Dog in the Lake District
Discussion
Dear dog-owning Pistonheaders, my family and I are hoping to visit the Lake District soon, lockdown permitting. This is the first time visiting with the new hound in tow. I was wondering if said hound needs to be kept on the leash on all walks around the fells. I’m aware we’ll be visiting in lambing season so suspect we’ll need to be super careful. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts. Leash at all times, or off leash in sheep-free areas?
Kwackersaki said:
The trouble is the buggers are everywhere up there. We do let ours off in certain areas but you need to constantly be on the lookout as in many places they just roam wild.
Halfway up Coniston you should be ok though!
Thanks for the reply. We’re staying near Ambleside and we’ve been walking there for years. This is the first time going there with Lila (lab). I know how the sheep tend to be dotted around all over the place and I’m mindful of how she reacts when she sees a squirrel. I’m also somewhat horrified by the recent news of the dog mauling that poor seal by the Thames. Anyway, if she needs to be kept on the leash then so be it. Halfway up Coniston you should be ok though!
I think a lot depends on your dog. My 9yo JRT/Patterdale will be off lead all the time unless we're going through fields full of livestock, or if we're walking right next to them on the mountains - or anywhere near mums with lambs/calves. She isn't really interested in chasing sheep anymore, although deer/foxes she'll go mad.
However with a young lab I'd be more cautious, and probably keep them on lead unless I was sure no livestock about - especially in lambing season. Young dogs are less predictable, generally more up for a chase and labs will be faster so more capable of catching them, and bigger so more capable of doing some damage if they do catch up.
However with a young lab I'd be more cautious, and probably keep them on lead unless I was sure no livestock about - especially in lambing season. Young dogs are less predictable, generally more up for a chase and labs will be faster so more capable of catching them, and bigger so more capable of doing some damage if they do catch up.
Hmm my country view is keep dog on a lead whenever on land that has sheep or cows on it, you are entering someone else's backgarden with their stock on, so many people get astonished by their dogs "natural" behaviour when they chase stock. Also, if you let your dog off the lead when you are amongst cows and calves you deserve the trampling you will hopefully get, it will happen suddenly and you will find 700kg of defensive cow quite awakening, let alone a herd of many.
You must remember this land is the farmers' and their animals live on it, many don't respect that hence the prickly attitude of farmers with people overly intent of giving their pup a long unseen lead. I've shot several dogs now when they are chewing on a sheep and won't back down, it's always brutal (especially for the sheep or lamb) but deserved and still owners dispute what their dog has done.
If your livelihood got chased and chewed by pets all the time, you would get fed up with peoples' attitudes. So, my advice is keep dogs on a lead whenever they are in the same landspace as the foodsource.
Keeping a lead on engenders such a more positive reaction, it shows awareness of dog control.
You must remember this land is the farmers' and their animals live on it, many don't respect that hence the prickly attitude of farmers with people overly intent of giving their pup a long unseen lead. I've shot several dogs now when they are chewing on a sheep and won't back down, it's always brutal (especially for the sheep or lamb) but deserved and still owners dispute what their dog has done.
If your livelihood got chased and chewed by pets all the time, you would get fed up with peoples' attitudes. So, my advice is keep dogs on a lead whenever they are in the same landspace as the foodsource.
Keeping a lead on engenders such a more positive reaction, it shows awareness of dog control.
Always a contentious issue this however, my view is that if you own the field then do as you please otherwise your dog should be on the lead.
Whilst your dog my not be bothered and well trained there is nothing stopping the livestock taking an interest. We had a recent cow stampede locally, the lady was in a coma for 3 months.
Whilst your dog my not be bothered and well trained there is nothing stopping the livestock taking an interest. We had a recent cow stampede locally, the lady was in a coma for 3 months.
If there is livestock around the dog should be on a lead. Even if you are the other side of the fence. Dogs can jump fences. Around here you see facebook messages often from farmers warning of dogs bothering livestock. They will shot them if needed. Proper lead and keep under control.
