Dog Activities in Marlborough
By: Christopher Cookson
Last Modified: 8-8-2022 21:09
© Christopher Cookson License this image
History of Dogs in Marlborough
Dogs are a popular companion and working animal throughout New Zealand, and Marlborough is no exception. The first dogs to be introduced to what is now Marlborough were Polynesian kurī, identified by DNA at the Wairau Bar, arriving at the same time as the first humans to settle the region.
A Poultry and Dog Association was established in 1887, with the first show held on the 5th of October 1887. The association made a proposal for sheep dog trials in 1897, and news reports indicate that they were occurring by 1902.
A Marlborough Shepherd’s Dog Association was in existence by 1895, and a Marlborough Collie Dog Association is recorded as holding trials at Meadowbank Station in 1899.
The Marlborough Kennel Club was established in 1907.
Dog registration was required as early as 1877, with a registration fee of ten shillings, and a fine of between one and five pounds for failing to do so.
In 1880, the Dog Registration Act was passed, coming into effect from 1 January 1881, with responsibility for administration falling to a variety of local authorities. Dissatisfaction with the cost of registration, which was initially set at ten shillings throughout New Zealand, let to an amendment to the act in 1881 giving power to local authorities to set a lower registration rate for working dogs.
In Marlborough, this involved in administering dog registration included the Pelorus Road Board, Spring Creek Road Board, Picton Road Board, Omaka Road Board, Wairau Road Board, Havelock Board of Works, Awatere Road Board, Blenheim Borough Council.
Since 1989, dog registration has been administered by the Marlborough District Council.
Marlborough Dog Demographics
As of 2022, Marlborough had 10,902 registered dogs, with approximately 60 percent of those pure bred, with the remainder cross breeds.
With a ratio of just over one dog to five people, dogs play a significant role in the life of Marlborough citizens.
Approximately 15% of the total were represented collectively by Huntaway, Heading, and Border Collies, popular working breeds, which is not entirely unexpected given the rural nature of Marlborough. The most popular small breed of dog was the Jack Russell Terrier, accounting for 3% of Marlborough’s registered dog population.
Marlborough’s Top 10 Dog Breeds in 2022
Huntaway
Labrador retriever
Heading dog
Border collie
Jack Russell terrier
Fox terrier
Smooth collie
Staffordshire bull terrier
Miniature snauzer
Golden retriever
Dog Clubs in Marlborough
Marlborough has two dog clubs; Marlborough Kennel Association for registered breeds, and the Blenheim Canine Training Club which is open to all dogs including crossbreeds with a focus on obedience and agility.
Sheep dog trials are held throughout the region for working dogs.
An informal dog meetup group organised through Facebook meets on Saturday Afternoons at Sheps Park in Blenheim.
Dog Exercise Areas in Marlborough
Marlborough has a number of dog exercise areas throughout the region, both on council administered land, and Department of Conservation land.
Marlborough District Council Dog Exercise Areas
Off Leash Areas
Auckland Street Reserve, Picton
Blairich Reserve, Awatere Valley
Flemings Road Esplanade Reserve, Awatere
Harling Park, Blenheim (except Japanese garden)
Lions Reserve, Fairhall
Memorial Park, Picton
Renwick Dog Park
Sheps Park, Blenheim
Simonsen Reserve, Riverlands
Sutherland Stream Reserve, Blenheim
Taylor River Reserve, Blenheim (except for section from Henry Street to Sinclair Street which is on-leash only)
Tirimoana Reserve, Anakiwa
Tirohanga Track, Picton
Essons Valley Tracks, Picton (but prohibited off the tracks)
Wairau River from confluence with Waihopai River to confluence with the Ōpaoa
Waitohi Domain, Picton
On Leash Areas
Alfred Stream Reserve, Rai Valley
Blenheim CBD
Brown River Reserve, Rai Valley
Double Bay Reserve
Havelock Quay Picnic Area
Kotuku Trail,Riverlands
Marlborough Equestrian Park, Spring Creek
Mills Street Reserve, Seddon
Moetapu Bay Reserve
Picton CBD
Pollard Park, Blenheim (except Baden Powell Corner, playground,toilets and barbeque areas)
Taylor Dam, Blenheim
Ward Beach
Ward Domain
Wairau Valley Golf Course
Wairau Valley Loop Track
Wairau Recreation Ground, Wairau Valley
Waterlea Racecourse, Blenheim
Department of Conservation Dog permitted areas (with valid permit)
On conservation land where dogs are permitted a permit is required, which can be obtained by calling DOC. Note that dogs are not allowed in DOC huts or lodges.
Archer Track, Tennyson Inlet
Aussie Bay Campsite
Butchers Flat Campsite
D’Urville Island (DOC land only)
Ferny Gair Conservation Area (Dog access only from Black Birch Stream, and must be on a leash while crossing private land to enter reserve.)
Kaikōura Coast DOC reserves
Keneperu Head Campsite
Leatham Conservation Area
Moawhitu Campsite
Moetapu Bay Campsite
Mount Richmond Forest Park
Mount Stokes Track
Nikau Cove Campsite
Pelorus Track
Picnic Bay Campsite
Rarangi Beach
Queen Charlotte Track from Anakiwa to Umungata/Davies Bay.
Robin Hood Bay Campsite
Whatamango Bay Campsite
Private Dog Friendly locations in Marlborough
Note: This is an incomplete list. If you are a private establishment, or know of one that is dog friendly, please feel free to contact Marlborough Online, or register and add a comment below this article.
Smiths Farm Holiday Park, Linkwater
Ritual Cafe, Blenheim
Web Links
Cite this page
Cookson, C. (2022). Dog Activities in Marlborough. Retrieved December, 5, 2023, from https://www.marlboroughonline.co.nz/marlborough/information/recreation/dog-activities-in-marlborough/
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