WEST LAFAYETTE, IN

Though dogs may be known as man's best friend, chances are these canine companions might make a Landscape Contractor's job more difficult. It is no surprise that dogs can do great damage to turfgrass through digging, but recent research has highlighted the effects that dog urine has on turfgrass.

Dr. Steve Thompson, a veterinarian and director of Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Pet Wellness Clinic, uncovered reasearch done some years ago in Colorado by Dr. A.S. Allard. The research revealed that fescues fared the best in a test of various turfgrasses. "Of the four grasses tested, fescue and fine-blade rye were the most resistant to urine effects," Thompson revealed. In addition, he said that Kentucky bluegrass and fairway crested wheat were very sensitive to any urine concentration and severe burns resulted.