Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => General Chat => Topic started by: Rich.H on August 06, 2013
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I know there was a topic some time back about taking dogs with you camping, however I was just wondering for those who do how you deal with the issues of livestock. Do you just avoid those areas totally or do you find that land owners are reasonable with you providing you have your dog on a lead for those place?
I'm thinking about taking the dog with me on a weekend across the sperrins, but I know much of it is open grazing for sheep and don't want to be getting in a farmer/rambler argument even if I have the dog secured to a lead.
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we are well known for taking our dogs everywhere. we treat livestock and farmers with respect and have never had any issues tbh. as long as the dog/s come back when called, there shouldn't really be any issues. we have met one or two people up the mountains dressed like they were going out clubbing who havn't appreciated our dogs jumping up to lick them to death, but they are few and far between.
I have seen dogs chasing sheep, and the owners of the dogs not paying the slightest notice to what they're up to. they get all dog owners a bad name. that has generally been on donard though where you're more likely to see mr. average up for a day out rather than us 'diehards'!!
the only other thing, when we're approaching a group of walkers, we generally view the group to see whether anyone is showing obvious anxiety about the dogs, and would call the dogs in closer or grab their collar as we pass, again just out of respect, not everyone likes dogs.
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i keep cash on a lead when livestock are about but generally i let him run about. once we hit camp he just burrows into his bed (my bag) and sleeps as hes wacked. I did laugh once when cash was saying hello to a group of older walkers who looked like they had all stepped out of tisos, he was covered in all sorts and a lady was apalled that her coat was now mucky.......it was white!
Most people are very happy to stroke him as they pass but if i see someone a little nervous he is called back. i agree its the small few who give dog owners a bad name.
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I would be the same as Claire above, my 2 are always with me and i know i can trust them to behave. They would be very rarely on the lead. I have been talking to a couple of the farmers who have sheep on the Mournes and they are generally more interested in asking about Izzy, my collie, they they are in complaining.