[Chitown]

What you are looking for is called a Veranda. Veranda’s are Designer Homes with fenced in back yards. They are only available south of 44. There are many to choose from in both Preowned and new. Since there are now about 25 villages south of 44 there is a large selection.

[Lagunalover]

Originally Posted by mrsstats

We are looking to move to the Villages. We have 2 dogs (18 lbs each) They are used to a yard so we are looking at courtyard villas. However, there are other homes (not villas) that we like but not sure if they would be good for us.

We are in our mid 70's and concerned with having to always walk the dogs as we get older.

Thoughts?

We have a courtyard villa and our dogs are in and out all day. No problems whatsoever.

[dpdale]

Originally Posted by mrsstats

We are looking to move to the Villages. We have 2 dogs (18 lbs each) They are used to a yard so we are looking at courtyard villas. However, there are other homes (not villas) that we like but not sure if they would be good for us.

We are in our mid 70's and concerned with having to always walk the dogs as we get older.

Thoughts?

There are several dog parks within golf cart range. We chose a courtyard villa and our dog loves it. It’s nice to just let her out before bed and not have to walk her. Some courtyard villas have a fairly good sized courtyard.

[Ruger2506]

The city people comments in here are awesome, thanks for the laugh. Keep them coming.

We let our dogs out in our unfenced yard unattended for hours. We also don't pick up crap but a few times a week. The only possible worry my wife has (not me) is the dogs swimming in the lake with the gators, but they are pretty good about not going for swims.

I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it. Unless your dog is a runner, you'll be fine.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

Maybe not desirable but perhaps a family member could take one/both when the time comes.

[larrycrilley@gmail.com]

Hi
We are living in our second Courtyard Villa. These properties are wonderful for dogs. We have one dog that’s about 15 pounds and the other is 85 pounds and they both can easily stretch their legs and do their business if they need to. We do walk them and take them for socialization and exercise at a nearby dog park… one of which there are many here in the villages. They both love the golf cart ride to the dog park.
I hope you find a great home and welcome to the neighborhood.
Larry

[frayedends]

An often overlooked option, but expensive, is you can put a birdcage around your yard with a 5' knee wall. Essentially you are fencing it in. It's allowed. Everyone with a pool does that (knee walls of different heights or none at all). But you are talking many thousands to do that.

[Psacc0]

The new Garden Villas are also walled in yards, good for doggies

[idlewild]

We just moved down from the NE and have two dogs ourselves, both larger than yours. We are also younger and don't mind walking them, but we did buy a Veranda home for them to be able to have a yard which they are not used to (we come from an urban environment and previously lived in a condo so we had to walk them 3-4x/daily, in rain and/or snow).

A few things to consider:
-It's hot here and depending upon your dogs fur, color, and tolerance they may not want to be outside much so walks are only really practical in the morning and evenings - anything between 10 AM and 6 PM might be much for them.
-Unfortunately there are few sidewalks here and most of the pavement, including multi-modal (walking) paths are blacktop (i.e. paws will burn).
-Grass type: up North the have the nicer (my opinion) Zosia grass which dogs likely prefer as it's softer and smaller blades. Down south it's pretty much all St. Augustine which are thicker blades and only mowed to 4" so littler dogs might find that grass type a bit...tricky?

My recommendation is to buy a home with a fenced yard, either Courtyard Villa or Veranda, and would strongly preference pre-existing up north not only for the lower up front cost (e.g. paid bond) but also the dog consideration (i.e. Zosia grass, more mature landscaping/shade, etc.). As another poster mentioned, sometimes bird cages will include a grass patch or other area they can use so you don't necessarily need a yard too.

We bought new - and love it - because we're younger and live close to Eastport, but we also needed to sink money into our floors, lanai, etc. and one of our dogs still won't "do his business" in our yard - so we need to walk him - while the other does, but she isn't a fan of the grass (St. Augustine).

I hope that helps. The Villages is very dog friendly, but please note the pavement gets hot here, there are predators/hawks (as someone else mentioned) , and time outside for both walks/yards is typically limited, with a focus on "doing their business" and a bit of sun, unless early morning / late evening hours.

[collie1228]

This is a very good question. I’ll give you my experience. I moved here in 2012 with a five year old beagle who loved the outdoors. My only option, in my view, was a courtyard villa. But I found one with a grass backyard; not concrete. Best decision I ever made. I just had to open the patio door and my dog had access to his backyard. I didn’t have to walk him every time he wanted to go out. I did walk him a lot; but I never had to when he just wanted to pee. I always referred to it as”Bob’s yard”. I’m still here, but old Bob is gone. I now have an adopted dog named “Coco” who enjoys the yard just as well. In my opinion, a courtyard villa is a great option for a dog lover.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by larrycrilley@gmail.com

Hi
We are living in our second Courtyard Villa. These properties are wonderful for dogs. We have one dog that’s about 15 pounds and the other is 85 pounds and they both can easily stretch their legs and do their business if they need to. We do walk them and take them for socialization and exercise at a nearby dog park… one of which there are many here in the villages. They both love the golf cart ride to the dog park.
I hope you find a great home and welcome to the neighborhood.
Larry

Isn't there a rule about no dogs over 60 or 80 lbs? IF NOT then there should !

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Isn't there a rule about no dogs over 60 or 80 lbs? IF NOT then there should !

Because?

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by Ruger2506

The city people comments in here are awesome, thanks for the laugh. Keep them coming.

We let our dogs out in our unfenced yard unattended for hours. We also don't pick up crap but a few times a week. The only possible worry my wife has (not me) is the dogs swimming in the lake with the gators, but they are pretty good about not going for swims.

I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it. Unless your dog is a runner, you'll be fine.

Well which is it? Is it safe to leave small dogs outside unattended? There seems to be completely opposing views on this....

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Isn't there a rule about no dogs over 60 or 80 lbs? IF NOT then there should !

What is your problem with big dogs?
Sounds like it's YOU who has a problem.

Generally speaking, big dogs aren't yappers, and owners pick up their poop (because it's BIG and usually identifiable!).
They aren't skittish like many small dogs and are usually well-behaved.

[BikeRiders]

The Village of Bradford allows fences on some of the homes. We were allowed to add one to our Wisteria model. There is one on Bednarik for sale that you could most likely add a fence to. It is a Mossy Oak. Our realtor Barbara Lightbody was able to find out that we could add the fence and helped us get ARC approval. Its a nice village and we have a beautiful walking path a block away that runs along a fenced preserve.