Dogs at Badminton

Hm. As a dog lover, who has far too many of the little hairies, and as someone who has seen dogs run loose on courses, I am wobbling on the fence on this one :o

We were going to go to Badders yesterday and today, but due to colds we couldn't, however if we had, our dogs would have stayed at home with a pet sitting coming in twice each day. Our dogs are equine friendly, don't run off, don't bark, and we wouldn't have taken them round the trade stands, but I think it would have been too long a day for them in mud, rain and cold. Any dog that whines/howls, etc. is obviously scared, stressed, or so wound up that it really should be at home.

As a thought, apart from dogs running loose on the course, or biting around the horses legs, should it be that a horse and rider should be so in the zone that a barking dog should not distract?

It's difficult as horse people tend to have dogs. A lot of them (people and dogs lol) are well behaved in all circs, but it's hard to police for the ones that don't. I'm glad it's not a decision I have to make (other than for my own dogs).

And our dogs are trimmed, so in the cold and wet they have coats :D. I'm looking for a pretty pink mac for one of the girls even as we speak :D :D :D.
 
I`m another who thinks it`s not fair on the poor mutts and can`t understand why anybody would want to inflict that on 'mans best friend'!
As others have said, not so bad around the course (but also think if you can`t stop your dog from yapping at the horses you should be asked to leave!)
but around the trade stands it boarders on cruetly! They get kicked, trod on, and it can`t be very pleasant for them to be swamped by so many humans :-(
 
Eriskayowner said:
My mistake - yes it was!

:S
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Phew :p Glad I'm not losing all my marbles yet :p :D



To get back to the original subject though. I have no objections to people taking their dogs to big events such as Badminton but firmly believe they should be under control at all times. I have 2 dogs and wouldn't take them to any show as I know they would be upset at the sheer volume of people. Its not fair to the dogs and not fair to the people who would have to listen to them voicing their displeasure :o
 
I didn't go to Badminton but will be going to Chatsworth and/or Burghley and WILL be taking my dog....she loves it! She's kept on a lead at all times and has no problem whatsoever with that - to her its a great day out.
She is well behaved and my OH will take her off if I want to look round the stalls - however, I don't agree with people standing right next to the fences with their dogs, just in case. We will be standing well back.

Oh and if its cold/wet/windy we do put a waterproof on her as she's a Weimeraner, has a very short coat and does feel the cold easily.....just like a TB!! The dog police would be on to me as quick as a flash if she was wet and shivering!

All it needs is a bit of common sense people.....the same as people who take toddlers...
 
Fair enough...but I mean the hugely hairy collies and huskie type dogs that wore little coats :P

I think it's fine to take your dog if they enjoy it, and the owner is responsible. But I did see a lot of miserable dogs and a few owners who weren't being responsible. The woman who I gave a kind word to after her dog lunged at a gray horse at the colt pond gave me a mouthful of abuse! And I was nothing but polite to her :( But I couldn't say nothing and her continue to not pay attention to her dog and something perhaps more dangerous happening, if not to the horse then her dog.
 
I do see your point heather, paticularly about the hairies that are rugged! its just the ridiculous people who say that dogs shouldn't be allowed at all that I have a problem with....of course there's always those that aren't responsible...just like some horse owners, mothers etc etc etc....but we just have to accept that there's always the good and the exceptional few bad in all walks of life.
my dog needs/likes A LOT of exercise so she loves a day's outing at an event....it helps to keep her fitness up for when we go hill walking in wales!

And why on earth would dogs be accessories ffs?!?!?! They are pets and need care, attention and exercise just like horses do....
 
I'd never take a dog to an event, my parents left our family dogs at home with my little sister when they went last year but my Aunt who went with them took her black lab along. Bramble is incredibly docile and has been to Badminton and Burghley several times, she's very good around horses, other dogs, cows, crowds, excellent and obedient temperament in general and everyone falls in love with her. For whatever reason she was an absolute nightmare all day - barking and making to chase every horse that passed, tugging at the lead to the extent that my Aunt had to give the lead to my Dad to hold onto, being aggressive toward other dogs.

