Spitz Breed Off Lead Poll Discussions

This is purely an observation and not a "for" or "against" but, on our local golf course, there are husky and malamute owners who all meet up (around 10-15 individual owners) and the majority of them appear to let their dogs off lead from what I've seen.

Plenty of squirrels to chase although they seem most interested in other dogs.

As I said this is merely an obervation as to what some owners of these breeds do in my area, not looking for an argument ;-) but I've put this in the poll as if it were the one owner - hope that's OK.

Wys
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Very good point, AnneUK.

I cannot believe that certain users on this board are condemning other users for the way their dogs are excercised. It's like if you don't agree, slate them in person.

Perhaps they are just envious that their dogs cannot be trusted off lead. ;-)

As i've said, I strongly believe all dogs should be given a chance to run free and mix with other dogs without being restricted. I just don't think it's fair for dogs to be tethered to a lead or harness when getting excercised.

On our walk this morning, there were 7 dogs all running around off lead having a great time. These dogs included an ex racing Greyhound, 2 Beagles, a Keeshond, a Staffie and my two dogs.

I feel sorry for the dogs who are kept on lead/harnessed, whether working or not. Yes, i'm all for Sibes working, but at the same time, they should be allowed some time to run free on a regular basis.

I, for one, would feel terrible if I wasn't able to let my dogs run off lead, with and without other dogs.

Please don't let this turn into another debate on off lead/on lead for all breeds. I think the intention of the thread was clearly stated in the first post - for owners of spitz breeds to vote on how they exercise their own dogs, it wasn't intended to turn into another 70+ page debate on the merits of on lead/off lead exercise

Actually, it has just occured to me that a Keeshond is a type of Spitz, is it not? Doh!

So, therefore, yes, I do believe Spitz type dogs can be trained to be let off lead to mix with other dogs and to have a run around.

Yes I agree...but you are "siding" with AnneUK.. SHE has said that people who don't let sibes off lead are being mentally cruel to their dogs..Do you agree with that??
If AnneUK is happy with her dogs off lead then thats fine.. I have no problem with that..BUT she shoulnd't be condemning others who don't...
I could condemn AnneUK for having a working sled dog but never working it..Have I??

And every time someone agrees her point she is on here saying.."Oh nice to hear someone talking sense" therefore insinuating that the people who keep their dogs on lead aren't talking sense!!!

UMMM missing the point also..
and definately NOT envious...I would rather take my dogs for a walk than let them off lead and stand in the same place..
Its not that they can't be trusted off lead.. its that they can't be trusted not to go with their instinct whenever it kicks in...Therefore most people will keep their dogs safe so the only instinct that can kick in...is the working one when they are in harness..

Apart from off lead exercise in the park, Layla & Milo also do agility every fortnight. Very occasionally we'll run them on a rig but ours prefer to be running free rather than harnessed

I don't currently own a Spitz breed but I did grow up with Sibes. Our huskies were always walked off lead in our local parks and canal walks etc, which provided them with plenty of both physical exercise and mental stimulation.

The Spitz breeds we rehome at The Mayhew, unless in exceptional circumstances, have to be exercised for a minimum of an hour off lead daily.

Out of interest then Lisa, who are your parents? and what breeding were the sibes you grew up with :smt001

PM me if you would rather not say in public

Are you doubting her?

Not in the least Anne :smt001 Before the explosion in Sibes, it was a small and safe world, which Lisa and her family obviously belonged too.

Just interested:smt001

I think you'll find they weren't breeders, knowing Lisa I think she'd be horrified at that thought

I don't think Sarah is implying they were.. just that the sibe world was a small closed community and most owners/breeders were aware of everyone else

Not sure what my parents, or who they are, have to do with this.
All our sibes have been rescues either private or through a rescue, first one was adopted in the mid 70's. As for what breeding they were, they were family pets it's not something we ever cared about or bother to look into ;-)

What is great to see is that out of the 40 people who voted in this poll, not one just does on-lead walks with their spitz breeds :smt023

Thanks for the reply Lisa, I think that tells me everything I need to know :smt002

I think you might like to review your memory or research the breed history better in the UK :smt001

Rigrunner I think it's yourself that needs to do the research ;-) Our first rescue Husky came to us in 1978 :smt001

I can't beleive you just said that

Yes, it is but it is hard to imagine anyone wouldn't let their dog loose when they know they are enclosed, after all for many people that would include their gardens I think the only relevent issue really is the one of free running.