Dog and beer garden

[HandbagsnGladrags]

Would you take your dog to sit in a pub beer garden in the temperatures we're currently experiencing in the UK? We drive there, so no walking. Healthy dog, no issues. He's in and out of the garden all day, looks for shade when he needs it.

Someone made a comment yesterday and I'm feeling a bit judged for taking him out.

We went out for lunch today in a pub garden. It was 29 and really uncomfortable. An older couple walked in with a black poodle and I was a bit like 🤨 why would you? it's much cooler at home so why take a dog out in that kind of heat.

Rigggggght. 🤔
Even in evening I wouldnt. 20 degrees in a fur coat is still awful. The reason you felt judged is because someone did judge you, and I'd do the same.

If you're truly confident you made the right decision, someone else's opinion shouldn't bother you.

But it clearly has bothered you - which tells me that maybe deep down you know it wasn't the smartest idea.

It would have been too hot for my dog today. He’s a black Labrador and he doesn’t do well in temperatures over about 20°. He’s a working type so I’ve no idea what he’d do if he actually had to work 😂. He’s spent the day in his cooking collar, eating frozen kongs and taking the odd trip into the garden to check if I’m still alive. He went for a walk at 9pm when it cooled off.

So does no one do anything with their dogs in the summer other than walk them very early and late evening? 20 degrees is too hot - really? Genuine question.

Not when it's 27 degrees outside, no.

Yep I think that you have been. Dogs do not need playdates.

I have to be very careful as I have giant dogs. Overweight, elderly or brachy dogs are also very at risk.
Dogs can overheat very quickly.

Last year we were away on holiday just as the heatwave started, we had a few cool, damp days then it got progressively hotter, our dog is double coated, we were aware she would get hot so we tried to get out of the heat at lunchtime and did stuff later or went into forests/ woodlands to get cooler. She was fine lounging around in the caravan/ awning/ under the van. No long walks, short and frequent. We looked up dog friendly museums and attractions. Steam railway 🚂 is one of our favourites. Walks along old railway trails are usually quite sheltered, too.
Adapting to the conditions. Too warm, it's morning and evenings .

Even in evening I wouldnt. 20 degrees in a fur coat is still awful. The reason you felt judged is because someone did judge you, and I'd do the same.

Oh please. A dog's fur coat protects it from the heat, it really isn't the same as a human wearing one on a sunny day, despite what all the Facebook memes say. A dog walk to the pub in 20 degrees is totally fine.

The pheasant shooting season starts in October and runs until February. This is where working labs will be at their busiest.

I’m guessing this is meant for me, so yes, for my dog it is. I’m sure it’s not for others. Ours is black, double coated and not prone to staying still. We went to our friend’s for a bbq this afternoon, he usually comes with us but today he stayed at home in his cooking collar. Our friends’ small, white Jack Russell was outside with us and not even panting.

My dog loves a playdate at her friends house and will drag me down the road to get to their house! She wouldn't enjoy meeting lots of strange dogs, though. She is very selective about her friends.

So my dog is white. Not double coated. 18 months old, not overweight.

It does feel like it varies by dog, which makes sense.

In most crappy new build U.K.
houses it will have been hotter in the house than in the shade outside today laying on cool grass. People are idiots. You did nothing wrong. Ignore and move on.

Yes. I walk mine early, anytime up to 9am. Breakfast once cooled down. Out for wee at lunch and maybe 4pm. Then walk at 9pm onwards. Dinner before bed. All three of mine sleep in the utility which is tiled, north facing and 15 degrees during day. They rarely want a hotter temperature, free range of downstairs. Would never bring into town or in car unless cool.

A coat is insulating and dogs cant sweat except to pant. So they cannot regulate heat regardless of what you think.

Thing is, inside the dog can choose where to go, drink water on demand to cool and be out of sun. Also no other dogs or stressors. Very different.

A coat is insulating and dogs cant sweat except to pant. So they cannot regulate heat regardless of what you think.

Yes, they can. That's why it's so important that certain breeds aren't shaved - it stops the dog from being able to regulate their temperature.

Dogs also lose heat through their paws.

@Gardendad The dog was in the shade on the cool grass. There was no cooler place to be. Water was provided and the dog could drink on demand. You're properly stretching to think a well socialised dog is stressed due to other on lead dogs in a beer garden!

Isn’t it lovely that the dog likes the pub. No wonder so many of these establishments are closing at an alarming rate. Full of dogs and kids.

Most people are completely oblivious as to when dogs are stressed in social situations. They miss all the cues.

A coat is insulating and dogs cant sweat except to pant. So they cannot regulate heat regardless of what you think.

Not true... A quick google will tell you "People tend to think of a dog's coat as if it is a woolly jumper, but that is not the case. While it does keep them warm in the winter, in the summer it acts like a sunshade keeping the delicate skin cool and safe from UV. Shaving it off removes that protection."

Once a dog gets hot, particularly a dark or double coated dog it takes a long time to cool down. So why would you take any dog out in 27 degree heat ?

I would as long as a relatively small chance of car breaking down, shade & water.

My dog (love her) is a PITA. I will put a doggie pool up for her in the shade, set up a fan in the kitchen (cool tilted for her to lie on) and leave the front room (very cool and shady) lounge door ajar, then I will find her lying on the dark grey decking, in full on sunshine sunbathing! 🤦🏻‍♀️🙄