Dogs abroad | Mumsnet

ElliesMum16 · 2024-01-09T23:53:01+00:00

This may be a bit random but bear with me! I am considering international teaching in a few years - probably Aisa (Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan ideally). The sticking point is my dog (medium-sized, well trained!). How dog-friendly does accommodation tend to be in Aisa? And are there dog walkers/carers who could break the day up for him? He's middle-aged and not high energy so wouldn't need long off-lead walks etc., but he can be a little dog intolerant with dogs that are bigger than him. Thanks!

AmericanTeenager · 10/01/2024 00:02

Asia tends to be quite relaxed in regards its pet rules and regulations, perfect for the traveling four-footed friend. Some hotels accept dogs including some rather luxurious options in MalaysiaTop Tokyo Dog Walking Prices & Reviews - PetBacker Dog Walking in Japan Insured on PetBacker - Those site should help you

Original poster

ElliesMum16 · 11/01/2024 00:11

How on earth did I manage to misspell Asia twice in my OP?!

Thanks @AmericanTeenager but I'm after personal experiences.

OP posts:

AmericanTeenager · 11/01/2024 16:05

Sorry, @ElliesMum16

Eledamorena · 15/01/2024 06:26

I live in Thailand and have a large dog we brought over from the UK with us. I'm also a teacher!

We did have to shop around for accommodation as some landlords won't allow pets, some buildings don't allow them regardless of the landlord, and some have restrictions on size. But, it is doable and I've now lived in 3 different houses.

Bear in mind that the locations you mention are largely condo living - would your dog be ok with that? Many are, and to be honest mine probably would be now she's an old lady, but I really wanted a house with a garden. This means living further from school but it's fine.

Asia can be very dog-friendly in some regards, e.g. you see them in malls and cafes all the time here! But they are in pushchairs 😂😂😂 Small breeds are very common, medium and larger breeds much less so but some are 'trendy'... Right now in Thailand the usual Pomeranians, pugs, French bulldogs, chihuahuas etc are still very popular but so are beagles, labs/retrievers, and sadly husky-type breeds that really struggle in the weather.

I'm sure there are dog parks in the places you mention, you would just need to research carefully where to go. I imagine SG is very strict on dogs but people must make it work. I'm Bangkok, there are dog walkers and people who host dogs while you travel (there are also traditional kennels but I much prefer leaving mine in someone's home) so I imagine they have similar elsewhere. I rarely have to pay to leave my dog somewhere as I have a nanny, and unless she travels with us she minds the dog while we're on holiday. You will always find helpers to do this.

To stereotype wildly, many locals here are scared of big dogs. I have to tie mine up if I have any workmen come into my house as there is no way they would come in once they'd seen her!!

Nearer the time, once you're looking at specific locations, you can ask in local expat groups for more advice. If you don't have Facebook - get it! Facebook groups are an incredible source of info when relocating.

Best of luck!

BumbleShyBee · 15/01/2024 06:36

We lived in Singapore and had a medium sized dog there. It's pretty dog-friendly with lots of dog parks, pet shops, vets etc. There's even a water park for dogs! They also had a big boom in dog ownership during COVID. Tougher (and more expensive) to find a house with a garden as most people live in apartments / condos. We initially got our puppy in a ground floor flat and having to take her out every 30 mins while toilet training was a massive pain. It will make it harder for you to find rental accommodation but not drastically so. Car ownership is very expensive so transporting your dog can be tricky. Some taxi drivers won't let you bring your dog in the taxi (especially Muslim drivers) but Grab (Uber) has Grab-pet. We ended up leasing a car.

Xiaoxiong · 15/01/2024 06:39

Grew up in HK with dogs, they're everywhere and there is also a sizeable local stray population so people are v used to dogs. Some landlords won't allow pets but that's the same as the UK. The best thing about having a dog in HK is the huge network of trails, beaches and country parks so you can get out walking the hills with your dog easily.

Original poster

ElliesMum16 · 15/01/2024 21:16

Eledamorena · 15/01/2024 06:26

I live in Thailand and have a large dog we brought over from the UK with us. I'm also a teacher!

We did have to shop around for accommodation as some landlords won't allow pets, some buildings don't allow them regardless of the landlord, and some have restrictions on size. But, it is doable and I've now lived in 3 different houses.

Bear in mind that the locations you mention are largely condo living - would your dog be ok with that? Many are, and to be honest mine probably would be now she's an old lady, but I really wanted a house with a garden. This means living further from school but it's fine.

Asia can be very dog-friendly in some regards, e.g. you see them in malls and cafes all the time here! But they are in pushchairs 😂😂😂 Small breeds are very common, medium and larger breeds much less so but some are 'trendy'... Right now in Thailand the usual Pomeranians, pugs, French bulldogs, chihuahuas etc are still very popular but so are beagles, labs/retrievers, and sadly husky-type breeds that really struggle in the weather.

I'm sure there are dog parks in the places you mention, you would just need to research carefully where to go. I imagine SG is very strict on dogs but people must make it work. I'm Bangkok, there are dog walkers and people who host dogs while you travel (there are also traditional kennels but I much prefer leaving mine in someone's home) so I imagine they have similar elsewhere. I rarely have to pay to leave my dog somewhere as I have a nanny, and unless she travels with us she minds the dog while we're on holiday. You will always find helpers to do this.

To stereotype wildly, many locals here are scared of big dogs. I have to tie mine up if I have any workmen come into my house as there is no way they would come in once they'd seen her!!

Nearer the time, once you're looking at specific locations, you can ask in local expat groups for more advice. If you don't have Facebook - get it! Facebook groups are an incredible source of info when relocating.

Best of luck!

This is so helpful!

My dog would be completely fine without a garden, I often have to force him out! He is very low maintenance. But wouldn't fit in a pushchair!

Do you enjoy teaching in Bangkok?

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Original poster

ElliesMum16 · 15/01/2024 21:20

BumbleShyBee · 15/01/2024 06:36

We lived in Singapore and had a medium sized dog there. It's pretty dog-friendly with lots of dog parks, pet shops, vets etc. There's even a water park for dogs! They also had a big boom in dog ownership during COVID. Tougher (and more expensive) to find a house with a garden as most people live in apartments / condos. We initially got our puppy in a ground floor flat and having to take her out every 30 mins while toilet training was a massive pain. It will make it harder for you to find rental accommodation but not drastically so. Car ownership is very expensive so transporting your dog can be tricky. Some taxi drivers won't let you bring your dog in the taxi (especially Muslim drivers) but Grab (Uber) has Grab-pet. We ended up leasing a car.

Thank you! That's all really useful info. My dog would be fine in a place without a garden, he much prefers to be inside. That's really handy to know about the car situation.

Did you enjoy living in Singapore?

OP posts:

Original poster

ElliesMum16 · 15/01/2024 21:22

Xiaoxiong · 15/01/2024 06:39

Grew up in HK with dogs, they're everywhere and there is also a sizeable local stray population so people are v used to dogs. Some landlords won't allow pets but that's the same as the UK. The best thing about having a dog in HK is the huge network of trails, beaches and country parks so you can get out walking the hills with your dog easily.

Thanks! HK would probably be my ideal location so it's great to hear that it's dog-friendly and there's lots to do with dogs there.

OP posts:

Eledamorena · 21/01/2024 13:54

@ElliesMum16 yes, I've loved Thailand! Moving on this year (not sure where yet, still applying!) but life here is easy, and children can have a great life. Air pollution is an issue and the traffic is terrible, but those are my only complaints, really!