I have 2 very big Ridge Backs

frazzer1973 · Last edited by frazzer1973 on Sat Jan 12, 2008 1:21 am; edited 3 times in total

Hi all,

i am new to the site, and have been reading all your very useful information. I am hoping to plan a 12 month trip all over europe, with my partner and 2 big smelly dogs.

i am hoping for some encouregment really, i am worried about the size of the motor homes and the size of my dogs. Has any body travelled with large dogs?

My dogs are very well behaved, but not newted as they are stud dogs. Some people in the UK frown on the fact that they are not newted. Will i have problems on sites?

We are planing to find some part time work over the summer months, just to keep the money topped up, do you think it is wrong to leave them in the motor home on there own?

Any replies welcome, it will really help me make a decision. Thanks

I am very thankful for all your grate advice, the dogs will not be left on there own while we work full time. As the is no need for us to work full time, it is more the occasional time like going to the super market or a meal ect. I would not be planning on taking them or even going if i was locking them in the van all day every day. I am very experienced with dogs and breeding and would never contemplate doing that.

i was hoping on more advice on the practicality of the size problem with them being so big.

Thanks

tonyt

If you are an animal lover then in my view you made your decision when you bought the dogs.
Lose the dogs or forget the trip.

homerdog

If you leave Ridge Backs alone in a small space in the summer, it's the same as any other dog. Wrong!
They are gorgeous dogs and I don't think being complete would be a prob on the continent any more than anywhere else. I think you can travel with them without fear, but leaving them is a no, no.IMHO H

carolgavin · Quiz Queen

I have one dog an english setter who is quite large. In the confines of the motorhome he sometimes seems larger than he is Sad

I would not leave him alone for any great length of time on his own I would be worried about the build up of heat etc. I definately would not leave him all day. He is not neutered either and this has not caused us any problems on any site we have been on. It is a difficult decision as I would not be happy leaving him at home either were I to go on an extended tour.
Regardless of size of motorhome (with the exception perhaps of an RV) after a small period of time with two large dogs you would be driven nuts stepping over them. Only other alternative is to also have an awning with safari room that they can be tethered in whilst you are onsite and in residence (not whilst you are out). I would think it would be quite uncomfortable for the dogs also no room to stretch and move around freely. Others with more experience and large dogs may have a different opinion, hopefully they will come along and post soon

Oh sorry welcome to motorhomefacts hope you enjoy the site and all it has to offer Very Happy

Steamdrivenandy

We travel with our two beardies and are lucky enough to have a van with a crate fitted in the back where they can be as safe as possible (both for them and us).

However we rarely leave them in the van when we're not there and we certainly don't leave them at all when it's anywhere near warm. I still can't understand why even at dog shows, where by definition the attendees are dog lovers, you still get calls over the PA for people to return to vehicles because a dog is in distress. It really defies belief after so much publicity and threats by organisers etc.

As has been said before I'm afraid it's trip or dogs or trip and dogs but be prepared to limit what and where you can go.

Andy and Breaksea Jumpin' Jack Flash (Jack) and Breaksea Resolution (Rosie).

Shark

I'm not sure what difference it makes whether or not your dogs are neutered, so long as they don't cause a problem towards other dogs (or humans!). As for the room they would have and being left alone, surely that depends on what they're used to at home. I'll be taking a bullmastiff and a bichon frise on our motorhome travels and I expect to leaving them for a time each day. I work from home, where my pair sleep next to each other for hours at a time, and where they prefer to snuggle up in quite a small space. In a motorhome, I would expect to give them plenty of exercise to make up for periods of confinement.

But, with you planning such a long trip, surely it's best to try things out for a short break first?

Shaun

frazzer1973

Thanks - we are planning on a few small trips when we have invested in a motor home. i think the neutered thing is a pet hate of mine, the is a few small minded people that think because they have testicles they are a problem towards other dogs and people, espcially people with little fluffy dogs.

Sharnor

Our 8 dogs travel with us all the time around the UK going to all the different dog shows. Sure - they are not as big as yours, but they do get used to being in a confined space. What I will recommend is that you take them out for a couple of very long, good walks every day! This is most important as they will burn up energy, and will make their lives and yours much happier. We too will be travelling around Europe later this year with all our dogs.

frazzer1973

I have to do that any way, i do the min of 8 miles every day, and at weekends i am one of them mad people at the top of man tor in the peak district in the rain. i am looking forward to some better weather walking.