If you are a dog owner installing a new lawn, it is best to find a grass type that is best suited for them, as they are likely the ones who will be using the lawn the most. However, it isn’t necessarily as easy as that, you still have to take into account other important factors that help grass thrive including sunlight and maintenance.
What is the Best Grass for Dogs?
Dogs are generally pretty rough on lawns, so the number one trait a lawn usually needs is to be hardy and self-repairing.
That’s why we find TifTuf Bermuda to be the best grass for dogs. TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda has an excellent wear tolerance and a speedy growth rate. If your dog damages the lawn, it can repair quickly from both it’s above and below-ground runner system.
TifTuf has a beautiful, soft, fine leaf that feels great underfoot and is the first grass in Australia to be Smart Drop Certified for its super drought tolerance.
Although TifTuf Bermuda is great for high traffic areas, like those with dogs, there are a few other factors you should consider when choosing a type of grass for your area, including how much sunlight the area receives and maintenance requirements. You also might find if you have a small dog on a larger grassed area that high wear is not necessarily the most important lawn trait to you and your lifestyle.
What is The Best Grass for Dogs in Shaded Areas?
If your area is shaded through more than 50% of the day, your best option for grass with pets will be Sir Walter DNA Certified. Sir Walter DNA Certified has a great shade tolerance and can thrive in areas with just 4 hours of direct light per day. However, it is important to note, if your area gets plenty of shade and will be getting lots of wear, the lawn will wear down a lot faster than an area that receives full sun. This also means it won’t repair as quickly and therefore traffic will have to be reduced, especially through slower growing seasons like autumn and winter.
If your area only receives partial shade, remember TifTuf Bermuda is still an option if it will get 5-6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
What Is the Best Low-Maintenance Grass with Dogs?
If you are after a low-maintenance lawn, Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo is a great option to consider. It has a moderate growth rate and good wear tolerance, needing only a modest amount of mowing. However, low maintenance also means that it won’t repair as quickly as other varieties, so it’s important to consider your intended traffic before choosing your lawn based on maintenance.
Faster growing and repairing varieties, like TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda and Eureka Kikuyu, will need more frequent mowing but can handle more traffic.
What Grass Should I Choose?
If you have a large dog or active smaller dogs who will frequently be using the area, our recommendation is to look at using a hard-wearing, fast-repairing grass like TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda.
If you have only one dog or a few small dogs that are not quite as active, you will have a few more options to consider. Some good choices include Sir Walter DNA Certified, TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda, and Eureka Kikuyu.
Which Grass is Best with Dog Urine Burns?
If your area does become affected by urine burn, using a grass with a fast-repairing nature will mean your lawn will get back to looking its best sooner. A grass like TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda or Sir Walter DNA Certified are ideal.
For more specific advice on choosing the best grass type for your area, our lawn consultants would love to chat to you.