Thevet said:
Hmm my country view is keep dog on a lead whenever on land that has sheep or cows on it, you are entering someone else's backgarden with their stock on, so many people get astonished by their dogs "natural" behaviour when they chase stock. Also, if you let your dog off the lead when you are amongst cows and calves you deserve the trampling you will hopefully get, it will happen suddenly and you will find 700kg of defensive cow quite awakening, let alone a herd of many.
You must remember this land is the farmers' and their animals live on it, many don't respect that hence the prickly attitude of farmers with people overly intent of giving their pup a long unseen lead. I've shot several dogs now when they are chewing on a sheep and won't back down, it's always brutal (especially for the sheep or lamb) but deserved and still owners dispute what their dog has done.
If your livelihood got chased and chewed by pets all the time, you would get fed up with peoples' attitudes. So, my advice is keep dogs on a lead whenever they are in the same landspace as the foodsource.
Keeping a lead on engenders such a more positive reaction, it shows awareness of dog control.
I underdstand your point of view - it does make lake district walking hard though as there is potentially sheep pretty much anywhere, and if you're doing any of the hills there is a risk of sheep all the way to the top a lot of the time.You must remember this land is the farmers' and their animals live on it, many don't respect that hence the prickly attitude of farmers with people overly intent of giving their pup a long unseen lead. I've shot several dogs now when they are chewing on a sheep and won't back down, it's always brutal (especially for the sheep or lamb) but deserved and still owners dispute what their dog has done.
If your livelihood got chased and chewed by pets all the time, you would get fed up with peoples' attitudes. So, my advice is keep dogs on a lead whenever they are in the same landspace as the foodsource.
Keeping a lead on engenders such a more positive reaction, it shows awareness of dog control.
I guess I might be a bit naive, I've only ever had this one dog and when she did start to give chase once or twice when she was younger and we were suprised by sheep (and horse once) she recalled after a yell or two. Now she genuinely doesn't bother with them.
To be clear when there is obvious sheep/cattle etc she's on lead, I'm talking about walking where you can't rule out livestock but can't see any.
Maybe we have become a little too relaxed with Mable but we aren't far from the lakes so we're there a lot and having her on a lead up every mountain would be unenjoyable for her and for me, and I do trust her. But she is a 8kg patterdale - if/when we get another pooch I would definitely be much more careful than I am with Mable now.
Use your own judgement. Only you know your dog.
Generally when I take the parents dog out for a walk here in the Lakes, I let him off the lead most of the time, but if we are in a smaller field which has sheep/cattle in it, then I put him on the lead as a bit of a courtesy and the right thing to do.
If the field is massive, covering most of the fellside, and has sheep hundreds of metres away in the distance, then I don't put him on.
I do this because the dog is sensible, a working gun dog, and has grown up being off the lead, so doesn't have any urges to run off or anything. It is normal for him to be loose and come back when asked to.
At the end of the day, it's the countryside, and if your dog can't spend it's time off the lead here, where the heck can it be off the lead?
One thing I will say is that there are a lot more people visiting the lakes these days, and they seem to all be obsessed with dogs being on the lead at all times, presumably because thats how they walk them back home. These people, despite being visitors, will tut at you and make comments about your dog not being on the lead whilst in the middle if f
king nowhere.
They always seem to be the sort of people who own horrible snarling yappy little dogs who go apest when casually approached by a 'local dog' who is off the lead. They will sometimes shout at you to 'get your dog under control' or 'put your dog on a lead' as it casually walks past them and their yappy dog 
You can tell who is local because they will be strolling along casually and their dog will be 50 yards in front or behind them, just enjoying itself sniffing about or exploring.
In short: Enjoy yourself, have a great time, and let your dog enjoy itself off the lead except in fields with livestock.
Generally when I take the parents dog out for a walk here in the Lakes, I let him off the lead most of the time, but if we are in a smaller field which has sheep/cattle in it, then I put him on the lead as a bit of a courtesy and the right thing to do.