She was clearly having an off day as by the time they got home she was back to her usual waggy, happy self but my point is they couldn't have predicted she'd behave the way she did and if she'd got loose my Aunt is sure she'd have got herself kicked or startled a horse.

Just not worth the risk of startling a horse/causing an accident/dog being miserable IMHO
 
I love to take one or several of my dogs to Badminton and various sporting and coutry events. However I think sooner rather than later the oppotunity to do so will be a thing of the past thanks to the idiots who do not scoop the poop nor keep their yappers under control. I am not aware of any loose ones this year? But the shrill yapping as the horses went past, both on the flat and at fences with the owner gazing off into the distance with a "it's not my dog barking" look is unforgiveable. I know the horses "should" be used to crowds etc. But from past experience I have had 2 at advanced level who were not dog happy horses and yes it did take their eye off the job for that split second, once resulting in a nasty fall. That was from a Jack Rat on a flexi lead who dashed out still on the lead, one stride from the fence, too late, committed, horse tried to duck right but impulsion carried us into the fence and I ended up with a broken collar bone & sternum.

Had another who did not even notice a border t racing after it with a flexi lead bouncing along behind. There was one chap on tv with what looked like a bull terrier x, self black with a white bib and legs sitting barking at the top of it's range as a horse went through to a fence and you could see the horse's ear and head incline in that direction. All well saying the horse and rider should be "in the zone", you tell that to the horse! All are individuals, some could have a bear run at them and carry on, others would notice a rat running along a top rail.
 
Difficult one! Personally I hate to see dogs being dragged around the trade areas, getting pushed about and trodden on, I dont know a single dog who enjoys shopping !! Also Badminton is hugely busy on XC day so even if you're planning on staying out in the country it is still very crowded so no place for a dog really. Certainly my 2 older ones would hate it although I am considering taking pup, she will be 9 months by September, to Blenheim on the Saturday, we will park ourselves somewhere on course and if she gets tired take it in turns to sit with her whilst the other goes for a wander. However, if it is too hot or too wet she will stay at home with the other 2 and our neighbour will pop in several times to see to them all. I appreciate that some dogs are more used to getting out and about to these types of event and are pretty chilled about it all but there were a lot of very miserable looking pooches on display yesterday who Im sure would have rather been at home.
 
This sort of thread makes me PMSL - all these categorical statements that "dogs should not be allowed" or "it is no place for a dog" :D

I have always taken dog(s) when I go eventing (whether watching or competing) and I always will. FFS I know my dog well enough to know when she is not enjoying herself, just like I know when my horse is not enjoying himself :confused:

Yesterday I took one greyhound, who did not make a sound the whole time she was there. She did not attempt to run after the horses, she did not attempt to pick a fight with other dogs (despite several dogs trying to do so with her), I cleaned up after her, she had a coat because she needed one, she was offered drinks at very regular intervals throughout the day, and I avoided trade stands and crowded areas around fences because I knew she wouldnt enjoy them.

So please can someone explain why I shouldnt have taken her? :)
 
Gazehound said:
This sort of thread makes me PMSL - all these categorical statements that "dogs should not be allowed" or "it is no place for a dog" :D

I have always taken dog(s) when I go eventing (whether watching or competing) and I always will. FFS I know my dog well enough to know when she is not enjoying herself, just like I know when my horse is not enjoying himself :confused:

Yesterday I took one greyhound, who did not make a sound the whole time she was there. She did not attempt to run after the horses, she did not attempt to pick a fight with other dogs (despite several dogs trying to do so with her), I cleaned up after her, she had a coat because she needed one, she was offered drinks at very regular intervals throughout the day, and I avoided trade stands and crowded areas around fences because I knew she wouldnt enjoy them.

