Camping for dogs excluding vicious breeds

[Agenias]

So I was checking out a website for camping in Ohio, where I am from and I came across this"
"Dogs are welcome (excluding vicious breeds) - just remember the leash and scoop!"

How on earth can they judge an entire breed? My girl is a mix, 50% Newf and 50% Rottie, and as sweet as can be. Sadie is very tolerant of our kids and our 10 month old baby, on the other hand, my son was bitten by my sister's Shih Tzu when he was about a year old and no one calls Shih Tzus a "vicous" breed!
What would you do? Should I call the campgrounds and ask which breeds are excluded? Or should I just take my dog, she's all black, so I don't think they would know she's part rottie, but she has short fur like a rottie. She's huge though, about 26-27 inches at the shoulder and 100 lbs at 9 months (believe me, I've had her on Large breed Eagle Pack and Canidea, she has just grown alot, I am careful to try and slow her growth).
Sorry, I just can't believe that I may have to board her to go camping, she would love swimming in Lake Erie.
take care,
Rachel

[poohbearsmom]

As long as you're sure that your dog is under your control, and will enhance your camping trip (and the camping trip of those around you), I wouldn't worry about it.

Whenever I make hotel reservations, I always tell them I have a "pet in the room" and am happy to pay any pet deposits, etc.... I don't offer any information they don't ask for, and have never had an issue. My dogs are quiet, never left loose in the room, and very social to people, and by the time anyone notices I have rottweilers, they've befriended the staff.

In your case, you have a "newfie mix", and as far as I know, Newfs are not a targeted breed. (nudge nudge wink wink)

Best of luck.

[hokisteph5]

I just went through a similar situation. I made a reservation at a cabin in May for a trip I was taking at the end of July. When I made the trip, I asked upfront about their pet policy and they were advised I had Rotties. Nothing was ever said during that conversation that they didn't allow certain breeds.

In a weird coincidence, my dad has a campsite at the same place as the cabins. The weekend before July 4th one of his friend's boxers was banned from the campground because it wasn't leashed and pinned another camper's dog to the ground in a supposed bid to play. The boxer was reported as having tried to attack this other dog and my SIL sent me an e-mail that the campground put out a list of rules. One of the rules stated the vicious breeds weren't allowed (e.g. pit bulls, rotties, etc.).

When I requested a list of the rules from the campground I was told to refer to the rules. When questioned on the phone, the owner said people lie about what kind of breed their dog is. I told her it would be a little hard for me to lie since my dogs' vet paperwork refers to them as either a Rottweiler or Rott Mix. If I would've thought quick enough, I would've asked her upfront what breed she had down for my two since she said they ALWAYS ask at the time a reservation is made.

I personally think they were ignoring their insurance restrictions and when the boxer incident happened, their insurance threatened to cancel their policy when they found out they were allowing the "restricted" breeds to be at the campground and in the cabins.

I ended up canceling my reservation for that cabin and was fortunately able to find another cabin that was $5 cheaper/night and instead of paying a $150 pet deposit I only had to pay a $10 fee for both dogs, for the entire three night stay. I've also reported them to the local BBB and Chamber of Commerce since I don't make any travel reservation when my dogs come along unless I know their breed is okay beforehand. It's more of a pain for me, but it gives me peace of mind.

[Agenias]

Hi,
Thanks for your replies! yeah, my girl is a Newf mix, very true. I had e-mailed them before posting on here and someone e-mailed me back and said that pitbulls were the only concern (I stated I had a rottie mix), so I guess it is fine no matter what.

That's so strange that the campground did a 180 and said your dogs were not allowed. I'm sure it's like you said though, they weren't following their insurance policy until they "had" to. I'm glad that you found another place to go, bummer that they won't allow rotties though

Well, take care and I will have to book my trip (except last night Sadie hurt her paw so I'll have to see what the vet has to say, hopefully it's just a sprain!)

