Owning a Dog in Hong Kong

There are many benefits to bringing a four-footed best friend into your life, but owning a dog in Hong Kong can have its challenges. Here's our guide to starting your life with a dog in the 852.

Meet Rufus, resident belly rub and table scrap expert here at The NickelWorks. We are longtime dog owners and have found the benefits of having a dog far outweigh any inconvenience, especially over this last year. Our good boy has helped keep our spirits up, manage anxiety, and get some exercise, one walk at a time.

Adopt Don't Shop!

“Animal rescue charities literally save the lives of hundreds of dogs each year and enrich the lives of just as many humans.”

That dog in the pet shop is adorable! Do. Not. Do. It. Pet shop dogs come from puppy mills and the evils of those establishments have been well documented. What’s more, that adorable puppy is more likely than not to have any number of health issues as a result of inbreeding and horrific conditions.

So where do you go? We got Rufus from Hong Kong Dog Rescue and had a great experience, but there are a number fabulous local rescue organizations that take in unwanted and abandoned animals. Animal rescue charities literally save the lives of hundreds of dogs each year and enrich the lives of just as many humans. In addition to HKDR, we hear great things about Lifelong Animal Protection (LAP), the SPCA, Catherine’s Puppies, Kirsten’s Zoo, and Sai Kung Stray Friends.

Expect to fill out a questionnaire about the members of your household and your lifestyle. This helps the organization match you with the right dog. Remember, not all dogs are suited to homes with children, others need more space or quiet and might not be happy in a flat in the heart of the city.

Support and Training

One advantage of adopting a dog from a charity is that they are truly invested in your success. For instance, HKDR has professional dog trainers on staff who are more than happy to help adopters when questions or problems arise. If you have an issue, especially in the early days, don’t hesitate to reach out to the rescue organization, they’ll be able to give you advice and point you to the right resources.

So you've been looking at all of the adorable dogs available for adoption on social media and think you're ready to take the plunge and bring one home. While you're picking out the right bed and bowls for your new friend, also consider how you're going to train him. Training your dog is important for both his happiness and your own and the sooner you start, the better.

There are as many schools of thought on dog training as there are on parenting. We recommend positive reinforcement, as do most dog rescues. Hong Kong Dog Rescue and the SPCA both offer training courses to support adopters with dog training. We did HKDR's "Positive Partners" course with Rufus and we all learned so much. Courses do fill up quickly, so do sign up as soon as you can.

If you can't get a spot in a training class straightaway, you can still start training your dog. Dogs Trust out of the UK has a fantastic website with articles and videos on positive reinforcement dog training methods. We found them to be very helpful and an easy way to get everyone in our household on the same page with how to train Rufus.

Another great resource is the Hong Kong Dog Owners group on Facebook. With over 11,000 members, this group is a treasure trove of information and advice about living your best life with a dog in Hong Kong. Want to know about the pros and cons of different food options, dog-friendly restaurants, where to buy pet supplies, or what the best hiking trails are for pups? They've got you covered.

Supplies

Our neighborhood is very dog-friendly with more than a few local pet shops to choose from, but our favorite shop by far is Whiskers N Paws in Ap Lei Chau. Located on the 10th floor of Horizon Plaza, WNP has everything you need. They also have a comprehensive online shop with delivery, and if you spend over a certain amount delivery is free.

The staff in the shop are helpful and very knowledgeable about the products. They are also very committed to local animal welfare charities, and provide spaces where people can meet dogs and cats available for adoption. We first met Rufus at one of Hong Kong Dog Rescue's Puppy Adoption Events, which take place on most Sundays at Whiskers N Paws.

Getting Out

Hong Kong is notoriously unfriendly to dogs, though it has gotten better over the last few years and recently a few more public spaces have begun to allow dogs. Most public parks and beaches do not allow dogs, so when planning an outing be sure to double check that your pup will be welcome.

Also consider your dog's personality when deciding on an outing. For instance, our Rufus is a sweetheart of a dog, but he is quite shy and doesn't like large crowds of people. We made the mistake of taking Rufus to a large event at a dog-friendly park exactly once. He had a terrible time. And so did we!

Parks

So where can you go with your dog? We are regulars at the local dog park. Dog parks are a great place for dogs to socialize with other pups and humans. Spending a little time there each day has really helped Rufus to gain confidence with other dogs and learn that people can be ok. As an added bonus, the dog park is an opportunity to meet other dog owners in your neighborhood. We've made some great friends at ours! Click here for a list of dog-friendly parks in Hong Kong.

Hiking

On the weekends, we like to get everyone out for a hike. Some of Rufus's favorite walks are the Victoria Peak Circle Walk, Parkview to Tai Tam, the Seaview Promenade from Deep Water Bay to Repulse Bay, Aberdeen Country Park Lower Reservoir Loop, and Bowen Road. With two small children in tow, our hikes are on the easy side, but here are some other ideas for hiking with your dog.

Beaches

“Dogs are not allowed on the main beaches, but there are places where our furry friends can go for a swim.”

Dogs are not allowed on gazetted beaches, meaning any beach with a life guard. But there are some places where our furry friends can go for a swim. We like to make an early morning trip out to the back beach at Shek O (aka Rocky Bay Beach). You can usually rent chairs and umbrellas from the folks on the main beach (they'll bring them over to you), and it has the added bonus of being much less crowded.

You can also bring dogs to the back beach in Stanley, but we like to take Rufus to Stanley Ma Hang Park, located at the end of the promenade. After our boys have tired the dog out playing in the sand and splashing in the water, we stop over at Beef and Liberty in Stanley Plaza for a quick bite. The outdoor tables are dog friendly and it's a nice way to end the day.

Getting There

Dogs are not allowed on the MTR, so how to do you get around with your pup? The good news is that you can take your dog in a taxi if the driver will allow it. Even with our big boy, we have found that most taxis are willing to pick us up and take us where we want to go. We've also used Uber, but again, it depends on the driver, so make sure to ask if a dog is ok. Please note that there is a surcharge for pets with both taxis and Ubers.

A Word of Warning

Sadly, Hong Kong has a long history of dog poisonings. In the past, incidents were primarily on Bowen Road and Black's Link. As of this writing, the dog poisoner or poisoners have targeted new areas and there have been victims in both Cyberport and Repulse Bay, as well as suspected incidents in several other areas. Poison is usually combined with meat and hidden in plants. Despite police and community efforts, the culprits are still at large and all dog owners need to be extra vigilant.