If the field is massive, covering most of the fellside, and has sheep hundreds of metres away in the distance, then I don't put him on.
I do this because the dog is sensible, a working gun dog, and has grown up being off the lead, so doesn't have any urges to run off or anything. It is normal for him to be loose and come back when asked to.
At the end of the day, it's the countryside, and if your dog can't spend it's time off the lead here, where the heck can it be off the lead?
One thing I will say is that there are a lot more people visiting the lakes these days, and they seem to all be obsessed with dogs being on the lead at all times, presumably because thats how they walk them back home. These people, despite being visitors, will tut at you and make comments about your dog not being on the lead whilst in the middle if f
king nowhere.They always seem to be the sort of people who own horrible snarling yappy little dogs who go apes
t when casually approached by a 'local dog' who is off the lead. They will sometimes shout at you to 'get your dog under control' or 'put your dog on a lead' as it casually walks past them and their yappy dog You can tell who is local because they will be strolling along casually and their dog will be 50 yards in front or behind them, just enjoying itself sniffing about or exploring.
In short: Enjoy yourself, have a great time, and let your dog enjoy itself off the lead except in fields with livestock.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 24th March 16:42
Don't forget bird nesting season. Short leads required on all CROW land between 1st March and 31st July.
"During the period beginning with 1st March and ending with 31st July in each year, section 2(1) does not entitle a person to be on any land if he takes, or allows to enter or remain, any dog which is not on a short lead".
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/37/sched...
"During the period beginning with 1st March and ending with 31st July in each year, section 2(1) does not entitle a person to be on any land if he takes, or allows to enter or remain, any dog which is not on a short lead".
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/37/sched...
ARHarh said:
If there is livestock around the dog should be on a lead. Even if you are the other side of the fence. Dogs can jump fences. Around here you see facebook messages often from farmers warning of dogs bothering livestock. They will shot them if needed. Proper lead and keep under control.
Plenty of dogs can be kept under control without the need for a lead. Would you say a working sheepdog was out of control? Unfortunately many dog owners have no idea of what 'control' is, ie represents many months of training. On the subject of cows - no, dogs shouldn't be on a lead. Human lives come first and if attacked a dog on a lead will slow you down. Most sensible practice is to avoid any field with young and adult cows in it. I really appreciate all the replies. As Lila’s only 9 months I’ll probably keep her on the lead at all times, even though she’s very well trained. I know the Lake District well and you can never be sure if there’s going to be a sheep just around the next corner. As a London dog her experience of sheep is limited so I’ll use this year’s trip as a socialisation exercise.
Sounds wise!
This is what MR search dogs go through before they're accepted as "trainees". https://www.facebook.com/wmsar/videos/421407828791...
This is what MR search dogs go through before they're accepted as "trainees". https://www.facebook.com/wmsar/videos/421407828791...
silentbrown said:
Sounds wise!
This is what MR search dogs go through before they're accepted as "trainees". https://www.facebook.com/wmsar/videos/421407828791...
That’s seriously impressive! I need to implement that training and substitute squirrels for sheep!This is what MR search dogs go through before they're accepted as "trainees". https://www.facebook.com/wmsar/videos/421407828791...
I underdstand your point of view - it does make lake district walking hard though as there is potentially sheep pretty much anywhere, and if you're doing any of the hills there is a risk of sheep all the way to the top a lot of the time.
I guess I might be a bit naive, I've only ever had this one dog and when she did start to give chase once or twice when she was younger and we were suprised by sheep (and horse once) she recalled after a yell or two. Now she genuinely doesn't bother with them.
To be honest didn't you spot the sheep!!!!! honestly you should not be in charge of a predator in the wild. go look at the QC's dog who has just killed a seal pup on BBC news. You don't get it just like the pit bull owners don't, I never thought that could happen your honour. FFS listen to country advice and expect a sheep around every corner.
