How dog-friendly is the UK?

We're relocating to London and are planning on bringing our trusty rottweiler mix over a few months after we come. Our company is tasking an agent to help us find a rental property in Windsor or Ealing, and when we said we would have a dog, she sort of laughed and said, "Just to warn you, housing will be much harder to find if you have pets." She also cautioned that the deposit would be drastically more.

How true is this? It could certainly be said that it's "harder" to find rental housing with pets in the US, but it's definitely do-able. So how about the UK? Will we be paying drastically more money or living in a dismal place in order to accommodate our pup?

Also, is the UK in general pretty pet friendly? Like are there off-leash dog parks or anything?

Thanks!

It is very hard to find rental housing that allows dogs. Cats are usually pretty easy, but most estate agents won't even bother with you if you tell them you have a dog.

We haven't had to pay more, but we are helped by the fact that our dog is a little old lady (a 13 year old Pomeranian).

As for how pet-friendly it is here, it varies by location. None of the parks here are officially 'dog parks', but I've seen lots of people with dogs off leash at all of them. There is a partial ban on dogs being on the beach, but that's a whole other issue.

I've found that businesses tend to be fairly pet friendly here. I regularly take Poppy to the pub with me, and lots of others bring their dogs in, too.

Like Jen, a lot of parks by my home have dogs off leash.

I've found the UK to be very pet friendly.

I just wish that people would be a bit better about picking up their dog's poop!

I always thought that there aren't any leash laws in the UK. Is that true?

I always thought that there aren't any leash laws in the UK. Is that true?

Some dogs must be leashed and muzzled in the UK, but not rotties.

No leash laws?? That's AMAZING.

We currently live in Seattle and they are Nazi-like about leash laws here.

Obviously, you would just need to be smart about it. I certainly wouldn't let our rottweiler loose in an area with children or a crowded park, even though she's pretty much less of a threat than a sedated bunny.

Finding a rental with a dog is difficult.  My husband and I went to estate agents and when they first looked at us, 40s, professional, no kids, they were so enthusiatic about finding us a place.  Then I mentioned I had a dog, and they looked at us like I had just said "oh, make sure the garden is really big because we need a place to bury the bodies."  It was frustrating, but eventually we found a nice place, in a nice area, and about a 2 minute walk to a nice off leash dog park.

Once you find the house, I think you will find the UK very dog friendly.  I think it is much more friendly than Los Angeles, where we lived before here.

There must be 5 parks, all within 15 minutes walk that allow dogs off leash near us.  But as other posters have mentioned, some people need to be a little more vigilant about cleaning up after their dogs.

IT wasn't terribly hard for us. WE looked at a few we didnt like and then a few that said "Pets acceptable" but when we saw the place and talked about renting it, we told them that we had a dog and they said no. No question in there mind no matter how well behaved  or how small, no deposit no nothing.

So we just began our search asking about a dog then we would get yes or no and not waste our time looking at the place or scheduling anything.

Although there is no nation-wide "leash law", local councils have the right to make Dog Control Orders which cover such matters as fouling of pavements (sidewalks), requirements for leads, etc.

From the DEFRA advisory leaflet for dog owners:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localenv/dogs/owner.htm

Primary and secondary authorities (local authorities and, principally, parish councils) can make Dog Control Orders in relation to 5 dog control matters, including dog fouling, dog ban areas, dogs on leads, putting and keeping a dog on lead under supervision and multiple dog walking restrictions.

The maximum fine upon conviction for a Dog Control Order offence is £1000, and Fixed Penalty Notices may also be issued.

The main countryside rule is - DOGS MUST NEVER WORRY LIVESTOCK. Even letting your dog walk in the same field as farm animals may be considered as "worrying". Remember the farmer is entitled to kill your dog if it is worrying livestock.

You must never allow your dog to be dangerously out of control-he must not injure anyone or frighten anyone into thinking that they might be injured, it is an offence to let your dog behave in this way.

So in many situations a lead may be the prudent choice.

I think the UK is very dog friendly. Great dog walking!!! However, we have found the dog and cat minders are much more expensive than what we paid in the US. The dog is £30/day with a 5 day minimum (10 days in high season) and the cat is £15 for 30 minutes of "bonding." Our pets are old and need attention + meds, so we engage the pet minders and have been very happy with them

As for finding a rental, when we came looking for a place we prepared "CV's" for our cat and dog to present to potential landlords. We included, pictures, age, obedience training classes (for the lab) and notes from our vet regards their temperaments. Our landlord thought it was a "hoot," but he chose us over 4 other couples with children.

Just our experience.