Do your dogs get walked every day, regardless of the weather ? How do they react to going out in the wet and cold ?

[TheTecknician]

Prompted by about half a dozen dogs, including three Border Collies, I saw at our local country park on New Year's Eve. The weather had suddenly closed in with a stiff wind, dark clouds and heavy rain. I was heading back to the car but these dogs either didn't notice how unpleasant the weather was or just didn't care! They scarpered off ahead off their owners, tails wagging and barging through mud and into ditches.

Years ago, our family had three Cocker spaniels of varying ages. The eldest wasn't at all bothered by rain and snow and would still happily go for walks in lousy conditions. She was more of an outdoorsy dog than the younger two. They, on the other hand, could not be persuaded to go outside even in light rain, especially as they aged. Interestingly, all three spaniels took care to avoid remaining mud and puddles in dry weather and would pointedly walk around them. I can't imagine today's loony springer spaniels or weimaraners being so delicate!

I have two labs, they'll both happily go out for a walk whatever the weather but the older one will refuse to go out for wees before bed if the rain is torrential.

Normal walking routine four our dogs regardless of weather.
We don't mind taking them, they don't mind the weather.
I do, however, very much mind the after walk: never ending drying, mud, dog hair, wet dog towels, our wet coats etc etc. c'est la vie!

Yes same here, patterdale and he hates the rain but is dragged out anyway! We do two shorter walks / runs / outdoor puzzles etc morning and evening and then a good long walk over lunchtime. To be fair he’s not too bad if he doesn’t get it, but he’s much better when he does so we tend to go out regardless of weather.

I have to take mine out for toileting all tear round - in the summer it's 45C here! My dog definitely minds, he does his thing then leaps back into my arms.

My hairy GSDs couldn't care less about rain, wind and snow etc. They will spend all day outdoors and would complain endlessly if they didn't get a walk.

I have two polar opposites. One won't set a foot out of the door if there's even a hint of rain and the other one would gleefully tackle a hurricane 🤷‍♀️

I had a Parson Jack Russell who lived to age 15. There were precisely two days in his entire life that he didn't go out for at least 2 hours, often more. He was a nightmare if he didn't have enough walking.

Another Labrador here, he doesn’t care about the weather at all. And I love him, so we go out everyday. He runs like demon. 😀

My Dalmatian loves going out but hates it when it's wet and windy - stops every 5 yards and shakes dramatically, so I bought her a rain Mac . Which she loathed even more , to the degree she refuses to walk anywhere and stands there with a martyred expression. You'd think I'd put her in a straitjacket. So now we run round as fast as we can trying to beat the weather instead

My rommie rescue is always up for a walk whatever the weather. Snow, rain, wind, nothing phases him. He has a thick double coat that the rain and mud largely slide off and doesn't need a coat or anything.

The only time he has been known to refuse a walk is if he doesn't want to leave food or the prospect of food. He has his priorities straight.

Pic is after a 2hr hike in the Welsh mountains in which stopped being fun around the 1hour mark after we all got soaked to the skin and freezing cold. He was unfussed and would have still gone on longer.

To a point - I wouldn’t go out in a blizzard, dangerous winds, really icy conditions or very hot temperatures but he does get walked in most weathers. Sometimes he’s not so keen but generally he’s up for a walk at the drop of a hat.

We have a working cocker who gets very restless if he's not walked twice a day regardless of the weather. If we miss a walk he steels stuff and shags everything in sight!

My collie is afraid of the wind and rain so it's just quick wee walks for her when the weather is bad!

Actually the weather he struggles with is the heat. The heatwave last summer was awful for him. He still got a long walk very early but then he literally lay down all day panting and feeling sorry for himself and was miserable and lethargic. If it's too hot inside he often likes to go and lie outside in the cold flagstones on the patio even in winter.

Same here! My springer has just returned from a hill walk with DH, soaking wet from a swim and covered in twigs. He's currently having a lovely rub down with a towel.

My chihuahua goes out in all weathers with her coat on. She loves it when it’s muddy and goes splashing in as many muddy puddles as she can. A couple of times she’s had enough of the rain and sat down refusing to move so I’ve had to carry her home……

I take our border terrier come rain or shine when I'm heading into the office for the day - so that mentally, she knows she's been walked.
On a home based day, I let her veto a walk if she doesn't fancy it (she's 10), but I'm always up for it if she is.
I grew up with dogs that never got a walk, so I've gone the other way and have always been a bit overly militant about dogs having to go out, but I've changed my mindset now that our dog is hitting older age.

So it looks like labs give not a shiny shit about the weather 😂.

My GSD doesnt like strong wind, or torrential rain - if it gets too heavy when we're out he'll dig his heels in and pull back home (hes 40+kg of dog, and I don't exactly complain 🤣) but snow and cold he loves! We usually find a break even on a rubbish day for a half hour walk (if its looking dicey for later, or its been raining all day he gets ALL the sniffs and not chivvied on like normal), and if its truly dire outside we do lots of obedience drills and brain games inside to mentally exhaust him! X

Interesting he'll go out in the garden in the torrential rain, and has been known to lay down in the mud, refuse to come in, and want to play ball, but show him his lead and its like you've said no more treats ever 🤣

It's my goldens absolute favourite thing in the world to go out in torrential rain and jump on as many bogs as possible until she is so muddy she could pass for a brown dog. The muddier, wetter, colder the better to her. However, she hates baths and warm clean water. She could have just been swimming in the mucky river during a storm but will avoid the hosepipe and mud daddy like it's torture !
She loves the cold, dark, wind and rain. Would stay out in the snow all day. Doesn't mind the heat and has to be told to settle down when it's too hot. If it's crazy hot we don't walk her but she does complain about that. We are out in any other weather all year long for a good few hours a day.

Our border is afraid of towels and has learnt that happens after the rain so she's reluctant to go out in the garden if it's raining. She's always up for a walk though. Two dogs - get walked twice a day at least rain or shine, and they have full access to the garden as well

My springer loves it when it’s really windy, he gets so excited about it. Also loves the mud and splattering though it….. I’ve just ordered a portable pet jet washer to rinse him off before we head home which I’m hoping will save my sanity slightly with all the washing!

The only time I limit walks is when it’s hot

Open the door. Dog inspects weather. Gives me The Look. You're not seriously expecting me to go out in that? Turns and walks away. Hates rain or having wet feet.

I have a Labrador and he would be out in all weathers if he could! He loves running free and being outside; great for him, not so much for me on his soggy 5am morning field walks 😂 I wouldn’t swap him, or my damp socks, for the world.