Dog owners of the UK. How hot does it have to get before you stop taking them for a walk?

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heliskinki@reddit

Put your hand on the pavement. If it’s hot to touch, it’s too hot for dog paws.

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SmashingK@reddit

Seems there might be a market for doggy shoes.

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feckarse-drinkgirls@reddit

Theres different sorts as well

Heat ones, cold ones

Police dogs get protective ones for broken glass and such

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ImThatBitchNoodles@reddit

Dog shoes will never not be cute to me. They look so silly with their little boots on.

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Legitimate_Corgi_981@reddit

Especially the first few times they wear them and they perform some kind of interpretive dance trying to figure out why their feet feel different.

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Ancient-Awareness115@reddit

My dog walks like she is auditioning for the ministry of funny walks when anything is on her feet

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Suspicious_Tax8577@reddit

My mum's puppy loves to steal socks. So i get them from him and then put them on one of his feet. Hilarity ensues.

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AirconGuyUK@reddit

Does this advice all come from people who do pavement walks then?

I guess it makes sense in that context. It's never made sense to me as I walk them in the green bits, with shade, water sources, etc.

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heliskinki@reddit

I walk mine in the woods, still got to walk on pavement to get there.

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AirconGuyUK@reddit

I'm a lazy dog walker. I drive to the walks 😂

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Dazz316@reddit

Your dogs paws are tougher than your hand.

Let your dog tell you that, if it hurts it's paws, it's going to act like it hurts to touch the ground.

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Superspark76@reddit

Use the back of your hand or your elbow. They are more sensitive to heat.

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100pc_recycled_words@reddit

On top of this - watch out for metal drain covers and grills on the pavement. They’ll obviously be much hotter than the surrounding slabs, especially if they’re in direct sunlight

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cold_tap_hot_brew@reddit

Who remembers roasting your doke off in the summers on 80s/90s metal playparks. The chute was a beezer for scorched bumcheeks

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Gingerpett@reddit

I have understood 38% of your comment and enjoyed the experience immensely.

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cold_tap_hot_brew@reddit

Haha. I’m a Doric speaker and sometimes the words just still come out that way if I’ve been text pals. Sorry.

Translation : who remembers quite severely burning your bum in the summers of the 80s and 90s on metal playparks equipement. The slide was a significant cause of scorched bumcheeks.

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Grezmo@reddit

This is a load of rubbish but I guess it's an easy way to help people understand a simple concept and to consider the heat before walking their dogs. Dog's paws are far more resilient than your hand.

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heliskinki@reddit

An easy way to help people understand something is not “a load of rubbish”.

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DinkyPrincess@reddit

An easy guide we can all do and understand.

I call that useful information

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Grezmo@reddit

I meant a load of rubbish as in factually incorrect

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People keep quoting this but ignore it when it's too cold for your hand. Or if it was gravel and too uncomfortable. Dog paws are far more robust than your hands and the real answer is it depends on your breed, and age of your dog.

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yourefunny@reddit

Depends on the dog. My dog is from the middle east. He loves the heat.

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RaisinHorror1440@reddit

5 degrees centigrade where I live.

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Virtual_Remote_8467@reddit

I won't take my boy out if it's over 20°C. He's a chocolate lab, so his size and dark coat makes him get hot very quickly.

He's only going out early morning and after 8pm for the foreseeable.

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shanelomax@reddit

For those unaware, it isn't just about their paws on the pavement.

Dogs don't sweat, they can't regulate temperature the same way we do. If it's over 20° and there isn't ample shade or a cool breeze, you're risking heat stroke in even the healthiest dog.

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Prudent_Psychology57@reddit

You know what dogs DO do to regualte their temperature... RIGHT!?!??!? Why isn't that in your comment?

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shanelomax@reddit

...because it's not necessary to add?

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Prudent_Psychology57@reddit

you're risking heat stroke in even the healthiest dog if you don't know what to look out for

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Bubbly-Weakness-4788@reddit

This one should be pinned to the top.

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Prudent_Psychology57@reddit

I'd agree if it didn't ommit the information about how your dog regulates their temperature and what you SHOULD look out for..

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shanelomax@reddit

The information wasnt "omitted" because that implies intention.

The information isn't necessary to my post. You can add if you like?

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Prudent_Psychology57@reddit

It's ok to have different opinions on what pinned messages should contain, but you're right about the choice of word.

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faroffland@reddit

Not OP but what you’re looking for:

Dogs cannot sweat across their body like humans can. They only really sweat through their paws. So panting is their main way of temperature regulation and the only major way they can cool down. Heavy panting is not just a sign your dog is too hot but that it is struggling to cool down - every owner knows their dog and should be able to recognise ‘normal’ panting from heavy panting in their dog. If your dog starts panting heavily, it’s a sign you need to stop what you’re doing and allow them to cool off.

This is why flat-faced breeds like frenchies, pugs etc that struggle to breathe well at the best of times will find temperature regulation extremely difficult in hot weather. So if you have a flat-faced breed be very aware and careful about hot weather, they can only try to cool down via panting and this is often NOT effective enough for flat-faced dogs, they cannot release enough heat via panting and why so many suffer from heat stroke in warmer temperatures.

General signs of milder heat stroke - heavy panting, drooling, trying to stop or sit down on walks. Severe heat stroke - vomiting, staggering, collapsing, non-responsive, bright red or pale gums.

Advice for anyone whose dog appears to be struggling or you suspect has heat stroke as it comes on quick - stop the exercise immediately, get them into a shaded area, call your vet immediately but also do NOT cover them with any kind of wet material e.g. a wet towel. You might think you’re helping cool them down but this actually traps in heat and is one of the worst things you can do. Move the dog into shade, wet them with cool (not freezing cold) water but do not cover them, and get a breeze going with opening a window, air con if in a car or even a gentle fan if you have one available.

Hope everyone’s doggies stay well this weekend!

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OkSun8521@reddit

That's not how Reddit works.

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Bubbly-Weakness-4788@reddit

No shit! I know this haha.

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swagsthedog96@reddit

Texas checking in here. We have dogs. It’s hot like your “heatwaves” 6 months of the year. Just saying.

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donaldstinypeepee@reddit

Thanks for that, really helpful.

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Southern_Drawing7996@reddit

You have AC. Just saying.

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Neddlings55@reddit

So they will be perfectly acclimatised to it then, wont they?

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WestleyMc@reddit

What are you saying?

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TheSpudFather@reddit

We take ours straight to the stream. He has a good paddle about, then we walk a wet dog.

There's another stream half way through, so he has another paddle, and then a third one on his way home. He seems very happy with the arrangement.

(He's a spaniel, so would be in the stream in the depths of winter as well for a quick splash, but in this weather he wallows until he's cool)

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NecronomiconUK@reddit

20c is too low

Of course it depends on the length of the walk, type of dog and of course the pavement factor but I’d put the figure closer to about 25c

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AddSomeSpice@reddit

Anything over 20c is putting your dog at risk regardless of breed. Just get up earlier or walk them much later than normal.

It’s not forever and your dog will appreciate. We just let ours out in the garden and he decides where he wants to sit, or if he wants to come in.

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ianf2k13@reddit

Over 20 is NOT putting your dog at risk. And I think that figure promotes or provides an excuse to not exercise your doggo. There’s enough overweight dogs without spreading that figure

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Realistic_Pickle2309@reddit

It really depends! I have a golden retriever, and if the temperature is 20c and full sun, it would be too hot for him to walk. However if 20c, but overcast or rainy day he would be ok.

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whitewaterg1rl@reddit

We’ve had summers when it’s not dropped below 20 even at night for a couple of weeks. You can keep a high energy breed in for that long

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SoberShiv@reddit

I’m really sorry, but it’s not putting dogs at risk if it’s 20°. This is scaremongering and it’s simply not true.

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AirconGuyUK@reddit

Anything over 20c is putting your dog at risk regardless of breed.

Yeah I don't believe this.

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ReallySmallFeet@reddit

I'm a Brit living in Florida, and it is currently 33C, and my retriever will go play in the backyard for 10-15 mins at a time, as long as he has a big bucket of fresh cool water and some tree shade.

Even then, he still wants to come in and lie under and AC vent to cool off. There's just no way he goes for a longer walk unless it's early morning or dusk, with the exception of going to the dog beach now and then.

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Suspicious_Tax8577@reddit

My mum's dog - either spends all day absolutely baking himself in the sun, or on her bed going "It's too hot, I'm absolutely never moving ever again".

Which tbh, is not too dissimilar to what we do as brits.