So please can someone explain why I shouldnt have taken her? :)
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I'm not a 'it is no place for a dog' person. I just personally wouldn't take a dog after my parents/Aunt got home from Badminton last year and told me how badly Bramble had behaved! I don't think anyone would have bet on that as she's always been great at events and is such a little star, she just clearly had a real off-day and could have caused some trouble had she got loose. As it was they cut the day short because she was clearly not a happy bunny. I just wouldn't take a dog myself after that
 
I can understand why people want to take dogs to these events. Dogs + horses have always gone hand in hand and everyone going on about a complete ban arejust being ridiculous.

However, saying that, I own 2 collies and I would never, ever take them to any kind of event for the following reasons

They don't like being on the lead

They don't like crowds of people

They don't like lots of other dogs.

and they don't have little jackets

They'd be stressed and manic so if I wanted to go somewhere they would stay at home but I don't see why other well behaved canines who enjoy such days out with their owners should be penalised.
 
This sort of thread makes me PMSL - all these categorical statements that "dogs should not be allowed" or "it is no place for a dog" :D

I have always taken dog(s) when I go eventing (whether watching or competing) and I always will. FFS I know my dog well enough to know when she is not enjoying herself, just like I know when my horse is not enjoying himself :confused:

Totally agree, makes me :D alot too!! This, like many other subjects, is just a case of those people that talk sense and act responsibly and those that just don't do either!!
 
pod said:
I have a Dobie and a Pointer and I cannot fathom why anyone would want to take a dog to an event. I have ranted (at length) about this ALL day - these are the main points:-

1. Everyone goes silent as a horse and rider approach a fence. If the dog barks, tell it off - immediately - and make sure it gets the message, with a boot if necessary.

2. It's a dog, it has a natural coat. It doesnt need a pack-a-mac. Yes it was wet, and chilly. But not THAT frigging chilly.

3. No dog requires a neckerchief. Ever.

4. Extendileads should never be extended in public places. You may think your chihuahua in a patent black mac and spotty necktie thing is the cutest thing you've ever seen - I don't, and I certainly don't want to be entangled in it's poxy 16 miles of chihuahua rope.

5. Dogs should not be allowed into the tradestands. They hate it; if they are not launching at/hiding from other dogs, they are crapping in the stands (yes really) or being stood on/tripped over.

6. If you need a papoose to carry the dog, thus implying it cannot walk, why not just leave it at home with a catflap/doting auntie?

:)
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Brilliant!! :) :) And very, very true.

We had a great day at Badminton yesterday, and my two Jacks were happy at home. I confess to having a Joules coat for both of them - but only because they look cute in them!!!
 
We took our GSD, who part from pulling a bit, was very well behaved all day. He enjoyed walking round the XC, he didn't get excitable and cheer on the riders, in fact he didn't make a sound all day. He sat quietly when we were watching, said hello to a few people and dogs but didn't start any fisticuffs along the way. We cleared up after him, as we always do. He didn't do any shopping, as he doesn't get any pocket money, but he did sit and wait patiently outside while I had a quick look. The only coat he was wearing was his own !. We like to take him out and about with us, which makes for a well socialised, well exercised and happy ( and tired) GSD.
 
I have lost count of how many poor dogs I walked into and trod on in trade stands... really accidentally! I really dont think that they should be allowed around that area... how many people not having the dogs to heel and allowing them on the end of the leads without a care of whome they may trip up. Maybe have areas that they are allowed and others that they are not (ie trade stands and standing close by jumps?)
I really am in the camp that due to the fact that they are often out of site when your walking through a crowded area, they should not be allowed to go, purely because it is difficult enough not to trip over as it is, without being assisted by a poor dog. Take them by all means but not to busy areas..... for the sake of the dog if not for the fellow human
 
foxy1 said:
Why children under 3? never seen a toddler chase after a horse at Badminton ..............
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Because they whine, they whinge, they scream and cry, they get shoved in front of you at fences by their doting parents, their buggies get in the way, they walk too slowly and they generally are a complete pain in the butt for anyone not directly associated with the little darlings! Horrid things - give me a dog any day of the week rather than having someone else's contraception failure shoved in my face all day!
 
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