Even though I walk the dogs twice a day in all weathers, I can’t admit to enjoying getting soaked.  When the weather’s good here, it’s beautiful.  When it’s wet, its dismal.

I was in Ravenglass this morning doing a shorter version of one of our favourite walks around Muncaster Castle.  (That’s because of Kylah’s sprain, which is getting better very quickly). This time it was lovely.  The last time we were there we got severely rained on for about an hour.  It was distinctly unpleasant.  And that’s what triggered this thought.

A book I used to have called The Good Guide To The Lakes said:

There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad equipment.

I disagree.  I defy anyone to remain robustly cheerful after being deluged, even if they are still dry underneath.

Getting on to the point - I do my best to take my dogs out twice a day, every day.  However, sometimes the boys look at me as if to say “Can we not stay indoors where it’s dry, please?”

I’m not a fair weather walker.  I’ll go out in anything if the dogs need their exercise.   But if the idea of going out in the rain isn’t your thing, you need to choose a dog that’s happy to stay indoors when it’s horrible.

Depending on your climate, that might mean choosing a dog which needs less exercise.  If it rains a lot, and you’re going to miss lots of walks, you need a lower energy dog anyway.

Working and gundogs are poor choices for people who don’t like to get wet.  They’re also poor choices for people who don’t have the time for long walks and ‘thinking’ activities.  Your average labrador, springer spaniel, border collie, weimeraner, Hungarian Vizla, border terrier, Irish water spaniel and Irish Setter are just a few of the dogs which fall into that category.

Dogs that don’t enjoy the rain that much include many of the toy and companion breeds, the greyhound, and dogs from hot climates such as the saluki, azawakh and hairless breeds.  Some of these are very active, others not so.

If you’re a fair weather walker, choose a dog which will be happy to stay in if it’s pelting down with rain.   But you should always try to offer an alternative to make up for lost exercise and bonding time.

If you have the indoor space to make up for a missed walk by doing some training, or playing in your home, so the dog is actually being stimulated, that’s great. Or you might be able to find a dog obedience class, agility, heelwork to music, flyball or other dog activity in a covered venue to occupy some of your wet times.

But coming back to the main point – are you likely to be a fair weather walker?  Be honest!  Because this is something you must consider when choosing a dog.  There’s no point choosing an all-weather dog, even if it fits all the other criteria,  if you’re not going to be ‘all weather’ with it.

Personally I’d rather be in front of the TV as well!

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Look , even for me who’s out with the dogs twice a day every day, walking in the rain and wind holds very little attraction!

It holds even less attraction for the dogs I can tell you.  It might come as a surprise but not all dogs like the idea of getting wet, let alone the reality.  My greyhounds hate it.  Though they have their waterproofs, Blue makes me look like I’m the cruellest owner in the world even when it’s only his head that’s wet.   His head hangs so low sometimes I think he’ll graze his nose on the ground!

But there is a serious point to this.  I used to think coats for dogs were silly until I got the greyhounds. 

Last week Robin and I went for walk along the Coniston lakeshore with the dogs and we got soaked.  It was ok when we started but we probably spent about 2 hours in heavy rain.  It went through the dogs’ waterproofs.  Blue and Vinnie were shivering with cold, and the air temperature was warm – about 17 degrees centigrade.  The point is that Greyhounds have so little fur and fat that without coats they can get hypothermia  in heavy rain at even moderate temperatures.  In cold weather – less than about 5 degress centigrade – Greyhounds need a fleece lined waterproof coat to keep out the chill (and the wind).

There are lots of dogs which thrive in all conditions and seem inpervious to the cold and wet.  Examples of this include the Newfoundland with its heavy coat, The Portuguese Water Dog,  the Border Terrier and the Labrador Retriever with its good fat insulation layer.

However, there are many breeds of dog not well equipped for unpleasant or cold weather.  Many of the toy breeds have fur which doesn’t protect them very well from the rain or wind – such as Yorkshire Terriers.  The hairless breeds need protection from the sun as well as from the cold.  Some of the larger breeds which don’t carry much fat or were ‘desert dogs’ such as the Saluki also need protection from the elements.

So if you thought coats for dogs were silly – think again.  For some breeds coats are essential.  

Consider this….

An adult male can get hypothermia in heavy rain at 8 degrees centigrade.  And you don’t give a second thought to putting a coat on yourself when it’s cold, windy or raining.  So do consider whether your dog would also benefit.  Whatever breed you choose, read up on how well it does in different weather conditions and kit it out appropriately.  Your dog will love you for it.

Also if like me you end up with 4 largish dogs in the house, using lightweight rainmacs keeps the smell of wet dog to a minimum!

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