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northyj0e@reddit

Bro I live in the south of Spain, in summer, it literally never goes below 23 for 3/4 months. I have a standard issue short haired village dog, a mutt of mutts, but quite a big one (35kg), he has no issues at all until around 37/38 degrees, then he starts to pant after sprinting around. His best friend, on the other hand, is a husky malamute cross that is literally more than 50% hair by cross section and has lived here for 13 years. He starts to pant at slightly lower temp, but still demands 3 walks a day at over an hour each.

If over 20° were a risk, there would be no dogs living in my town at all.

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JustLetMeLurkDammit@reddit

20c is room temperature though. Am I putting my dog at risk of heat stroke just by letting him in my house?

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kernowgringo@reddit

You forgot the "I'm holier than you" dog owner factor

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Icy_Attention3413@reddit

There’s only a risk at 20°C if they are really exerting themselves. I can’t think of a single breed that would have difficulty going for a normal paced walk at this temperature, except for any dog which is overweight.

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Stereo_bfs@reddit

That's bullshit. 25° is normal pleasant summer temperature.

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feebsiegee@reddit

Yes, for humans.

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allyearswift@reddit

Not all humans. (29 today, pleasantly warm. Sat out in the sunshine and soaked it up.)

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rab10000@reddit

Not for me it's not. That's verging on being too hot for me.

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NecronomiconUK@reddit

Got a legitimate source on the 'over 20c' claim?

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Supergoose5000@reddit

I'm calling absolute bullshit on that. A year ago it was 25⁰ 2 years ago it was 27⁰

Walk your dog and be smart about it

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DinkyPrincess@reddit

Exactly this.

Mine love the sun. They can play or sit on the furniture outside. But they self regulate and come inside regularly.

They can’t do that on a walk if they’re too hot.

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HughLauriePausini@reddit

Do you realise dogs live in much hotter climates too?

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iBonsaiBob@reddit

You go to a hot climate and see if you see a dog running around between the hourly of 1100 & 1500.

This isn't a question of if but when.

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ChrisinNed@reddit

Only mad ones

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LlamaDrama007@reddit

And English men.

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OkSun8521@reddit

We're just innocent men.

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iBonsaiBob@reddit

We might not be able to afford lobster but we sure can look like it

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Gisschace@reddit

Yes but they’re adapted for the heat, our ex stray in Qatar had basically no hair on his belly or a lot of his legs.

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jimmy011087@reddit

“Only mad dogs and Englishmen” applies those places. People there tend to go out earlier and later.

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shanelomax@reddit

The UK isn't a hot climate, we have outlying hot days.

The same could be said about old people dying of heat stroke in the UK. Old people exist in other countries too. Different countries have different climates and different acclimatisation needs.

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Full-Suggestion-1320@reddit

The buildings, dress and lifestyle are also adjusted for hot weather. This weekend, dogs in the UK will still have winter coat, as they cannot shed fast enough to cope with the heat.

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scarby2@reddit

Also old people still die of heat stroke in hotter climates it's just normal so less of a fuss is made about it.

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someguyhaunter@reddit

Usually much less humid, and often just chill out in the shade for most of the day, otherwise plenty without shade will suffer the effects of heat.

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Pale_Bake9434@reddit

But they acclimatise to the environment in the UK it’s very random to get these super super hot days

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FrostyAd9064@reddit

We also need to bear in mind though that it’s not as black and white as this makes it seem. A young, healthy dog having a slow, sniffy 10 min walk for a quick wee when there’s no access to a garden is not at risk of heatstroke for example even if it’s 21-22 degrees.

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Kaiisim@reddit

Yup, also counter intuitively, their fur also insulates them from heat very effectively. It traps cool air between the skin and fur - the sun just heats the fur not the dog, similar to your hair.

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OkSun8521@reddit

Where exactly is this "cool air" coming from?

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Da5ren@reddit

Exactly. My dog was raised in a flat before we had a garden, so he never does the toilet unless he’s out a walk. I think he sees the garden as an extension of the house and refuses to go there.

A 10 minute walk around the block so he can go is MUCH less cruel than expecting him to hold it in.

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DreamsComeTrue1994@reddit

What do you think happens to dogs in Italy, Spain, Greece where temperatures are above 20C 8 months a year, and above 30C 6 months a year, with the peak being 45C+ degrees over summer heatwaves? Or do you think people in Madrid, Milan or Athens have gardens?

Sure you don’t take them out between 12:00 and 17:00 but otherwise they are fine. They just need lots of water and not overdoing it with the activity.

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shanelomax@reddit

Dogs in Italy, Spain and Greece are acclimated to Mediterranean weather. Dogs bred in the UK are acclimated to UK weather.

This is like asking how it is possible old people in the UK die of heatstroke, when old people in warmer countries are just fine.

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Stereo_bfs@reddit

So how dogs are surviving in the hot climate? I've seen plenty of dogs wandering in Turkey when was very warm.

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shanelomax@reddit

The same way that alll species thrive in different climates - they acclimatise.

The UK doesn't have a hot climate, it has outlier hot days. Dogs in the UK are acclimated to milder weather. Dogs in Turkey are acclimated to warmer weather.

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faroffland@reddit

Yes - dogs do sweat but only through their paws, so panting is their main way to regulate their temperature. It’s why brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds struggle to regulate their temperature so much and it’s even more dangerous for those breeds.

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Kwayzar9111@reddit

my dogs love walking in the paddling pool,

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EmFan1999@reddit

And there’s a difference in walking and running. An on lead walk in the shade, perfectly fine. Running full pelt somewhere sunny, especially with no water, not fine, and size and breed matter too

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TheGreatAutismo__@reddit

If you put the back of your hand to the pavement and quickly pull it back because it shocks you, it's too hot for them.

If you have to absolutely take them for a walk because they need to do their business, take an old squirty bleach bottle, ideally the kind that can produce a mist, fill it with cold water and mist them, it will help with cooling by evaporating and taking some heat whilst they do their business and then back inside and on to a cold wet towel for additional cooling.

During the July 2022 heatwave where it was 30s and 40s across the country and continent, I was chasing my shih tzu around the house misting him to keep him cool, the steam that would emanate from his little napper was a site to behold.

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neverendum@reddit

This has to be a wind up. Mid-20s and people are acting like it's extreme heat.

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Gold-Creme-9597@reddit

Agree. The endless posts about keeping cool etc? Get a grip. Walk your dog early, don’t walk them in the middle of the day. Basically apply common sense.

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who-gives-a@reddit

The world's gone utterly mad.

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Cheese_roller@reddit

Mine, currently. He’s not going anywhere!

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Gold-Creme-9597@reddit

Oh I love bull terriers what a cutie!

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bullet_theory92@reddit

He knows where the cold comes from 😭

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Cheese_roller@reddit

Is now trying to find shade (and the sticks of two Fab lollies!).

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bullet_theory92@reddit

What a gorgeous trooper! Thanks for sharing 🙂

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Cheese_roller@reddit

Head on over to the Bull Terrier sub, he’s on there daily! (Any excuse to post a picture of his antics)

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Amazing-Heron-105@reddit

Love Bull Terriers such cute looking dogs 👍

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Round_Grand_4716@reddit

Is that your choice or his?

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stu676@reddit

Love EBT’s. Stubborn lazy hammerheads.

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harry5544@reddit

People saying they wouldn’t walk their dog over 15 - that’s just you being lazy. 15 is absolutely fine, I reckon you just barely walk your dog and that’s your excuse. I’ve had people make comments at me walking my dog when it’s 20 outside even though it was a grassy, Shady area which pissed me off. He’s a big healthy dog and he needs his exercise. Also he was rescued from Spain so pretty sure he can handle a bit of heat. 23 is my cut off for him and I avoid hot pavements and he’s not off the lead so can’t run around. It depends on circumstances- it again, 15 is ridiculous.

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Gold-Creme-9597@reddit

Agree, 15 is total insanity.

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WackyWhippet@reddit

A lot of it really is just lockdown-dog owners looking for an excuse to be lazy. First it was 25+ then 20, by next year we'll probably have abuse thrown at us for walking the dog in any weather.

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feralhog3050@reddit

YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO GET THEM WET

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deathbypuppies_@reddit

They do have a habit of shrinking in the wash…

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TinyDemon000@reddit

From the main pet store near me in Australia....

https://www.petstock.com.au/blog/articles/warning-hot-pavements-burn-dogs-paws-is-your-dog-safe

"You should avoid walking your dog when the temperature is above 23°C, especially if the humidity is high.

If you can’t comfortably hold your hand on the pavement for five to seven seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. Early mornings or late evenings are the safest times for summer walks."

Lots of other info on that page regarding different temps.

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unseemly_turbidity@reddit

Aussie sunshine is a bit stronger than UK sunshine tbf, even when the temperature in the shade is the same.

