Is it possible to bring my big dog in BKK?

[therealmike]

Hey everyone, I have a big dog, Belgium Malinois.

He's really big, and he's not friendly with other dogs. He's super trained, so I have no problem controlling him on and off leash.

I'm in BKK for the next few years for business, my dog is with my brother right now and I wanted to know if there's a chance to bring him to BKK.

It really seems impossible due the fact that he needs a lot of exercise. He's not a stay at home dog, he needs a lot of running and sprints and space.

What should I do? I'm LOST and don't know what to do anymore, any help would be appreciated.

[meatboy]

sorry mike but please leave him where he is.yes it would break my heart to leave him but i wouldnt never find myself in this situation.

bkk.is not the place for a big dog that needs exercise,in fact thailand in its self is not dog freindly,unless your with them 24/7.

think about the heat.

[Sheryl]

Unless you can live on the outskirts of town, away from busy roads and with a large yard, I'm afraid Meatboy is right.

I have a small dog and occasionally have him with me in Bangkok -- find it very hard to locate places I can walk him even on a leash, let alone let him run about. There are a few places with dog runs for that purpose but few and far between and you have to pay to use them.

[steven100]

Bangkok is not the place for your big dog ....... leave him at the brothers.

There are enough dogs in BKK already.

[therealmike]

Thanks guys, this is really hard. What if I get a big house for like 50-70k which is possible?

[Sheryl]

If you can get a house with a fenced in yard for him to run around in, fine, but note that you will likely need to do that on the outskirts of the city as these are not to be found within it. You might be able to find something near a mass transit line though.

Would help to know where in the city you will be working...

[therealmike]

sukhomvit , near soi 11

[Sheryl]

Well certainly nothing near there. So you'd be looking at a commute, probably to the end of a line and likely need a bis or ride to get to the sky train from there. Not saying it is impossible, but it would take you some time to find a suitable place, and you'd have a longer working day (say around a 45 minute commute each way) as a result.

This realty company has pet friendly listings, take a look http://www.bangkokpropertyservices.com/properties/petsearch

there are other agencies as well and I have no personal experience with this one, so do look around a bit. But my sense is that if you can go up to 70K a month and are willing to accept a commute, it will be possible. You'll need household help to let the dog in and out in the rainy season but then with a whole house you'll need help anyhow.

Key issue to look at with these places is (1) fenced in garden (rules out condos and apartments, even if pet friendly) and (2) proximity to BTS or MRT (sky train/subway) - you really want to be in walking distance if possible.

Being near the end of a line, while it lengthens the ride, makes getting a seat more likely.

Don't even think about driving to work, the area around Suk Soi 11 is way too congested you'd be stuck in traffic forever.

BUT if out that far, will may find a car to be a necessity unless you really luck out. Used cars are expensive here.

Lastly - if you are coming from the EU, read up on the requirements for bringing the dog back as Thailand is not rabies-free and it therefore involves a lot of formalities and oversees blood testing to bring a pet back into the UK/EU. Not an issue if from the US>

Best to start now and work with a real estate agent. Your employer might also be able to suggest one.

[therealmike]

Thanks a lot! Where can I get a park where I can run with him or something, because he needs 1-2 hours a day of sports

[Sheryl]

Most of the parks in Thailand do not allow dogs.

there is a place called Paradise Park out near Buddhamonthon Soi 2 http://www.petparadisepark.com/index.php?lay=show&ac=article&Ntype=2&Id=81200

so maybe narrow your house search to places around there.

There is also a city "Dog Park" recently opened out around Ram Intra area but I'm not sure they are allowed off leash there and from what I have seen in pictures/videos doesn't look that appealing.

Pet paradise is probably better (he can even go swimming there) but frankly working all day with up to 2 hours commute time, it may not be practical to get him to one of there daily. A good sized fenced in yard and household help willing to play with the dog is really be your best recourse and then trips to Pet Paradise or similar on the weekends.

[weka]

Mike

100% suggest you make a decision AFTER you've lived here for a bit. You can always arrange things later if you need to

The hidden worry here is the stress and distraction you'd feel if you brought the dog and things don't work as you'd hoped.

Dog gets stressed because of lack of exercise, you get stressed, neighbours start chipping in and it's just not a good life for your hound

Check it all out first I reckon mate

We're in the suburbs with our 2 Jack russells and can walk them everyday for an hour, but it's never properly stress free. Other dogs and people, the place we walk them could become unavailable. We'd be totally shafted if we lived in Sukhumvit. Edit, sorry you're working there, my bad

There's just no REAL free space anywhere in Bangkok, IMO and so many variables to contend with.

I know it's tough on you and the hound but reality bites (no pun intended). I don't think you'll have the carefree walking, running, ball throwing quality time with your pal that you do now

All the best man - I know how hard this is.

ps great advice from Sheryl as usual and the bringing him back info is imperative. Mine are basically "locked" here due to NZ and Aus quarantine regs and procedures (at least six months quarantine kennel, if at all possible to repatriate)

[slerickson]

In Bangkok! No way.

[therealmike]

Thanks guys... Probably not going to bring the dog. It's too selfish for me to get a dog that gets depressed if he doesn't get tons of excerise to a place like Bangkok, as sad as it is i'll talk to my brother and will wait to see my best friend for another year or two.