Question
Dear Marc:

We have a backyard that takes a beating from our two border collies.  At one time our backyard was  landscaped beautifully.  We are thinking of just putting down gravel through out the entire backyard.

Is this a good solution?

Thank you
Grace

Answer
Good evening, Grace - Sorry to hear about your dilemma.  I, too, have a collie.  Thankfully she is kind to my landscaping.  Gravel will work.  It will also make it easier to scoop up the inevitable doggie offerings.  Can you partition off a dedicated area for a "dog run"?  I have installed many a fenced area just for such containment. If not, then larger plants seem to fair pretty well against dogs (5 gallon minimum), and mulching with gravel can look quite attractive. You can create "dry" creek beds, boulder-scapes, raised beds, and such.  Here are a few images:

http://landscapinghomeguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/gravel-landscape.jpg
http://www.deborahsilver.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/gravel1.jpg
http://www.kshelley.com/library/dscf0665.jpg
http://www.foystrans.co.uk/mediac/400_0/media/DSC_0192.JPG

I would suggest mixing different sizes and/or elevation differences, if you have any grade to work with.  Otherwise it will look like a moonscape more than a backyard.  You don't have to surrender the area to the dogs, but you can create an environment you'll both want to enjoy.

Hope it helps ~M

PS - I was actually surprised there weren't more examples to share from the internet.  Hmmm.