Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - I love dogs, but owners are another thing
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Old 08-16-2013, 04:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by travelguy View Post
Has anyone ever thought that it is so unfair to a dog to be cooped up in small yards, with minimal green-space, and be forced to poop/pee on command? Seems to me that larger dogs, used to physical activity, have no place here in the confinement of The Villages.
What kind of life does a larger dog have? Longer fur, heat, hot pavements, no place to run free....doesn't sound like it is a lot of fun.
It really depends on the breed. Some smaller dogs require more exercise than larger ones. For instance, a Jack Russel needs much more exercise than a golden. Some larger breeds require limited exercises. The Newfoundland, for example. Whereas Aussies are herders, and the need to run is in their genes.

When you see people walking their dogs, that is their exercise. Behavorists will tell you that letting a dog run around in a dog park is not as good as a 45-minute walk, from an exercise standpoint. Providing them with both is good, and we have both forms of exercise readily available here.

So I guess I respectfully disagree with you, travelguy. Our dog is thrilled with running free in a park. He's also slap-happy when I get out the leash and harness for our walk.