Rachel

[jlaack]

If you have to pay for a service (camping spot, etc.) that discriminates against the breed I would recommend: GOING ELSEWHERE. I personally refuse to contribute a dime of my money to any person or organization that discriminates against my rotties, period. Imagine if all Rottie and Pitbull guardians didn't support a particular company? Thats a lot of people and a lot of money. I think that is one reason State Farm will insure these breeds, they realize the bottom line.

[Valentine]

I personally do not have a problem with things like this.
you are not a 100% sure your dog will not get into a fight...some dogs like to fight certain dogs...i know its weird. But I would rather enjoy my dog at home or on a different camping trip than having to worry about someone elses dog coming up to your dog and attacking your dog....which dog will get blamed for the attack?

There was an issue with that at PetSmart daycare. A Pit Bull forum I am on, a member had a problem with this because the rules said no dogs of dog aggressive nature allowed, (they meant ALL breeds) but also they DID define, Pit Bulls, Rotts, Wolf hybrids...But you know what? Its for your own protection! What if someone was stupid enough to let your dog play with a very dominant lab and your dog didn't like it and bit or even fought? Who is going to get the blame?

really, you must think of these things first before jumping into the whole "oh my dog isn't allowed there because of his breed" bandwagon!

I would rather not have a dog attack mine and mine get the blame because remember...they ALWAYS get the blame no matter if the lab jumped on him first!

Although I wish they would lose the whole "vicious breed" BS. You should complain about that, tel them ANY breed of dog can be vicious, its the "individual dog" not an entire breed!

[hokisteph5]

Originally Posted by Valentine

I personally do not have a problem with things like this.
you are not a 100% sure your dog will not get into a fight...some dogs like to fight certain dogs...i know its weird. But I would rather enjoy my dog at home or on a different camping trip than having to worry about someone elses dog coming up to your dog and attacking your dog....which dog will get blamed for the attack?

There was an issue with that at PetSmart daycare. A Pit Bull forum I am on, a member had a problem with this because the rules said no dogs of dog aggressive nature allowed, (they meant ALL breeds) but also they DID define, Pit Bulls, Rotts, Wolf hybrids...But you know what? Its for your own protection! What if someone was stupid enough to let your dog play with a very dominant lab and your dog didn't like it and bit or even fought? Who is going to get the blame?

really, you must think of these things first before jumping into the whole "oh my dog isn't allowed there because of his breed" bandwagon!

I would rather not have a dog attack mine and mine get the blame because remember...they ALWAYS get the blame no matter if the lab jumped on him first!

Although I wish they would lose the whole "vicious breed" BS. You should complain about that, tel them ANY breed of dog can be vicious, its the "individual dog" not an entire breed!

Valentine, I respect what you're saying, but disagree completely. If a place of business wants to say "no dogs allowed" that's one thing, but to say "dogs are allowed, just not the aggressive breeds" is wrong.

You know that those of us who take our dog ownership seriously have spent $$$ on training, know our dogs' weaknesses, keep them on leash while in public, etc.

You say this stuff is for our protection, but I'd like to think I'm smart enough to make those kinds of decisions, not a place of business.

In my case, what really irks me is the enforcement of rules at the campground was caused after a BOXER misbehaved, not a rottweiler or pit bull. The reason I made my reservation in early May for a late July trip was to specifically find a place with cabins that would allow my dogs.

[Agenias]

Hi,
Thanks again for your replies. I do understand about the boycotting thing, I will look into other campsites as well, but I would wager that most have the same rules. I am a vegetarian myself and I always try to shop at places that have vegetarian foods, but in Ohio, there's no way I will ever find a place that is all veg. Sometimes you just have to make do with availablity. So I will go somewhere that allows my dog, although as aforementioned, will attempt to locate a site in the same area that is not prejudiced.

However, Sadie will not be going with us this year, her limp turned out to be a partially torn elbow. If it gets any worse, she will have to have surgery with a specialist. So the vet has given us strict orders to rest for the next 6 weeks. Not fun since she is a 9 month old pup.

Anyhow, thanks very much and take care,
Rachel