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powderedtoastman44@reddit

I find this is a useful and sensible guide

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Dramatic-Fun3077@reddit

Yeah I walked my dog the other day at 22-23 degrees. It was largely along a shaded canal path and my dog had a big ole nose and needs her walks. No more than that temp though.

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BuckfastAndHairballs@reddit

That's insane, it's above 15 degrees for a good part of the year even in scotland

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faroffland@reddit

Do people really say 15?? That’s mental lol I’ve only ever encountered low 20s as a cut-off which is way more reasonable depending on the dog.

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PsychologicalDish430@reddit

Yeah 15 is abit ridiculous jeez

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Feisty-Effective-998@reddit

I use this website: https://goodtowalk.co.uk/

You put in your postcode and dog info and it tells you when it’s safe to take them out.

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EmFan1999@reddit

Ah perfect, the next safe window for my husky is midnight tonight!

Bit silly that is, she goes out 9-10am even on days like this because it will be 20c or lower and she’s usually in woods and/or on grass with dew, shade and a stream/puddles, so it’s cooler where she is walking

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WackyWhippet@reddit

The app is absurd lol. Just a poor quality weather app whose developer has decided no dog could possibly survive temperatures over 19C even when it's fucking night time.

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_SuspiciousTurnip@reddit

u/WackyWhippet Hey I'm the developer! :) The app actually takes several considerations into calculation (temp, size, breed, age etc.), and is based off widely used UK vet advice! Absurd or not, if it helps some dog owners make an educated choice about walking pups in the heat, that's good enough for me :)

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AirconGuyUK@reddit

Apparrently next time I can walk my dog is... 4am tomorrow.

Or I could just take her to the park now and watch her splash around in the pond.. I think I'll do that.

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AirconGuyUK@reddit

Is there any part of our decision making we don't offload to an algorithm nowadays?

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inhindsite@reddit

Thats a cool site. Thanks for the link.

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Sixforsilver7for@reddit

Does it also offer a service where they explain to my dog why he's not allowed out til 5am tomorrow morning?

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Feisty-Effective-998@reddit

Unfortunately not!

It would be useful to have that and a ‘why no ball?’ explainer.

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MissC0985@reddit

Thanks for this link. I'm a vet nurse and will be showing this to my clients.

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cadburyshero@reddit

Up until this year, my dog has been fine up to about 25 for short/shady/near water walks.

However, he’s about to turn 12 and anything above 20 is starting to get a bit much.

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Jeyway23@reddit

20 was our limit and that was a slow on lead walk

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flynn421@reddit

It's really easy. If I think "ooh it's lovely and sunny out, I'll go out and get some sun" that means "don't take the dog, he will overheat".

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Hobbitwalker@reddit

We don’t take the dogs out if it’s over 20 degrees, I know dogs live in hotter countries but 20 degrees into the evening happens so infrequently that I doubt they are missing out.

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chocklityclair@reddit

That's because there are a lot of pet owners who don't know how to care for their pets. It's not something that's talked about much, tbf. I've had several dogs and not once did I see anything about not walking them in the heat.

Having said that, if my dog is flat out on a cold floor, panting, or standing in the shade looking at me like I just took away his favourite bone, I'm going to get the message. I stay indoors when it's that hot.

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Skinnybet@reddit

My dog has just had his summer groom and he’s super short haired now. He’s not a boy who will go toilet on my garden so walking him is still necessary unfortunately. Luckily I live across the street from fields. I carry him across and we have a short walk in the shade

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Hot-Credit-5624@reddit

My greyhound really does not do well in anything over about 23c. He’s got almost no body fat, so is unable to regulate his temps and that also means his paw pads provide less protection from the pavement.

I think the official guidance is that if you can’t put the back of your hand to the pavement for 5 seconds, it’s too hot.

We go to early morning/ late night walks and brief toilet breaks during the day.

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WonderfulNecessary81@reddit

20c max.

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DanRose001@reddit

Today as an example, 25 degrees here, I walked the boy around 6:30am over the field which is about 2mins down the path from the back gate.

He’s then had free roam in/out the house and garden all day, finds the cool spots he likes.

Just taking him out now, 7pm, still 23 degrees but the field is now completely shaded and it gets a breeze down the far side.

On both walks he is out 25/30mins, comes home and can go lay on the kitchen tiles by the utility door and cool off if he needs.

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mad_saffer@reddit

If I can't put my hand on the ground and comfortablely hold it there for 10 seconds it's too hot. It means we go for 5:30am walks and 9:00pm walks it kills me to be up so early, but at least my pooch gets her exercise

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LaurenNotABot@reddit

Our dog wont have his normal lunch time walk from now till the temps drop again.

We have a Shiba and he won’t go to the toilet in our garden, he’s very particular about where he poops!

Luckily, we back onto nice shaded woodland so when it’s like this we take him for a longer walk in the morning then a short walk in the woods at lunch time so he can go to the toilet and then a longer one in the evening.

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heidivodka@reddit

My boy’s like that, he has to have the runs to poo in the back garden. It was too hot at lunchtime to take him out, so we’ve just come back from a walk now the wind has picked up.

He’s currently asleep on his gel cool mat we got from home bargains- best thing I’ve ever bought him.

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RRW2020@reddit

I run mine in fields. 21, maybe 22 is where I draw the line. If I was just walking them on the road it would be different. It would be a short walk, maybe 1/4 of a mile and I would use the pavement test. So maybe I would get up to like 24 with that. With both these things they would come home and get hosed down.

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RepublicWarm2383@reddit

My dog is from Greece. She literally tries to sit in the fire when it's on. I don't have a temperature problem with him typically.

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Eskimojudi123@reddit

Yess, one of mine is from Cyprus and loves the sun. I have to force him to stay inside when it’s hot.

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ColbysRevenge@reddit

If the dog's gotta go then he's gotta go. Is he supposed to use a litter tray otherwise?

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TumbleweedDeep4878@reddit

Go out in your winter coat and see how it feels

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glorybeef@reddit

If your dog is fully healthy, you should have figured it out by now what they enjoy and can cope with. Mine was out today in high sun and she loved it, tired at home ate a big dinner.

If your dog isn't healthy, please take advice from your vet. Please use common sense rather than reading Reddit because it's better for you to understand and monitor your dog

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garryblendenning@reddit

In the summer we do big walks in the morning or evening and something like a 15 min walk in as much shade as possible at lunchtime.

My dog is five and a terrier. I have to get her out of the house at lunchtime even it's just for a quick wee and back home.

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FumbleMyEndzone@reddit

No dog is going to die if they miss one walk

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TheFattestNinja@reddit

Rly depends on the breed and coat...

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Wild_Region_7853@reddit

It does depend on the dog but ours taps out at about 21°

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ShrimpStuffAdmin@reddit

I saw people near the river playing fetch with their dogs in 30+ heat. People are idiots, doesn't mean you need to join them in torturing your dog. Just take it out when its dark or cooler

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Venoxulous@reddit

My wife is a vet nurse, whenever she says "no" is when its hot enough 😅

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seewolfe@reddit

Anything over 21-22 equals no walk and since we have weather forecasts , we tale a longer walk at 6am

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anycraicwiyou@reddit

not very, cos i cannot cope with strong sunshine. so my boy will always be fine- out early & out late! apart from toilet breaks, of course.

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Eskimojudi123@reddit

If it’s hot (over 25 degrees) I tend to take the dogs for a proper walk first thing in the morning and late in the evening. But my rescue dog from Cyprus is an idiot and loves lying in the sunniest spot of the garden until I force him to go inside. He’s also a mostly black GSD/Husky/hound cross so has a big multi-layered furry coat on. Dog man’s not hot.

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Strong-Librarian-OOK@reddit

I’ve got my dog (an elderly black greyhound: pretty much the epitome of dogs that don’t deal with heat well) on holiday with me in Spain at the moment. It’s 30 degrees.

She gets one proper walk a day, at around 7am. Ive got an alarm set to get me up to walk her, before it gets too hot not to.

So she’s still getting a walk every day, I’m just making efforts to do so before it gets hot.

I’d be willing to take her out for a quick lap of the block to toilet and get out even in the high heat, just keep it sensible: 10mins round the block she’s fine, I leave her at home for the 2 hour hike up to the castle on the hill I intend to do tomorrow

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OzzyinKernow@reddit

Early & late is alright. I’m lucky in that I live by some woods with a stream running half a mile down to the sea. The dogs love jumping in the stream and sea no matter what the weather’s doing! The Lab has gone through ice to get wet in the past

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Mariashax@reddit

Basically if this weather keeps up until autumn, she will only be getting walks very very early in the morning or at about 9/10 pm if it’s cool enough. It’s heatwaves like this that make me thankful we have a garden and a hosepipe to keep her cool.

