Gwinnett County Parks

Hi! I’m Robin and for those who don’t know me, I’m the owner of Gwinnett Pet Watchers. When I am not taking care of your pets, you can typically find my own dogs and I at one of Gwinnett County Parks. I’ve had several people ask what park we like best, so I will be covering all the great parks we have in our area to give you an idea what the county has to offer!

Rabbit Hill Park is located at 400 Rabbit Hill Rd, Dacula Ga 30019 and is at the cross roads of Rabbit Hill Rd and Hurricane Shoals Rd . You can also get to the park using Fence Rd.

Rabbit Hill Park has wonderful paths for walking or running. Also, they have a few youth soccer fields, baseball and softball fields, basketball courts, a sand volleyball court, a playground, pavilions, and several restrooms. The park has three different dog parks to suit your needs. One is for all dogs, one for larger dogs, and the last is for the small dogs. Inside the dog park areas there are dog friendly fountains and some agility play activities. It’s a great park for your whole family to enjoy!

My crew loves to walk the trails and play in the dog park here. The people who use the dog park, for the most part, are very responsible owners who pay close attention to their pet(s) and calm things down when the pups get rambunctious. Owners also tend to be very good about picking up after their pets which unfortunately isn’t the case at all dog parks.

Some of you may know that I have a young German Shepherd, Gabby, who loves the dog park! She especially loves Rabbit Hill since she has lots of friends to play with and there is even a group of German Shepherds and their owners that get together there. They even have their own Facebook page called the German Shepherd club of Rabbit Hill. How fun is that?!

Not only is this park close to my dogs and I, it’s definitely one of our favorites! Please let me know if this is helpful and what park you would like us to visit next.
If you are new to the dog park experience I suggest you read a great article from The Bark; Behavior; Dog Park Tips. When you know what to expect it will be a great experience for you and your best friend.

left to right; Lucy, Jake, Gabby, George

left to right; Lucy, Jake, Gabby, George

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The Labradoodle

The Labradoodle became a known crossbreed in 1988, when an Australian breeder by the name of Wally Conron crossed the Labrador and a Standard Poodle in Victoria, Australia for the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia. Conron combined these breeds due to the low-shedding coat of the Poodle and the gentleness and train-ability of the Lab so he could provide guide dogs to those with fur and dander allergies. Since then the Labradoodle has become a popular crossbreed for guide dogs, training purposes, and they make a wonderful family pet.

The Labradoodle is a crossbreed and not a breed, making it so the puppies do not have consistently predictable personalities or characteristics. Because of this, Labradoodles’ hair can be anywhere from wiry to soft, and may be straight, wavy, or curly. Those Labradoodles with straight coats are said to have “hair”, the wavy-coated dogs have “fleece” coats, and finally, the curly-coated pups have a “wool” coats. Labradoodles do shed, but the coat usually sheds less and doesn’t have the dog odor that is commonly found in Labs.

Grooming Labradoodles usually depends on what the owner prefers. Some are kept with short coats, others natural and curly. Although, it is recommended to take your pup to the groomers every 2-3 months for a bath and a trim to keep the coat fluffy and detangled.

Do you have a Labradoodle? What is their personalities like? Let us know!

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Cairn Terriers

Jackpot

The Cairn Terrier is a happy, intelligent, active and fearless dog that is one of the oldest breeds of terriers. The name “cairn” was given to them since their function was to hunt and chase between the cairns of the Scottish Highlands, where they originated and are considered Scotland’s first working dog. The Cairn is a “ratter” and also are usually left-pawed which can be related to high-leveled performances connected to scent. Very active, this breed likes to explore and go on long walks so active owners are always a plus! Grooming is simple, with hand stripping seeming to be the preferred way to remove the old, dead hair (by the root) as opposed to using shears that can ruin the dog’s outer coat. The life span of a Cairn is 12-17 years and they have several significant hereditary diseases that they can get. However, the Cairn Terrier Club of America and the Institute for Genetic Disease Control in Animals have an open registry for Cairns in hopes of reducing diseases within the breed. Fortunately, some breeders voluntarily submit their dogs’ test results for research purpose.

