Grasses That Tolerate Dogs

A single dog can do a significant amount of damage to grass. Everything from urine to feces and even daily playtime can all contribute to serious wear, tear and damage on a lawn. There are some species of grass available that are better adapted to withstanding the daily stress of a canine companion.

Kentucky bluegrass is a cool season grass, making it ideal for use in northern states. It is more tolerant for damage, as this grass is more able to spread itself and repair damage to itself over time. Kentucky bluegrass can be mixed with tall fescue grasses to aid in reducing the amount of damage that occurs, according to information provided by Lawn Grasses.com.

Much like Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue grass is a deep-rooting grass that is ideal for "high traffic, take-a-beating situations," according to George Weigel of The Patriot News. Weigel does note that, while it is ideal for taking a beating from a canine companion, it does feature wider blades of grass and may not be as attractive as a "show lawn" like ryegrass or Kentucky bluegrass. Varieties of tall fescue grasses recommended by Weigel include cultivars such as Masterpiece, Black Magic, DaVinci, Rembrandt and Taos.

Kikuyugrass is a grass native to Africa and is therefore better adapted to growing in warmer, temperate climates. Originally, kikuyugrass was imported to the United States for use in reducing soil erosion in California. In the 21st century, it is known for being an extremely aggressive grass. Though it may not be the most attractive variety of grass, it features a deep root system, which aids in making it tough and durable in the face of abuse by a canine companion.

Though there are several different species of ryegrass, Italian ryegrass and perennial ryegrass are the two most commonly used species for turf in the United States. Ryegrass can be mixed with seed of other species to be more durable, especially when it comes to repairing any damage that may have occurred over time. Perennial ryegrass is more cold tolerant, though both species can be used successfully in southern states.

Blue lyme grass is not necessarily ideal for use as a lawn, but it can be used well in a garden where dogs may enjoy digging or using the bathroom. This ornamental species of grass is ideal because it is extremely salt-tolerant and, according to Scot Aker of the Washington Post, will also be more tolerant to damage caused by dog urine. Blue lyme grass can tolerate a variety of soils, light conditions and water conditions, making it a hardy, heavy-duty grass.