Dogs being walked when it’s too hot - do you say anything?

[Trumptontown]

I’ve just seen two brachy breeds (a pug and a bulldog) being walked when it’s 27 degrees outside. Both were clearly struggling. Every year I get really upset seeing dogs being walked when it’s clearly far too hot but am scared of saying something in case the owners react aggressively. Equally, I feel terrible NOT saying anything because those dogs have no voice.

How do you handle this?

Not all dogs though. Some struggle, others are fine. I wouldn’t take any dog on a run in the heat, but shorter toilet breaks are fine.

I'm betting that half of the people who fuss about other people's decisions to walk their dogs in warm weather are also people who subject their dogs to the fuss and heat of unnecessary dog clothing.

Also boxer owner. Our girl is not going to be walked in this weather either. She has spent the day between the shady part of the garden and flipped out in front of the fan

It's really not. It depends on the dog, and where it's being walked - does it have access to shade or water, is there a breeze, how long is it out for etc.

My dogs are not old, they are slim and they are both very fit. They have normal muzzles.

They were walked today when it was about 25C. There was a bit of a breeze and they were both completely fine - they ran about and generally enjoyed themselves. I stopped to chat to someone and they got bored and made it obvious that they wanted to get on.

Walking them in this weather helps to acclimatise them so when it's hotter, they'll be able to handle it.

I used to live in a country where the daily range in temperature could be 25C or more - sub-zero at night, 25C+ by lunchtime. The dogs were fine.

I've got an older cocker spaniel with heart failure so I'm super careful about walking him in the heat. We were walking at 8am today on a shady farmtrack and he's had the paddling pool out in the garden this afternoon under a parasol.

It makes me rage seeing dogs being walked in heat but you can't fix stupid and I don't have the mental energy to try.

We saw loads of dogs out in the woods today. Dirt paths, tree shading and a stream they were splashing in. They all looked happy and fine with the heat to me. I think where matters as much as the temperature on hot days.

It absolutely is if you’re wearing a fur coat!

It does irritate me when I see so many people out in the hot midday sun with their struggling dogs because they NEED a walk, yet when its pissing it down in January, there are no dogs to be seen. Can all those dogs suddenly cope just fine without a walk?

For the record, I was out at midday alone today, DDog was chilling in the shade at home.

I'd recommend keeping your beak out. You don't know how long they've been out. You don't know why they're out. Let people look after their own dogs

Uneducated remark.

It depends on the dog. But yes, I’d say 27 is far too hot for brachycephalic breeds and yes, I’d say something, particularly if the dog appeared to be in distress. Every year dogs die because people are stupid in warm weather.

It’s not always unnecessary - my thin skinned, single coated scruffy lurcher is fine when it’s just cold, but if it’s cold and windy/ wet he’s just useless and needs a coat. Previous dogs were fine in inclement weather but this one is not.

We’ve spent a glorious day by the sea today - he’s had a whale of a time.

You sound charming

Because people - a good number at least - do such a good job of that.

To be honest, you may as well keep your beak out in most cases. Not because it's right to do so but because it often makes no difference. A couple were telling me about their relative's terrier cross that they sometimes look after. She does this thing where every third stride she does a cute little hop with her rear leg, they said. Now, I'd want someone to tell me in that circumstance that the behaviour may well be pain related. But they didn't want to know. No reaction at all. It's possible they mentioned it to the owner, it's possible that the owner is aware of it but I wouldn't put any money on either.
There's nothing wrong with not knowing things but there is something wrong with not being open minded enough to consider things and there is something wrong with not trying to help if you can. That's just my opinion.

'hot countries' are not necessarily hot all the time, Spain, Italy France, all have very cold weather, their dogs may have just been born or brought over, no one makes this much fuss abroad. Its either hot for a dog or its not.

If a dog has just been born or just been brought into the UK, it is not more heat-tolerant it’s usually less adapted, not more! Puppies especially are veulnerable and overheat quicker.

The UK is different too - our heat is awfully humid. Dogs cool down by panting, which is less effective in humid conditions.
It really does make a difference; South African friends who visit really struggle in oir heatwaves. Ditto my South African colleagues. It's insane - I always laugh and say "but wtf you live in South Africa FFS" and they always say the heat here is worse.

Let's disagree. And in any case, humidity or not- Just because something is the done thing in a hot country doesn't mean it is humane.

My dog barked and barked as he wanted to go out for a poo. We went to the park and stayed mostly in the shade. But did have to get there on the road. He refuses to poo in the garden.

Of course they do.

I meant to say from the UK, lots of people emigrate with their pets

Tell that to all the dogs where I live. They are also out in winter. I live in a place that has a continental climate.

99% of mammals have fur and a good chunk of them live in environments a bit harsher than Sussex on a warm spring day.

From what you say, it doesn't seem that you have any evidence that this terrier's leg hasn't been investigated. My terrier has the same issue it's a very common problem. I raised it with my vet and opted for a referral to a specialist vet. They confirmed that he had an orthopedic issue ''maltracking' in the knee joint. Their judgement was that surgery was not indicated and no restrictions on exercise were needed. The maltracking doesn't cause pain, and surgery comes with risks.

If you saw me out with him, you would presumably be imagining that I needed to be told about the possibility that he is in pain?

It’s too hot for me and I don’t have a fur coat!

I have two dogs. Golden retriever has a thick coat and does get hot, but tends to find water on our walks no matter the weather. My rescue dog is from a very hot country and worships the sun, she’s always found in the sunniest spot in the garden. 27C wouldn’t phase her.

There are dogs in really hot countries round the world