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Dijstraanon@reddit

Ours is in the shade in the house until it gets below 25. Then it’s just a comfort walk as she won’t toilet properly at home. Not good for them and in nature they would be hunkered up over day time and out at night.

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Ungreatfulgrape@reddit

I saw someone share an app earlier called https://goodtowalk.co.uk/ which is super useful! It tells you if it is safe to walk and if not, then when the next safe window is.

Takes the guesswork out of knowing what temp is safe. Obviously, you have to use your own initiative too but I'll definitely be using this!

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djobouti_phat@reddit

Our rule for our dogs was 30°, give or take, though shorter walks than they were at 25°. They were very fit dogs with long snouts and good lungs. If I’d had a fatty or a snub-nosed dog, I’d have had much different rules.

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Atlantean_Raccoon@reddit

Ultimately you are asking a "how long is a piece of string?" question. You need to know your dog, how fit is the dog? honestly, how fat is the dog? You need to be able to recognise the difference between discomfort and comfort in your dog to be able to make the decision of what is best for them. If your dog is going to struggle in the heat then rethink your normal route, maybe walk them a little less, take them on a shadier route or take them out in the evening when it cools.

Dogs, like kids, can overdo it in the heat so you need to keep an eye on them, some breeds will also be more vulnerable to damage to their skin from sunlight and should be kept out of the sun and as cool as possible. Older dogs are going to be more vulnerable to the heat, especially those older dogs who don't realise they are old. You just need to be observant and sensible.

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StoveHound@reddit

Dog behaviourist here who occasionally does walks (for dogs other than my own ) here. I tell people once it gets past 23 I'm going to be taking it easy with their dogs, especially larger breeds (for example a Malamute who I walk wouldn't do more than 10 mins before refusing to do anymore in today's heat).

With my own it depends on where we are. Plenty of shaded areas? I tend to be a bit more lax if we can sit in the shade a bit. If it's scorching and there's no cover anywhere I tend to err on the side of caution. Humidity can play a role too.

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Csasquatch92@reddit

Walk before 8am or after 8pm would be my advice. Take lots of water and plan for some shaded stops if necessary.

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Its_Technophobe@reddit

The husband always says "your dog won't die if you don't take it a walk, but it will if you do it in weather that's too hot.." 20 degrees and above can be dangerous depending in your type of dog, rule of thumb is put your hand on the tarmac if it burns your hand after 7 seconds it'll burn their paws (I've got a 11.5 stone human sized mastiff type dog.. we take it carefully)

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RoutineCloud5993@reddit

I only do lunchtime walks in winter. Summer is all about the evening walks

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SoberShiv@reddit

My dogs were able to go out when it was hot. They used to sunbathe on the patio until they were roasting. Just use your common sense - if it looks too hot for them - they look uncomfortable, they’re panting excessively and the pavement is scorching hot - Don’t take them out! Some dogs can tolerate very little heat, others are fine, otherwise dogs wouldn’t be able to survive in countries that are hot all year round.

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Nomoreorangecarrots@reddit

Ok yes sometimes it gets too hot, but I think it’s more of a danger in other… hotter places than here which also have higher humidity.

But you can buy booties for the dog or stay off the pavement. You can poor water down the spine and rub it into the fur. A dog will let you know if it’s too hot 9 times out of 10. They will pick a tree and sit under it.

I traveled far and wide with my dog to all sorts of environments. When I lived in a hot country we still went out. Grass rarely gets too hot if you keep them cool with cold water.

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Sea-Still5427@reddit

For a long walk, not over 22-23 degrees. Same applies to myself. In hotter weather I go for woods and forest with a good canopy to shade us, and water to cool off in.

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ZombieGash@reddit

I won’t walk mine through the day. Take them out around 10am before it gets warm. I always feel the pavement with my bare foot, I’ve seen what it can do to their paws. That’s before anything like heatstroke. Then I walk them around 10 at night. Those people you are seeing out with their dogs are idiots!

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thefooleryoftom@reddit

Probably about 20-22° for my old greyhound.

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YangKipperbang@reddit

I’m paranoid about this. I got up an hour and a half earlier today and saw all the other dog owners in my neighbourhood had done the same. So, parked the paranoia & decided it just made sense to avoid the risk if at all possible.

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TheWholeMoon@reddit

Moving to the UK with my dog in a few months, so I’m finding this thread fascinating. I had no idea I’d be considered a cruel animal abuser for walking my dog in what feels to me like a pleasant spring day. Saving the chart someone shared and giving it some thought.

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Sleepybeez@reddit

I saw a woman carrying her dog today and I'm glad she was because the pavement after midday must have been awful.

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Superb-Avocado-8131@reddit

I won't go over 20ºc

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bettsdude@reddit

We dont stop walking them. We just wake up silly early like 5am to walk them.

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BeanOnAJourney@reddit

My current dog really doesn't like the heat, 24⁰c in the shade is the limit for him. I only walk him early morning and evening anyway, but if it's still too hot in the evening we wait until it's cooled down and then just go for a short, slow stroll around the woods down the road, where it's shady and always nice and cool. During extreme heatwaves I don't walk him at all and instead just let him go to the toilet in the garden where it's shady.

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hydrora31@reddit

I walk my cat regualrly, the answer to this for me is when he doesnt want to. He choses when to walk, when to go home, when he gets a drink, and if he wants to go in my carrier instead of walking himself.

Listen to your animal and make sure everything is their decision and there is a backup so they are never pushed harder than they want to go

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buttnuggetmaster@reddit

People who walk their dogs in this weather are dickheads, period.

I walk him at 8pm+ when it's like this, it's usually fine by then.

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Mammoth-Passion-413@reddit

I have a neighbour who's just taken thir puppy out for a walk - it's 26 here. I hope it chews up all her shit for being said dickhead

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ThrivingforFailure@reddit

Everyone this is raised. As long as you stick to grass and shaded areas it’s fine! What do you think people do in warmer countries? Like in other European countries it gets 30c+ for several months in the summer and sunlight is from 6am until 10pm. You need to take your dog for a walk. And what about those living in apartments?

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DreamsComeTrue1994@reddit

Mediterranean countries have 40+ easily for July and August at the peak in early afternoon and there are days where the temperature hovers around 30 overnight. What do you think happens to these dogs?

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mikey1290@reddit

They are acclimatized to it, when we have random hot days over here our dogs aren't acclimatized to it, thus heat stroke.

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Mammoth-Passion-413@reddit

Well most get eaten - others get eaten and in spain and other places they get put out on the street

And then eaten

Next.

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Grimdotdotdot@reddit

all ded

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PsychologicalDish430@reddit

Jesus, how thick .

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Mammoth-Passion-413@reddit

As mince mate, as mince.

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buttnuggetmaster@reddit

A puppy! Some people are unbelievably irresponsible.

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jarvi123@reddit

I dunno man, I worked on quite a few farms in Australia and the Kelpies(Ozzy sheep dogs) could chase sheep all day long in 40° plus heat with 0 issues. Obviously they are kept well hydrated and always have the option to go in the shade or a air conditioned vehicle, but very rarely did. So I guess it depends on the breed...

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crooked_magpie@reddit

I think this also depends on what the dogs are used to. Same with people. My sister in law lives in Aus and it’s often late 30s/40 where she is and has two hairy dogs long haired dogs. You have dogs in the UK who are used to much colder temps you’d cook them. Think partly to do with acclimatising, but breed and fur etc does also make a difference.

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jarvi123@reddit

Very true, I used to be a pool technician in far North Queensland and during the hottest summer days (40+ 80+ humidity) there would be thick coated border colllies lounging around in the sun haha. You are right petting them would burn your hand lol, although they did very much appreciate having a play with the hose. Damn I forgot how good I had it, I got paid to play with multiple dogs per day 😂

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black_tounged@reddit

Absolutely depends on the breed. I lived in the Valencia region of Spain for 8 years with my partner and we had a big 55kg livestock guardian dog called Chewie with black hair. He would quite happily sit in the garden sunning himself in 38 degree weather for hours at a time and would have no issues running around the perimeter barking and "wooing" at anyone and anything that came near. If you touched his fur it would feel like it was burning you. The inside temperature would easily be 28 degrees or more in Summer (no AC in an old Finka house) and he never once had heatstroke. In the winter he would be laid as close as possible to the wood burner as well, some dogs like it hot.

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Greigebananas@reddit

I think it's that+ acclimating+ owners knowledge. Same for posts about the weather being too cold. Dogs live in arctic places, even short haired ones. I had to potty train my puppy in -11.

You just have to use common sense otherwise there would be like one month of the year with ideal temperatures.

