is. Have never come across a dog off lead misbehaving when there.

Not much dog poop around considering so either owners pick up after themselves or they're pooping off the path lol.

My parents go there most weeks, sometimes a couple of times a week and always have their dog off lead.

We're staying up here for the weekend so will probably head there sat or sun. I let our pooch off the lead when we get to the middle section but pop him back on long before we reach either car park.

If you are coming from the Dublin direction park in the first car park where parking is free, chip van is robbery so bring a few sambos lol.

Or if you want to head up the Glendalough direction there's always The Dam on the way to Roundwood, dogs are allowed off lead there but hidden in the foresty bit at the bottom of the hill there's a wall with a sheer drop into the water so keeping dogs on the top part is best although they do love running up and down the steep hill there's also sometimes sheep a field away but in general people stick to the top part it's short though.
Even on the lead dogs will love it, so much to smell and see..only down side is lots of tourists who will oo and ahh over your dog.

iguana

Guineapigrescue wrote: »

only down side is lots of tourists who will oo and ahh over your dog.

I'm used to that with my 3-legger.;)

Thanks for the info. We'll definitely head up there soon.