Hello from NE Ohio! I just had a 1/2 acre pond dug primarily for my dogs to do some dock diving I have three male labs that love to swim. They just finished up the final grade yesterday so my biggest issue now is what type of dock to go with. I think I would rather go with a fixed permanent dock. I would also need to find someone to install it. I plan on stocking it with fish once it fills...the kids next-door are already excited.

Welcome to the forum!!

An easy way to determine if a fixed dock or floating dock is needed is if the water level in the pond fluctuates more than a foot or so.

Fixed dock, if the water drops 24" then your dogs have another 24" to fall before hitting the water. If a dock moving a bit under their feet bothers them then it may have to be a fixed dock.

Right now there is about two feet of water in the basin. Of course I'm hoping it fills this year but who knows. In my mind I'm thinking a straight even surface would be the best way for them to get some speed even if part of that is over the shore. I guess at this point I don't understand all the different options. I was looking at the Tommy Docks and I wonder how it remains sturdy if it's just sitting on a sloped edge....plus those have to be removed over winter and honestly I don't want to have to take it out.

They don't have to be removed for the winter. Only on large lakes where the ice moves and bends/breaks things do they have to be removed, and usually that is only on the North and East side of the lakes here in Northern Indiana.

I have a floating pier on my 1 acre pond and it stays there all year long, open water or ice.

You can always add a floating dock to a fixed dock. I have one German Shepherd that dives off the dock, and one which needs no dock to dive.



My wife is the dog lady...

At first I felt a bit queasy walking around my floating dock, but quickly got used to it.

I added the railing to the gangway after my daughter and father-in-law fell off of it. My son used to fly fish standing in a kayak, so it was no issue for him. My father-in-law had equilibrium issues later in his life, and my daughter just didn't pay attention. No one got hurt, but better safe than sorry. Lots of fond memories on the dock!

Nice looking pack you have! The picture of the muddy dog makes me smile. Along with the pond I am having a dog wash station put in my utility room. Gotta love a dirty dog!

Thats good to know! Thank you for the clarification. Will have to take another look at them.

I put a floating dock on our pond. Daughter's doberman flies down the ramp, across the dock, and bombs into the water at 20mph.
Low to the water is nice for the human swimmers getting in and out too.