It definitely is annoying if someone never walks their dogs in bad weather and then insists on dragging it out when the weather hits 25c. Also bad for acclimating it.

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buttnuggetmaster@reddit

Yeah breeds do matter fair point.

Most people i see doing it are walking their staffy or other english breed, that look on the verge of collapse. Those are the ones who annoy me.

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TanjoCards@reddit

On tarmac?

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bluehobbs@reddit

Seriously? My dog is begging to go for a walk and a swim. He loves this weather. You do realise not all dogs are the same right? Why make such blanket statements

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supah0t@reddit

our dog refuses to wee in the garden so if we dont whizz him round the block he will hold it in until he gets the chance

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Economy-Lab867@reddit

Mines the same! i always feel like people will judge me for it but needs must

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Formal-Proposal7850@reddit

I had a double-coated 60lbs dog in Canada where it can get up to 40 degrees in summer, and is regularly 30.

We lived in a flat so we had no choice. We just changed the frequency, timing and duration.

One of us would wake up early and take her for a proper 30 minute walk, 6-7am.

Then she would get 4 x 5 min walks through the day (he wfh) just to relieve herself.

Then another proper walk about 10pm.

On days when it was roasting even very early and late, we would reduce the walk down to 5 mins. But then we would up the inside stimulation. Brain games, hide and seek, intelligence toys etc.

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Admirable_Mud_616@reddit

Probably 25? 3yo light haired dog with an athletic build & always hand stripped just before summer. We're probably a bit less cautious than most but we typically walk her in the woods, or near bodies of water where she'll swim to cool down, it's so dependent on the kind of dog and environment they're walked in

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Familiar9709@reddit

Depends on the breed. But what about very hot countries then? They don't have dogs? Brazil, India, etc? What the dog really needs is water

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RollingDany@reddit

If you can avoid pavement and have access to get to a river or a stream so they can have a dip that will keep them cool on a hot day, I don’t have any concerns walking my dog in basically any temperature because it’s all on grass and she loves water so will just go sit in the river if she’s too warm.

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Lolabird2112@reddit

Depends on the dog and where you’re walking. I’m an ex dog walker, and 27° isn’t necessarily too hot. I plan my route under trees, bring several litres of water, no ball chasing, monitor their activity levels and stay near some form of water. Pug faced, old, obese, thick coated, puppy etc? Different story.

When it’s hitting 30 it becomes a different story, but they can still walk, even if you shorten it drastically, keep on lead and do more sniff and treat enrichment stuff while keeping a slow pace and taking breaks.

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IguanaDog@reddit

I have Frenchies. We aren’t going anywhere except my pond!!

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Defiant_Attempt1469@reddit

Never over 20°

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PieSpirited2247@reddit

I take big lad for a walk before 9.00 am & somewhere with plenty of shade like the park or on the beach so he can go in the water. He's a mountsin breed so doesn't do heat. He's happiest when its sideways rain & about 2°c.

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decentlyfair@reddit

Mine is Romanian sheepdog and the colder and frostier the better for her.

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PieSpirited2247@reddit

There's a bocovina near me, he's a nice looking dog but unfortunately doesn't like other dogs.

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decentlyfair@reddit

Mine is a Mioritic and loves most other dogs, people not so much. She has a strong guarding instinct, thinks I am one of her sheep and thinks everyone is going to hurt me and acts accordingly. As for the boat we live on nobody is allowed through the door, even our neighbour whom she adores.

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PieSpirited2247@reddit

That's the one that looks like a big bearded collie?

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decentlyfair@reddit

PieSpirited2247@reddit

She looks a real beauty bless her. My lad is very gentle & tolerant, a big doofus.

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decentlyfair@reddit

Awwwwwwww look at him.

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_SuspiciousTurnip@reddit

Use the tool http://goodtowalk.co.uk - it will let you know exactly if it's too hot! :)

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jimmy011087@reddit

If he can, keep him in until later and do the walk then. If that’s the window, just a short one round the block or a quick let off the lead down the field maybe. Ideally if there’s a river with clean water then go there.

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spaceshipcommander@reddit

Depends what dog you've got. Basically never for mine. I'll give up long before he does. I just don't work him because his work drive is so high he would run until he collapsed.

If you've got something particularly inbred with a squashed face then they are basically on the verge of collapse most of the time anyway so I wouldn't be walking them in 27 degree weather.

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that-zoe-girl@reddit

Yep I have a collie retriever cross. He’s 11 but is super energetic- we take him short walks and stick to shade and wooded areas (plus carrying water for him) when it’s hot out but if we didn’t he would get way more hot freaking out at home

It’s just about having common sense with your dog and their own limits. I get super annoyed sometimes with the narrative that walking your dog at all above like 20 degrees is abusing the dog cause energetic dogs need that stimulation even when it’s hot out. If I had a different breed or an unhealthy dog it would definitely be a different story

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spaceshipcommander@reddit

Some people just don't appreciate how amazing dogs are. I will often walk 10 miles and my lab will run the entire way. Almost none stop for 3 to 4 hours. I wouldn't be surprised if he's running 25 or 30 miles. One danger with fit dogs is hypoglycaemia because they carry so little fat. I have a jar of honey in my car when I'm shooting and I'll tend to give him a digestive biscuit with some honey on it when he starts to get tired. When I'm working he gets walked at lunch by a dog walker for 2 hours and then at least an hour by me at night. If he's absolutely knackered he will have an hour on his bed then he's back up and awake like brand new.

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Careful_Adeptness799@reddit

Well ours is a rescue from Greece he doesn’t know what all the fuss is about. But longer walks morning and evening he has a garden to bask in the sun during the day.

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withnailstail123@reddit

Every dog is different. My 4 year old cocker spaniel is not good in the heat, he gets exhausted very quickly. Thankfully we have a dog flap and a big garden he can chill and play in.

My Jack Russell on the other hand would jump into boiling hot cars to take naps, he’d seek out baking concrete and lie so close to the wood burner you couldn’t touch his fur. Made it to the grand age of 17.

Heat exhaustion can happen very quickly, I personally won’t be pushing a walk until it cools down next week.

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Competitive-Food-799@reddit

When it starts pushing past 22-25C, we tend to move our walks to early mornings or late evenings. The great thing about the UK in the summer is that the light sticks around until well after 8pm, making it easy to get out to parks after temperatures have cooled. Even still, we try to avoid pavement, as much as possible, as it can retain heat for quite a while.

If we have to go out in the heat of the day, we stick to shade, bring plenty of water, and plan for lots of stops in cool places. Also making exposure as limited as possible. When things get extra toasty, we have a cooling bandana that we can pop on our pup, as well as dog-friendly sun cream (however, since this can still affect their skin's ability to regulate temperature, we try to avoid this unless absolutely necessary).

As a lot of folks have said, every dog is different. It's up to owners to figure out what works best for theirs. Ours is quite susceptible to heat, so we're very cautious on hot days. Our neighbours, on the other hand, have a blue healer who doesn't seem to notice the heat unless the sky is on fire.

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PingouinFluffy@reddit

We haven't taken ours out today and he is just flopped on the kitchen floor atm.

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decentlyfair@reddit

My dog has a double coat and is very good at finding cool spots except for today and she is lying on the deck of our boat where it is at least 5 degrees hotter than inside. She will ask to go out in the midday heat for a walk and gets ignored. I take her in the morning and early evening when the weather is hot so anything above about 23 degrees. She also has pink skin and white fur so we have to be careful of sunburn. She is quite savvy though when she is off the lead she will keep to the shade if there is any and we try to make sure we go somewhere that has shade in the summer. She has her own doggy tent when we go camping to keep the sun off her but she can still be outside.

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Eastern-Move549@reddit

I always find it funny when people talk about it being too hot in the summer.

Almost every time i have had will spend all day alternating between full sun and a bit of shade all day if given the chance.

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AdOriginal1084@reddit

Today is 25 and thats probably to hot for him hes a very excitable dog and wont stop running once we hit the fields even in this weather thankfully with the weekend coming up i can take him out early but for now i've just left the front door open to the garden with a little paddling pool in the shade for him hes a british bulldog so it kind of reminds me of that fella sitting in the bin full of water, always makes me laugh seeing him in it.

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NinjafoxVCB@reddit

Depends. If it's over 22/24 degrees I'll either walk first thing or last thing. The few times I have taken her for a walk at midday I have planned it so half way there is a river she can have a drink and swim in to cool off. I'm quite lucky being rural and our short walk is a 5 mile loop that half way has a water meadow with a shaded river flowing through it so I'll have a sit down and let her cool off

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Icy_Attention3413@reddit

Pavement temperature is the big thing for me: if it’s too hot to hold your hand on the pavement for about 10 seconds, then it’s definitely too hot for a dog. However: there are plenty of exceptions. If it’s 28° outside, I will happily walk my dog in the woods because they are cool and damp. I will also take him for a walk where the footpath intersects with a freezing cold river, and he can have a swim.

