Best places to live in Phuket with a dog?

[Kerry B]

Hi all,

 

I am thinking of making a move to Phuket from the UK in the new year. Would be great to get to know some of you and get advice on where best to settle with a dog.

 

Looking forward to hearing from you :)

 

Kerry

[LivinginKata]

Thai Bungalow with a garden. Look about Chalong and Rawai areas.

[Kerry B]

9 minutes ago, LivinginKata said:

Thai Bungalow with a garden. Look about Chalong and Rawai areas.

Thank-you ????

 

[MrJ2U]

You'd probably need a house with a yard.

 

Plenty of those around for rent.

 

High end condos and houses in good repair most likely won't except dogs or animals in general.

 

 

[Boyn]

I will be interested to hear how you get on shipping the dog over as i am retiring next year and moving to LOS with my dog

[Adumbration]

No one has noticed the elephant in the room yet...

 

What breed of dog?

Edited December 2, 2021 by Adumbration

[KhunLA]

Having a dog, fuzzy Jack Russel, I've noticed Thailand is not pet friendly.   As with anywhere worldwide, simply find a rental that is pet friendly, with a yard preferably.  Simple enough, and anywhere on the island is good.  UP2U where you want to be.  The dog won't mind your choice...hopefully.

[farang51]

17 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Having a dog, fuzzy Jack Russel, I've noticed Thailand is not pet friendly. 

My building is. It is a small building with only 18 apartments. Several tenants have dogs, and at least one has a cat - and one has a pig.

[Kerry B]

3 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Having a dog, fuzzy Jack Russel, I've noticed Thailand is not pet friendly.   As with anywhere worldwide, simply find a rental that is pet friendly, with a yard preferably.  Simple enough, and anywhere on the island is good.  UP2U where you want to be.  The dog won't mind your choice...hopefully.

True, I just want to make sure theres some good places to walk him (when not hot) I have a JR too ????

[Kerry B]

Would be interested to know where you're all based and where you're from?

[zzzzz]

plenty of expats own dogs in Kamala, but u need a yard>
see them walking the dogs along the beach everyday

[farang51]

8 hours ago, Kerry B said:

Would be interested to know where you're all based and where you're from?

I'm in the outskirts of Phuket Town. Perhaps you should decide what you want for yourself? A beach? Green areas? Near shopping etc.? And then try to find something suitable for a dog in such an area.

[KhunLA]

I'm not on Phuket, and located in Prachuap Khiri Khan province (not Hua Hin).  I say not pet friendly, as maybe 1 in 10 allowed pets when looking for a rental.

 

Hotels are even worse, with most, pets not allowed, or pocket book pets.  When out & about, I can be a challenge finding accommodations.  Some that do take pets, charge a pet fee alone, that is more than other hotel fees ????

 

National parks usually ban pets, though not strictly enforces many times.  Depending on the park.

 

Warning for the obvious, NEVER LEAVE A PET IN A VEHICLE.  They heat up so fast here, a mere 15 minutes, and your car's interior can hit 60C easily.

 

Just look around town, and you shouldn't have any real problem finding pet friendly rental.

 

Ibis hotels are pet friendly, though only up to 10 kgs, and no pet charge.  Usually not the best value or location, small rooms, but damn comfy beds.  Good fall back hotel if  not able to find anything else.

Edited December 3, 2021 by KhunLA

[KhunLA]

9 hours ago, Kerry B said:

True, I just want to make sure theres some good places to walk him (when not hot) I have a JR too ????

Not sure about Phuket, urban areas, but when out & about, first thing I look for, green areas for the dog, and in metro areas, there is usually little to none to be found.  Why emphasis on a rental with a yard.  And most parks don't allow pets....just soi dogs ... ????

[TropicalGuy]

Obviously nowhere Urban. House with Back Garden near Hill or Beach Walks. Kata or Karon Hills Ideal. 

[Tropposurfer]

On 12/3/2021 at 3:46 AM, farang51 said:

My building is. It is a small building with only 18 apartments. Several tenants have dogs, and at least one has a cat - and one has a pig.

