Suzhou Expat - The expatriate portal in China

Hi Everyone,
I might have to move to Suzhou next year from the USA. I want to bring my German Shepherd dog with me. On the Shanghai Expat site I have been reading lots of horror stories about compound dog sweeps and I would like to know how it is to live in Suzhou and to have a big dog. Please, Please, Please, any info is welcome about owning a dog in Suzhou.
Thanks,

Looks like your not getting many replies on this one ................but as a dog owning resident of Suzhou (my dog is still in the UK) I have not seen many, if any, ex pats with big dogs.

You are well advised to take the advise from Shanghia expat as the knowledge base there is very well informed, thats if you dont get any direct responses fron Suzhou dog owners!

Come on Suzhou expats.....whats the story in Suzhou, I'd love to get our 2 Weimaraners out here but there are no "real life" experiences stories going around

Hello,

I have a 7 month siberian husky which I bought here in Suzhou.
He's a big boy and getting bigger.

I find walking him a bit of a nightmare, most people run in fear (which does make walking down the street much easier ) most public places won't allow him in. I've had many a heated argument with the guards at the parks, as he is not allowed in ANY parks in suzhou! Which is nuts!! Where do they expect you to walk a dog?!

We've explored most back alleys in the cities and have found a few very nice circuits, usually mirroring the old canal.

Plus side is a dog licence 45kuai (if you can be bothered-as no policeman cares enough to enforce it!), no problems with the authorities of owning him here, however I purchased him the city and have not tried moving him out or around yet.

I don't know what to tell you mate, he's a big dog, not had a real problems apart really struggling to find places to walk him, and there's not a chance in hell of finding an open space to let him off the lead in the city centre, maybe SIP has somewhere hidden or the new district, but I don't know those areas.

If you have any more questions you can email me christoph.lawrence@googlemail.com

Hope that helped.

Chris.

I was curious about the same thing. I will be moving here in January from CA and will be giving my dog away next week. I've heard that I could bring her here, but would have problems bringing her back home.

JHarrison,
If the reason you are giving your dog away is that you are afraid you can't bring him back, please take a look at following website: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal/dogs.htm
It should not be a problem. Let me know what you will be doing, and how you experience living in Suzhou. I might have to move to Suzhou late next year.

Hi there, my husband and I have a 1 year old golden retriever. We live in Suzhou SIP.

There is quite a lot big dogs in our community. Mostly are golden retriever, husky. I want to say I haven't have a problem to walk my dog in the park in SIP. I often see people walk their dog in the park or on the street.

sometime when I walk my dog I see people run away from us(mostly are Chinese). I just tell them do be scared, my dog doesn't bite. So I don't think there is a problem you walk your dog here.

There also have some good pet shops in Suzhou, you can buy imported food and treats for your dog. By the way, if you decide to bring your dog to China, I think it's better to go to local police station to register your dog. If you have more question welcome to contact me.

Hope that helped