My dog is a Labrador, and he’s quite happy lying outside when it’s really hot. Last year, I used a laser thermometer on his fur and it was 67°C. He was completely nonplussed because he is insulated with a double coat.

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scr1bbl3@reddit

At 24 (degrees), feel the floor!

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Jimbobthon@reddit

I don't even let my cat out in this heat, he's currently sleeping on the sofa

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Prudent_Psychology57@reddit

This seriously depends on many things, dog breed being one of them.
Try taking a Samoyed out in hot weather without people commenting on it... I'm pretty sure my Samoyed can endure temps higher than most other breeds (not just because of the science of pure white fur vs black fur in sunlight, but also their fur! I take off my socks and stick my toes in Solo's fur because he's so cool in the summer).
That said, his feet aren't so protected, so it's not the outside temp as much as the floor temp that I check.
Besides, he let's me know how he feels and honestly, if you aren't sure or feel a little bit timid, maybe don't risk it.

But please, do also check with your vet, not just Reddit.

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Chemical_Painting762@reddit

To be honest, I subscribe more to just using your common sense than solely relying on the weather app. It depends hugely on your dog, the type of exercise they're getting, where they're exercising, and the overall environment.

If your dog is fat, has breathing problems, or wants to run round like an idiot, maybe wait till it cools down. If your dog is fit, healthy and happy just having a plod in the park, then personally I think it's fine to walk them in basically any weather up to the high 20's so long as they're wearing cooling jackets above 20°C. Try and avoid midday sun regardless, it's not exactly good for you or your dog, but 23°C at evening/night is vastly different to 23°C at noon.

Don't be stupid, basically.

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Far_Dentist4880@reddit

I have had saluki lurcher types (long slender faces, enormous tongues) that clearly felt no strain at all in warmer weather: they are desert hunters and can have incredible endurance.

A pug or bulldog which has been bred to be a 'low energy dog' because, basically, it struggles to breath is a completely different matter.

Even dogs of the same rough form can vary hugely: racing greyhounds are high speed, short distance low endurance dogs, vulnerable to overheating because of their enormous overpowered hearts and muscles.

A dog that likes to swim may be quite safe on a beach trip where a dog that hates to get wet might be at risk.

You really have to look at your dog, not 'a dog'.

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greens1117@reddit

So many dumb comments...

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Used-Meaning-1468@reddit

16°c for both my shihtzu and dachshund. They're not the healthiest of pups so I only walk them when it's cool enough.

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PassiveChemistry@reddit

We don't stop - we just make it increasingly early/late to avoid the heat

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Slightly_underated@reddit

I took my pup out yesterday when it was a bit cooler, it turned out it was still a bit warm for him. It took him at least 20mins of panting on a cold floor to cool down. Poor boy. He's not going out today, he's spent the day in the shade of the garden

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ImThatBitchNoodles@reddit

Mine's been out in the garden all day. He comes in for water and rests in the shade until he's ready to play and chase bees again.

I wouldn't take him out for a walk on pavement, but he loves walks on the grass and obligatory areas with plenty of shade. It's not just their paws, they can easily overheat and get heat exhaustion, especially breeds with double coats.

Really pisses me off when people insist on walking their dogs on scorching hot pavement. If you (general you) insist on being out with your dog, at least take them in a foresty area where the air is cooler and the ground is a safe temperature to walk on.

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Exotic-welshy@reddit

We have a 10 year old frenchie (rescued her a few years ago) and she wouldn't be able to tolerate this weather.

If it cools down enough, she'll be walked once the kids are in bed but sometimes its still so warm and muggy she still wouldn't cope.

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alico127@reddit

I stop walks from about 25 degrees upwards. We walk in the morning and/or evening when it’s cooler.

It does depend a lot on the dog / breed. Mine has African ancestry and isn’t phased by hot weather.

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CornerCurrent8382@reddit

Vet here. It’s very dog-dependent. A overweight senior husky is more prone to heatstroke than a young, healthy whippet. I personally don’t walk my dogs when it’s above \~20 degrees unless it’s a 5 minute toilet break, or a trip to the river to swim. The average slim young-middle aged dog will be fine in those weather conditions, but you need to consider factors such as having a thick undercoat, being overweight, being brachycephalic (frenchies, pugs, staffies, chihuahuas, cavaliers, mastiffs etc.), having a dark coloured coat, being old (or very young).

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TwoValuable@reddit

Got to remember as well it's been pretty cold the past few days and this temperature is definitely a warm snap and that's why most of us (dogs and humans) will suffer for the next few days as it was about 10 degrees cooler this time last week.

Shorter walks not in direct sunlight, ideally by somewhere with shade and a breeze. This time of year I like a twilight 6pm walk.

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hovis_mavis@reddit

If it gets hot I generally don’t. I’ll walk the dog down the canal if it’s warm out and take a flask of iced water and a little bowl. The walk is mostly in the shade with the tree cover.

If it’s direct sun my max. for the dog is 20-22.

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AirconGuyUK@reddit

I just do morning and evening walks anyway. I don't change my times, I just make sure there's plenty of shade and ideally some water to splash about in.

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Supergoose5000@reddit

It's 23⁰ you plumb. Walk your dog. Stop making bullshit excuses

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LAcasper@reddit

I just wait until the evening when it's cooler and the sun isn't beating down. If it's still quite warm then dogs stay on the lead and don't get to run around like mad.

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No_Driver_4447@reddit

It's okay, I know people who still make their dogs compete in flyball in 30C!

In all seriousness though, for me it's much more than temperature. It will be about breeze, humidity, shade, time of day, surface and access to water. For example, I wouldn't walk my dog in 25C on tarmac, 1pm, blazing sunshine, but I would consider a slow stroll on a beach in 25C at 7pm with a good breeze and some paddling. But in anything above 20 ish I'd be paying much closer attention to her for any signs of being too hot

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inhindsite@reddit

I dont walk my dog over 23 degrees.

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ben_jamin_h@reddit

I have a black and a brown chihuahua. The brown one absolutely loves the heat, will sit out in the sun all day if we leave the door open. The black one soaks up a lot more hear and so will bask in the shade whenever possible.

If I take them out for a walk in hot weather, I always carry a bottle of water and a bowl. If we are out away from shade, the black one gets a little soak with cold water and she's happy as Larry running about. The brown one hates this, so he just gets a drink.

I wouldn't take them out on tarmac if it's too warm to the touch.

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Karen_Is_ASlur@reddit

We just got back from quite a long walk - it was absolutely fine. I hosed her down before we left and we stuck to the shade as much as possible.

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DinkyPrincess@reddit

If it’s got clear sun above 20 I don’t take them out in that.

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feebsiegee@reddit

I'm extremely lucky that our garden was already walled rather than fenced, because my dogs just don't really get a walk in the summer. We do sometimes go to the beach in the evening, we've yet to take the puppy but our older dog often struggles with recall so we don't stay for long as it feels cruel to have him on the lead the whole time.

Having said that, I have just bought a long line for recall training our puppy, so that will definitely get some use for our older dog at the beach!

If its over 20 degrees celcius, and it's not overcast, I'm not walking my dogs. If it is overcast, I test the pavement for me, and if it's too hot then no walks. To be fair, they don't get walked often anyway because they get plenty of exercise running around the garden like crackheads, but I wouldn't take the risk!

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Goldf_sh4@reddit

Walks by streams, pools or rivers are great for when you start asking this question. Also walks on grass are much cooler than walks on concrete/pavements.

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ForsakenMidnight8061@reddit

I took for a woodland walk this morning before it got too hot, but that will have to do him for today. It’s too hot for a stocky, fluffy little spaniel.

He’s had his sniffy mat instead of an afternoon walk.

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MojoMomma76@reddit

Mine melts once it hits 18 degrees. So quite a lot of the summer, she doesn’t get out loads unless I drive her to the park with a river so she can get soaking wet, which makes it a bit easier for her. We also walk very early in the day. She’s a flatcoated retriever

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Visual_Parsley54321@reddit

I have 2 young spaniels. Today I lead walked them via shady paths to the beach. They love retrieving a ball from the North Sea and there’s always a strong breeze on the beach.

My 13y old beagle stays at home sleeping if it’s under 10C or above 18C

Depends on the dog

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rumblestripper@reddit

Those dog walkers out in those temps are morons.

Your dog won't suffer from the lack of a walk, there are plenty of ways to keep them entertained indoors.

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Alundra828@reddit

Yeah, it's too hot currently.

