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've got 2 Lhasa Apso. 1 loves walking and will go out in all weathers. The other, her sister from the same litter, doesn't like going out unless it is sunny. I make her go out but she tries to pull back towards the house.

Mine insist on going out. They don’t care if it’s throwing it down with rain. The only issue is the sheer filth of 3 dogs when I get home, although we have a Muddaddy which helps, they might get cleaned up before we get back in the car or I hose them then shove them in drying bags for an hour or so.

My elderly Rhodesian Ridgeback will not go out for a walk if she even thinks it might rain. As a breed they are well known for thinking that rain is made of acid and will kill then and their bladders will quadruple in size to avoid having to pee in the rain. If she gets caught in the rain whilst out she will stop and pull me towards home whilst trying to hope under my legs or wipe her face on me. Now she just gets to the end of the street sits down and refuses to budge if she thinks it’s going to rain!

As she’s an old lady with arthritis now she gets to decide if she fancies a walk 😃 on a move day she’ll have a half an hour potter alone maybe even a 5 minute zoomie. Rainy day is a pee close to the house and back in with a face of disgust. She loves swimming funnily enough.

If we force our pointer out in heavy rain he’ll just hide under a bush. Snow, wind, drizzle he doesn’t notice

Border collies must be walked/have a run twice a day however will cross legs rather than go out for toilet if no walk is involved.

Our border collie goes out twice a day. The only exception is extreme weather conditions ie torrential rain or a temperature above 30 (especially when the pavement is hot. She's too manic without enough exercise.

I do take my dog out whatever the weather (possibly not if we had a really bad snow storm) but it's a brief 15 minute walk round the block when it's windy and raining . Dog hates it more than I do but I think he would get on edge if cooped up indoors the whole day .

4 Pugs and an English Bulldog all hate wet weather will run (or waddle) into the back garden do what needs to be done then glare at me as if the rain is all my fault - I am dreading snow

Collie cross here - doesn't give a shit about any kind of weather and I try to get her out twice a day but if I can't it'll be a good half hour run around/ off lead walk before bed so she sleeps well!

Oh that's a bit unfair.

My boy was rescued from the streets of Croatia. He was a street dog.

Now he's um a fair weather dog, no longer eats dead toads or berries, quite like quality food, water proof jackets, hates bad weather but always loves a walk, hates being on a lead (street dog) so must be escorted in his limo (Toyota Aygo, metallic pink) to private land to be free, pretend to chase hares etc. then heater on full if he's got wet. Once home, if car still warm, refuses to leave. Multiple checks. Once car temperature lower than house, he returns.

@TiddyTidTwo Yes, my Pom was also rescued from the the streets. I suspect that he now dislikes bad weather because he’s spent plenty of cold wet days/nights outside. 🙁 I’m happy to spoil him now.

Same here!

Laughing at the idea of working dogs being tough weather-agnostic dogs.

Then looks down at the springer who won't even dash into the garden for a pee if it's raining.

It can be too hot or too wet for him. It can never be too cold. The colder it gets, the happier he is to walk.

Wankspeak 🙄

As the week goes on, the rotten wet weather should finally give way to drier conditions as anticyclones move in from the east and southwest. So, it's walkies time and no excuses (apart from age and illness) for all you fair weather pooches!

13 year old Staffy won't go out for a wee in the garden if it's raining, but is up for a walk if lead is taken out.

Weather last few days here has been to much for her though, gets to garden gate and turns around.

Besides weather issues and muddy puddles, there are some dogs with a disgraceful tendency to roll around in any kind of excreta in the animal kingdom. Cow pats and horseshit are bad enough; be thankful we don't have wild elephants in the UK!

@TheTecknician I gave my dog a bath before Christmas to freshen him up and he went out and rolled in fox poo 🥲 it's the worst smelling of all 😂

Our Springer found a dead vole to roll around in the other day. This was just after proudly bringing us a dead rabbit and depositing it at our feet. He's so generous 😄

" Real dogs" ... As opposed to my fictional imaginary dog? How come I have to feed him and take him to the vet if he's not real?