A Pig! ... That's a fine way to refer to ones spouse ????????????

[KarenBravo]

30 minutes ago, Tropposurfer said:

A Pig! ... That's a fine way to refer to ones spouse ????????????

Truth can be stranger than fiction.

 

Many years ago, this was reported in the Phuket Gazette.

In Kamala, the neighbours noticed that every evening they could hear a dog screaming.

It came from a villa with a German resident.

Apparently, this gentleman actually did make his poor dog his wife who he had a carnal relationship with.

[Tropposurfer]

House with fenced yard for any reasonably sized beastie.

Where on the island depends on a few factors; Does your dog like the ocean, is it big or small, brave or timid, aggressive breed of no, what are your lifestyle preferences e.g. middle of Phuket Town, Patong, beach, or quiet green space?

There are tonnes houses/villas of every size and description all over the island. I prefer the west coast Surin and north of there myself.

I think right off the bat its important to ask about what sort of lifestyle you can afford i.e. if you have plenty of money then a safe home and walled garden can be easily found. If you're a low income person then being able to provide an optimal home location, and size of yard etc will be affected and somewhat restricted. 

I know of folks with small dogs e.g French poodles, French bulldogs etc in large condo's and these are happy as can be, no problems with landlords or their neighbours. The kids in the building and surrounding homes just love them all to bits and they play happily all the time from what I hear and see ... Mind you these are well trained balanced and well socialised dogs.

Don't bring a dog here if you can't afford good pet insurance (its absolutely essential), and have the capacity and will to exercise it adequately and in a safe way. By this I mean you may find with this new environment that you have to lock the beastie up instead of your usual walkies and play activities for fear of the outside so as to keep it safe and healthy ... this can lead to problems. 

Sadly except in some few cases you gotta keep your animal away from most Thai dogs (well loved, vet cared-for neighbours dogs are the exception). There's a heck of a lot of unhealthy dogs here.

Must pick a place where exercising the beastie/s every day is safe for them e.g. soi dogs wanting to kill, as snake-safe as possible - yes there are tonnes of snakes here, or neighbours who don't like dogs. 

Also if your baby is prone to annoying things like barking (more than the odd bark here and there) or aggression I would not bring it. Cause if there are Thai's with a penchant for disliking falang's things may go south rapidly. 

Be warned rabies is rife here, not in my country of origin at all ... but here ... You're from Europe so you know about rabies.

I really checked out the health and social realities before bringing them here. I bought my male Dal from Oz about 6 months after I retired here and about halfway through my new build, and as the house was nearly finished I bought a female Dal from a breeder in Malaysia so Apollo had another dogs to talk, play, and sleep with.

I wouldn't call myself too anally-retentive about my pooches but I do take good care of them and keep them apart from stray, and unknown animals. Always on the lead except on playdates on the beach and our green space venues.

I did this research by talking with long term falang dog owners as you are doing.

I knew I would be buying a place, and in an area with plenty of quiet and room for them in a way I could design and control so this wasn't such an issue for me as some folks have. My neighbours (hi-so Thai's) are seldom there as its a holiday home for them so easy peazy - they love Apollo and Jupiter and 'borrow' them a lot when they are here lol.

I socialise my dogs with a few, now great dog-mates, and go to play-dates with them as we did in Oz. We all help look after each others pooches when on away-trips too which makes for happy dogs i.e. no need for stranger kennels.

Good luck with your move ????????

Edited December 4, 2021 by Tropposurfer

[Tropposurfer]

15 minutes ago, KarenBravo said:

Truth can be stranger than fiction.

 

Many years ago, this was reported in the Phuket Gazette.

In Kamala, the neighbours noticed that every evening they could hear a dog screaming.

It came from a villa with a German resident.

Apparently, this gentleman actually did make his poor dog his wife who he had a carnal relationship with.

A whole new dimension to loving your pet!!! EEEEUUUWWWWW! ????????????????????

[patongphil]

18 hours ago, KarenBravo said:

Truth can be stranger than fiction.

 

Many years ago, this was reported in the Phuket Gazette.