I wouldn't take him out in this. I'd either take him out early in the morning, or in the evening. And because fuck getting up early I'll be taking him when it cools down in the evening.

My dog will 100% give itself heat stroke running around without even realising it.

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sanehamster@reddit

Our smallish white dog gets gentle walks in shade up to about 25c

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Mr_B_e_a_r@reddit

Feel the pavement and road tarmac temperature if it is hot on your hand don't walk the dog. Park with grass ok but avoid hot pavements and road.

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ZealousidealLab4500@reddit

Simply place the helmet of your penis onto the pavement. If you can hold it there for 5 seconds without so much as a whimper, it's safe to walk your dog. Everyone knows this.

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piskyfi@reddit

I came across this earlier

https://goodtowalk.co.uk

Might be helpful for those unsure. Personally I don’t walk mine when it’s over 20.

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the01li3@reddit

It was 20 last year, but shes getting a little old now, so she doesnt go out much when its hot. Akita, very much not suited for warmer weather, and any cool breeze doesnt really have an effect on her coat.

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IlIIIllIIlIlllII@reddit

It NOT just pavement heat. Your dogs dont sweat good or regulate heat well. Leave them to chill at home when the sun is out. Dont let them get too excited.

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Affectionate_Ad6864@reddit

My dog (bully breeds) doesn’t want to walk in this weather so it doesn’t tend to be an issue for us. We do take him out at 6am and then again about 9pm, mainly because he refuses to poo in our garden (he will wee begrudgingly). But that being said he does the spend lots of the day laying in direct sunlight panting but that’s his own choice, shade is available in the garden which he ignores and the back door is open for him to come inside at any point!

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herwiththepurplehair@reddit

Lucky enough to have a field across the road where he can go to toilet and stretch his legs, we don’t push it when it’s very hot though

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UnderstandingFar6589@reddit

Depends on the dog and the location. Mine are young, working breeds, and fit and healthy. I walk them in the woods in the shade anyway so I’ve never not walked them. If the patio was too hot for me barefoot I’d not take them out though.

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stripe888@reddit

My house backs onto the woods which is much cooler and shaded, I stick to it when it's to hot.

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EdgeOk2154@reddit

I take my dog out on hot days . His paws doesn’t the ground until he is on grass . I take plenty of fluids to for him . But on really hot days I wait until until early morning before the sun comes up or dusk when it cools down

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eelam_garek@reddit

Well have you tried talking to him about it?

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schnityzy393@reddit

Early morning or late evening walks when it's really hot.

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baalroo@reddit

Isn't 27° celsius just 80° fahrenheit? That seems pretty mild to me.

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YorkshireMary@reddit

I touch the pavement to see if it's too hot for his pads.

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misicaly@reddit

Depends where you are taking them surely? If it's hot I drive mine to the bottom of a valley, in the woods and there's a stream at the bottom. The temperature is not the same as being out in an open field with no shade.

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Accurate-Ad9790@reddit

Just take them out around 9 pm.

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bladefiddler@reddit

You don't need a thermometer & specific number. Act conservatively and pay attention to your dog.

Take them early/late in the day and try to avoid noon, WATCH them for panting etc indicating how hot they are. Keep them on the lead, don't have them sprinting to fetch a ball or let them run around crazy with other dogs etc - then you can gauge if you need to turn around for a slow walk back or take a rest in the shade etc.

If you're that cautious, take a water bottle with you. A dousing & little drink should easily cover any minor misjudgement.

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Majestic_Swordfish83@reddit

Depends on the dog, in general, puppies, oldies and brachycephaly breeds my cut off is 18⁰ c. For the rest, my cut off temp is about 25⁰ with the proviso that I'm wetting their coats down before we leave the house, and walks are utility ( go pee, go poop, go home.)

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Pixiebel81@reddit

I have chow chows, 17 is usually where I draw the line

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-mmmusic-@reddit

depends on the amount of clouds/shade.

if it's a cloudy, breezy day, i'd go up to 24-25⁰, for a very short walk, with water offered regularly. only in mornings and evenings. never during the day.

if it's sunny, 20-22⁰, short walk, stay in the shade, never in the daytime.

i have a shih tzu, she does have a slightly longer snout than breed standard, but she still struggles. she's also a disabled senior, so doesn't need much walking anyway!! she gets fun treats and toys inside, and chills in my air conditioned bedroom :)

she loooves frozen kongs and other frozen treats on hot days, like today, and it keeps her busy and her mind engaged, trying to lick it all out.

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Kwayzar9111@reddit

over 20c or so they aint going for a walk - they can play in the garden with shade, cool grass and a paddling pool. dogs dont sweat .

a fan still helps for when it gets really warm indoors.

however they work differently for them than they do for humans

. While a fan will not drop a dog's body temperature as significantly as a sweating human, it helps promote convective cooling through their ears and displaces warm air trapped in their fur

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c_monies_@reddit

This sounds thick as shit, but if I think it may be too hot I'll whack a jumper on.

If I'm then roasting then I know it's too hot for my dog before I take him out.

If he's insistent on going out I'll clip him on the lead and head out for likea minutes sniff so he feels likes been out without going out propey

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SoggyWotsits@reddit

Dogs are all different. I reckon my old dog with his big nostrils and white coat could tolerate being in Sahara desert. Obviously I used common sense, but he didn’t excessively pant or drool in very warm weather.

My current dog, a flat faced rescue with a dark coat is a different story completely. When it’s hot, he has the choice of being indoors where it’s cooler, or going outside where he always has a shallow paddling pool. He’s in an out of the paddling pool all the time in the summer, plonking himself in the water for a cool down before coming back indoors or sitting outside in the shade.

I do take him out when it’s hot, but only somewhere like woodland with plenty of shade and a river. Definitely not on tarmac or places with no shade or water.

You need to judge it on how each dog copes with the heat, whether they’re panting excessively or drooling. At which point they’re already too hot.

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Objective_Result2530@reddit

We max out at 22 degrees - so on days like today I'm up and out at 7am, and then again around dusk. Back in that super hot summer in 2022 there was a couple of nights it never got below 23 so he didn't get walked. We gave him things like licky matts on those days so he got some kind of stimulation.

I don't mind at the start of the hot spell, but 10 days in when the cumulative heats means being out by 5am and I'll have lost my sense of humour a bit.

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Lenniel@reddit

Honestly I have a dog that won’t toilet in my garden so I have to take him to the field, it’s 20 metres from my house and I walk him until he toilets.

However I try to take him before it gets too hot and then only if he shows signs of being desperate.

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Shmeckless@reddit

I've got a very short and thin haired whippet and even with her I'm cautious. I'm pretty comfortable with taking her out in anything up to 25 degrees though but for other dogs it's a lot less due to fur and breed differences.

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freckledotter@reddit

Low 20s, even in the woods in the shade but he's a big guy and doesn't like the heat.

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Mighty-Wings@reddit

During heatwaves, mine will accept the routine of having a harness put on, walked 3 houses down and back again.

Is it ideal, no, will be work himself up more thinking we have forgotten his evening walk, yes.

Has he somehow forgotten the hour long walk we did this morning, absolutely.

If your dog will accept a later walk/doesn't seem bothered entertain their mind at home, much safer and fun as well.

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Haresmoors@reddit

I do shorter walks between 20/25 depending on how the dogs handle the heat. Or I take omthem out early. I dont walk above 25 degrees even with a breeze!

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FrostyAd9064@reddit

I have a healthy 5 yr old dog with no breathing issues so I will still walk (sticking mainly to shade) to about 21-22 degrees ish but slow, sniffy walk, sticking to shaded side of the road and I have water and collapsible bowl with me.

Anything above that and I stick to walks in the morning and 6pm onwards once it’s cooled down.

That being said I had a woman give me a bollocking for walking my dog in the heat last year but we’d literally stepped out of an air conditioned car for her to have a maximum 5 min wander to pee before getting back in the car for the rest of the journey so it’s important to bear in mind a 10 second snapshot of someone walking their dog is not the full picture!

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Worldly_Wafer_6635@reddit

If unsure, you are doing the right thing.

However, there is nuance, i.e if there is a strong enough cool wind, it is okay.

It's really easy to tell if your dog is getting too hot, but people are idiots, though.

I have a brown dog, so I never walk her midday if the sun is shining.

The problem with heat stroke is its unpredictable and can be fatal very suddenly. Just because your dog was fine one time doesn't mean it will be fine every time. Its just too dangerous to mess about with.

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Danimalomorph@reddit

"It's really easy to tell if your dog is getting too hot, but people are idiots, though."

"The problem with heat stroke is its unpredictable and can be fatal very suddenly. Just because your dog was fine one time doesn't mean it will be fine every time. Its just too dangerous to mess about with."