Do you have a Cairn? What’s your favorite feature? Send us their pictures and let us know!

Duff!

Duff!

Basset Hounds

basset

The Basset Hound is a breed that so many people know based on it’s iconic look: long body, long ears, short legs. They are an amazing family animal and are known for being very patient, devoted and affectionate, laid back, and honestly they can be pretty lazy! The Basset is not an active breed but does need regular walks and play time to remain healthy (that’s where Gwinnett Pet Watchers can help!). Fortunately, they don’t require too much grooming besides the regular brushing and occasional bath. The Basset Hound came from France but today in the US it is mainly used as a rabbit hunting dog. Are you interested in owning a Basset or do you have one? Let us know!

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German Shepherd

Gabby - Robin's girl!

     Gabby – Robin’s girl!

The German Shepherd is easily one of the most recognizable dog breeds around and for good reason too! German Shepherds are ranked second as the most popular dog breed by the AKC. They are smart, loyal, courageous, which makes them a great family pet & also working dog, as we frequently see them working hard beside police officers. They are a generally healthy breed but need a lot of activity – needing a lot of mental and physical exercise. They also require regular weekly grooming to help with their thick, double coat – nothing a good pin brush can’t handle!

Do you have a German Shepherd? Send us their pics! We love our dogs!

Husky

Do you have a Husky? They are a lot of fun! The AKC officially recognized them as a breed in 1930 & they are a highly active and energetic. Huskies are a medium sized dog with a loyal, mischievous personality and they are also very friendly and outgoing. They are not an aggressive breed & they’re often used as a working, sled dog. They typically have a thick, double coat that is usually black, copper red, grey, or white A Husky’s eyes are generally a light blue, although they sometimes can be brown, green, blue, yellow, or heterochromatic. They are a great family pet who love the pack feel and being a part of the family but need lots of exercise and training. Walking them off leash tends to be risky – they love to chase after small animals, so a fenced in yard or park to run. They tend to be a lot of work – but the payoff and love they give is definitely worth it!

Do you have a Husky? Send us their pictures!

Dachshunds

Dapple

The Dachshund, or more commonly known as the “Weiner Dog” is long but short-legged dog that was originally bred to find badgers, rabbits, and prairie dogs who is part of the hound group. The name Dachshund means, “badger dog” and currently, the Dachshund is on the top 10 dog breeds in the United States, according to the AKC. Now, they are primarily family dogs, being great with children. They are mostly popular amongst those who live in apartments, ranking in the top 100 for dogs living in major US cities. Do you have a Dachshund? Send us your little ones pictures!

 

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Beagles

Have you thought about getting a Beagle? Do you have one? Beagles are scent hounds that were bred primarily for small game. Because of this, it’s best to keep your Beagle in a fenced in yard because even the most obedient Beagle will take off when they catch a scent! Beagles are passive and forgiving dogs, gentle and playful – a perfect pet for families with children! Beagles are prone to weight gain since they are one of the only breeds to eat themselves to death. But, don’t let the dissuade you! They love to play and exercise and they love to love! They are pack animals, which makes them prone to separation anxiety but never fear! That’s where Gwinnett Pet Watchers come in! We can help their anxiety with daily visits or when you’re out on vacation!

Written by: Samantha Roberts

Chihuahuas

I must admit, when I hear that we have a new chihuahua client, my first question is are they friendly?  Chihuahuas can be little pistols, but they can also be sweetie pies.  They are great companions and are fearless, brave, and extremely lively.  They need a firm owner or they may be strong-willed without proper human leadership.  They can be difficult to house break and some suffer from small dog syndrome.  Because of this, they may not always be the best with children or people that they do not know.  Despite all of these things, they are good little dogs for apartment life. The Chihuahua likes warm weather and dislikes the cold. They need space just like any other dog. Because they are small does not mean they can be kept in a very small area.  Chihuahuas are the oldest breed in America and the smallest breed in the world.  They originated in Mexico. If you are looking for a long lasting breed, they can live up to fifteen years or more.  It may be tempting to carry these little guys around, but they need exercise, just like any other dogs.  Daily walks are great and healthy for them.  That’s where Gwinnett Pet Watchers comes in handy!