In Kamala, the neighbours noticed that every evening they could hear a dog screaming.

It came from a villa with a German resident.

Apparently, this gentleman actually did make his poor dog his wife who he had a carnal relationship with.

And the rest of us came here for the beaches and temples.????

[1FinickyOne]

My dog used to love to run up and down the beach... buy a house with lots of ocean front footage [at least half a mile] so the dog can run freely and not bother anyone and poop wherever he wants... make sure your home has maid's quarters so you will have someone to prepare wonderful dog meals for him and clean up the sand that he drags into the house and she can bathe him once a day too... 

 

that should do it. 

[eezergood]

On 12/3/2021 at 7:34 AM, zzzzz said:

plenty of expats own dogs in Kamala, but u need a yard>
see them walking the dogs along the beach everyday

would avoid Kamala/Surin due to the religious beliefs, Ive had 3 mates with dogs that have been poisoned in these areas  

[eezergood]

On 12/3/2021 at 12:35 PM, KhunLA said:

Not sure about Phuket, urban areas, but when out & about, first thing I look for, green areas for the dog, and in metro areas, there is usually little to none to be found.  Why emphasis on a rental with a yard.  And most parks don't allow pets....just soi dogs ... ????

Nonsense - even most small cafes/restaurants allow dogs now 

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, eezergood said:

Nonsense - even most small cafes/restaurants allow dogs now 

I wouldn't take my dog to small cafes/restaurants to do her business.  Or even with me to have meal, as a pet peeve of mine.  If I see dogs or cats in a restaurant, I want go in.

[London Lowf]

On 12/5/2021 at 4:37 PM, 1FinickyOne said:

and poop wherever he wants

There's a local guy who walks a pack of five dogs of wildly varied breeds and sizes in the Layan National Park. They are all on leads, which takes a bit of management, but I note that he always picks up after them and has quite a full bag by the time I see him. Good on him for that!

 

Edited December 9, 2021 by London Lowf
It's a pack of dogs - not a herd!

[London Lowf]

8 hours ago, eezergood said:

would avoid Kamala/Surin due to the religious beliefs, Ive had 3 mates with dogs that have been poisoned in these areas  

You think the dogs were poisoned "due to religious beliefs"?

 

My Kamala next door neighbour, an expat retiree, has a toy breed that is surviving perfectly well.

 

As is the larger dog belonging to the Thai family opposite - although I do have to shoo it away when it tries to defecate on my front drive.

Edited December 9, 2021 by London Lowf

[London Lowf]

As others have indicated, it's not so much the town as the property you find within it. My current squeeze has a tiny end of terrace "Thai house" at the very end of a little soi in Kathu surrounded by open land - perfect for the dog to go for a quick wander when the need arises.

Edited December 9, 2021 by London Lowf

[1FinickyOne]

2 hours ago, London Lowf said:

There's a local guy who walks a pack of five dogs of wildly varied breeds and sizes in the Layan National Park. They are all on leads, which takes a bit of management, but I note that he always picks up after them and has quite a full bag by the time I see him. Good on him for that!

 

Yes, you kind of took me out of context, the full context being that it was on your own land... but yes, good for anyone who does the heavy lifting and does not spit their gum on the sidewalk... 

[KarenBravo]

On 12/9/2021 at 6:56 PM, London Lowf said:

You think the dogs were poisoned "due to religious beliefs"?

 

My Kamala next door neighbour, an expat retiree, has a toy breed that is surviving perfectly well.

 

As is the larger dog belonging to the Thai family opposite - although I do have to shoo it away when it tries to defecate on my front drive.

Yes, Kamala was the hot-spot for dog poisoning for a number of years due to Muslim's belief that dogs are a "dirty" animal. Haven't heard of any poisonings for a few years now. Maybe their attitude has changed?

[London Lowf]

 

7 minutes ago, KarenBravo said:

Yes, Kamala was the hot-spot for dog poisoning for a number of years due to Muslim's belief that dogs are a "dirty" animal. Haven't heard of any poisonings for a few years now. Maybe their attitude has changed?

I stand corrected!