And if this advice makes it more difficult for you to walk in the lakes, then stick to the local park where your mindset will be much better accepted. The sheep live there with their lambs and se dogs as the predators they are. I remember the face of one of my previous employers, the vet who advised All creatures great and small on TV, as his terrier pulled the all the skin off one of his wensleydale sheep, only took abiout 10 seconds, but what a bloody mess.
Thevet said:
To be honest didn't you spot the sheep!!!!! honestly you should not be in charge of a predator in the wild. go look at the QC's dog who has just killed a seal pup on BBC news. You don't get it just like the pit bull owners don't, I never thought that could happen your honour. FFS listen to country advice and expect a sheep around every corner.
And if this advice makes it more difficult for you to walk in the lakes, then stick to the local park where your mindset will be much better accepted. The sheep live there with their lambs and se dogs as the predators they are. I remember the face of one of my previous employers, the vet who advised All creatures great and small on TV, as his terrier pulled the all the skin off one of his wensleydale sheep, only took abiout 10 seconds, but what a bloody mess.
I'm not sure if you've ever been to the lakes, but there are plenty of walls, rocks, caves, dips, etc for sheep to be lingering in. It's pretty easy to not see them until you're right next to them.And if this advice makes it more difficult for you to walk in the lakes, then stick to the local park where your mindset will be much better accepted. The sheep live there with their lambs and se dogs as the predators they are. I remember the face of one of my previous employers, the vet who advised All creatures great and small on TV, as his terrier pulled the all the skin off one of his wensleydale sheep, only took abiout 10 seconds, but what a bloody mess.
To be honest I think you need to relax a little, both at your attitude towards me and also walking dogs. If you can't take a dog for an off lead walk in the middle of the lakes, well, what's the point in having a dog. She's done all the big peaks in the lakes with us, as well as plenty in scotland and yorkshire and no sheep have ever been harmed.
We go to the Lake District and take our dog (5 year old BMH).
We've been going there since he was one, & generally very good off the lead. However, up there with all the temptation we just walk him on a flexi lead. I don't think he's missing out & with a 5 metre line he does still get to roam about a bit.
We've been going there since he was one, & generally very good off the lead. However, up there with all the temptation we just walk him on a flexi lead. I don't think he's missing out & with a 5 metre line he does still get to roam about a bit.
TheBALDpuma said:
I'm not sure if you've ever been to the lakes, but there are plenty of walls, rocks, caves, dips, etc for sheep to be lingering in. It's pretty easy to not see them until you're right next to them.
To be honest I think you need to relax a little, both at your attitude towards me and also walking dogs. If you can't take a dog for an off lead walk in the middle of the lakes, well, what's the point in having a dog. She's done all the big peaks in the lakes with us, as well as plenty in scotland and yorkshire and no sheep have ever been harmed.
I have climbed most of the peaks in the lakes, most with hound some without. I can relax easily but still get confused by people thinking that they should be able to let their dog off the lead when there is stock around, I still get confused by people saying what's the point of having a dog if you can't let it off the lead in an area where there is free range stock, and until you understand the damage that can be done by almost any dog, you won't understand why questioning the need to keep your dog under control around stock is so important. Our dogs are always on a lead in areas of stock, some parts like the forests are not stock areas and so they often get free then, but due to their pack idea, they get releaded when other dogs arrive, it's just easier that way. If you come upon stock by surprise, then it proves my point that dog under control in that area is necessary as you haven't appreciated where sheep live and roam. Also, biting a sheep isn't the only way to harass sheep, startling and chasing them is sometimes just as damaging, but usually when there are more sheep in a "crowd".To be honest I think you need to relax a little, both at your attitude towards me and also walking dogs. If you can't take a dog for an off lead walk in the middle of the lakes, well, what's the point in having a dog. She's done all the big peaks in the lakes with us, as well as plenty in scotland and yorkshire and no sheep have ever been harmed.
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