Nice one.

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Mr_Bumcrest@reddit

My dog started panting going out in the garden at lunchtime, so no walk for her this evening

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junkyardfloozy@reddit

In summer when peak temps are 25+, I just walk early when we're still at pretty much nighttime temperatures. It's just easier and we're all comfortable and safe.

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BrutalOnTheKnees@reddit

I wouldn't judge it on the weather forecast, I'd judge it on the route we were taking (we live in a forest so can find plenty of cool shaded walks) and whether the pavement felt hot on the back of my hand.

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catasha7@reddit

Can I ask a question - what happens in places where its always a higher temp?

Stray dogs in Greece, Indonesia etc?

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Everyones_Dead_Dave@reddit

There's dogs in the hottest parts of the world carrying on like normal. Mine can survive a plod around on the field for half an hour without exploding. People need to get a grip

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Danimalomorph@reddit

Nowt wrong with be careful with your loved ones. Nowt wrong with asking advice.

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junkyardfloozy@reddit

At about 20 I'm in the shade. Anything beyond that I'm keeping them in and walking early morning or evening.

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AffectionateFig4413@reddit

Do people think a spray of water before and/or during the walk is effective? I always take a water bottle and we're in and out of the trees, so she always seems ok, but I'll do anything to care for her

F2 cockapoo, 5, short coat just had a groom

Thanks

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LividBiscoff@reddit

I take them out crack of dawn or in the evening when it’s somewhat cooler

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HotelPuzzleheaded654@reddit

I walk my dog in the woods in the morning if it’s really hot.

Can’t understand people who take their dog out at midday in the heat.

Also notice far more dogs when it’s a baking hot day so it feels like some see it as an occasion to take their dog out.

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PsychologicalDish430@reddit

For the stupid bastards who walk their dogs in the heat don't. My spaniel will happily run like fuck in any weather, but suddenly it can overcome them. Get up early and take them and wait until sunset at least for walking. Any temp around 21c or above needs assessing.

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Dizzy_Charcoal@reddit

it depends on your dog. if yours is desperate to go out even in the heat, a very short walk could be apropriate. i won't be taking my dog out today at all (he's old). luckily he will tell me if he does or doesn't want to go somewhere so i generally follow his lead - unlike a pervious dog i has who was so very, very, stupid. he begged to go out in blazing sunshine one day and ended up having a seizure but still wanted to go out again

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MrPogoUK@reddit

Mine knows when it’s walk time and will whine incessantly until taken out, but luckily it seems anything that involves him going in and out the front door on the lead counts as a walk, so happy even just going as far as the end of the drive!

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shebasmum49@reddit

Screenshots from google

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shebasmum49@reddit

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shebasmum49@reddit

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Obvious-Maximum-8999@reddit

I used to have a springer, he'd come everywhere with us. We would monitor him when it was really hot, days at the beach or river instead of long field walks. We'd also take more water if we were hiking.

I now have a Frenchie, he doesn't leave the house if it's more than 15c and sunny.

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Neddlings55@reddit

I dont stop walking, i simply change the time.

23-34 with ample shade is the max ill walk mine, and even then if its really humid im not taking him. Air temperature matters.

I prefer to just get up early and get out and back before 9am.

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MuayJudo@reddit

23 to 34 is a huge range. What happens after 34?

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Unhappy_Spray_7127@reddit

Yeah 34 is WAY too high.

Anything above 23 I think you should start making changes to routine. But anything above maybe 27 I would say is quite dangerous. 30+ is insane.

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Neddlings55@reddit

Its clearly a typo.

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Unhappy_Spray_7127@reddit

Not too clear if at least 2 people misunderstood 🤷

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Neddlings55@reddit

I cant help it if multiple people are stupid.

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crooked_magpie@reddit

This kinda comment needs more praise. This and your previous comment are absolutely true.

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Unhappy_Spray_7127@reddit

Ah yes, the old "I'm smart and it's everyone else who's stupid" stance. Of course you would, and completely as expected when I wrote that reply.

On the subject of stupid - there were multiple grammatical errors in your original comment, so it's not a crazy assumption to make that you were, in fact, stupid.

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Neddlings55@reddit

Good. I make zero effort with typing.

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MuayJudo@reddit

I can't help it if people struggle to read sarcasm.

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Neddlings55@reddit

I didnt reply to you. Your comment was obvious.

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Seagull977@reddit

I think they meant 24.

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Neddlings55@reddit

lol, 23-24.

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mynameisollie@reddit

Spontaneous combustion.

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georgisaurusrekt@reddit

If it's above 21 I make sure he doesn't exert himself too much and keep the walk short, but if it's above 25 I won't go out at all. I'm fotunate to live right next door to a wooded area so there's ample shade. It'll vary a lot by breed though, larger breeds shouldn't really be walked at all above 20C.

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faroffland@reddit

Yeah those temps are my rule of thumb too but for a small to medium-sized terrier.

Just been to the co-op and saw two frenchies tied up in direct sun literally gasping for breath, I mean that’s what they’re like at the best of times lol but these dogs were seriously sounding like they were getting heat stroke poor things. Dogs cannot sweat across their body like humans can so panting is one of the only ways they can cool down, and dogs that struggle to breath well will find temperature regulation extremely difficult. So if you choose to have a flat-faced breed be very aware and careful about hot weather, you’re just asking for trouble walking them and leaving them exposed to sun in temps like this.

Also general advice for anyone whose dog appears to be struggling or you suspect has heat stroke as it comes on quick - obviously call your vet immediately but also do NOT cover them with any kind of wet material e.g. a wet towel. You might think you’re helping cool them down but this actually traps in heat and is one of the worst things you can do. Move the dog into shade, wet them with cool (not freezing cold) water but do not cover them, and get a breeze going with opening a window or even a gentle fan.

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evenstevens280@reddit

It's not been hot enough for long enough for the pavements to retain a lot of heat so it's actually fine right now, even if the air temperature is quite warm

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Silver-Climate7885@reddit

Yeah I've just had a feel of the paving flags that have been in the sun all day and they're still freezing cold. I still wouldn't walk mine though, it's still quite warm, I'd rather wait until the suns gone down that potentially risk it

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JoelRosquete@reddit

UK is simply never too hot for a dog to skip their daily walks. There are dogs in much more hotter countries with no issues. Owners just need to be conscious and do not force them to run unnecessarily, ensure there’s shade parts for the walk, avoid extra hot surfaces in favour of natural sand, gravel paths and carry fresh water and refreshing treats like frozen fruit instead of dry hard to chew stuff. Is just common sense really, but walking and daily exercise is a must for most dogs.

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crooked_magpie@reddit

It’s too hot at the moment. And it’s saying 27c here. I walk mine in the evening when it’s like this.

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stevielfc76@reddit

I’ve got a rescue French Bulldog, if there is a shadow to be cast she stays in!

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uncleanwhispers@reddit

Depends on the dog tbh. A saluki can stand far more heat than a husky, for example. However, my very large springer will go out up to about 24c. Anything above that, I give a miss. We don’t walk on pavements (just grass) so that’s not a factor. Above 20c I will choose more shady walks, or walks with some shade available in parts. And obviously, I watch him carefully in the heat and am prepared to cut a walk short if I think he’s too warm.

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SkullFaceMermaid@reddit

I live in an apartment with a dog who refuses to toilet indoors, even on a puppy pad. I don’t have a garden to let him out in for a quick pee so even when it’s like 30° I have to take him outside.

He really struggles in the heat and will very quickly take himself home if it’s too hot. I literally carry him to the grass, which is in the shade, let him do a quick wee and then carry him straight back inside to the air con to cool back down.

I wouldn’t attempt to take him for an actual walk if it was over 22-23° and even then it’d only be a very short walk round the block.

I tend to get up early in the summer to take him for a decent walk while it’s still cool

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Ok_Roll_1236@reddit

I take mine in the evenings when it’s hot, if I’m roasting in shorts, I wait. That’s how I kind of judge it. If we get to the end of the street and she’s panting, I’ll turn round. Always do the hand on the pavement test as well

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Ulfgeirr88@reddit

My boys are husky x malamute and really don't do well in the heat, one of them has a very thick coat so I will walk them late when it's below 20°c

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IHateTheLetter-C-@reddit

I didn't take my dog out at 10 this morning when it was 23. It'd probably be alright at that point but I knew by the time we got home at 11-11:30, it'd be too hot, and sure enough it was 25-26. She'll be going out at 6 at the earliest, when at the very least the sun won't be so strong.

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ambiguousboner@reddit

Personally I don’t take mine out if it’s over 24/25, extended periods over 20

She’s pretty old and has thick curly hair though so ymmv

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Sixforsilver7for@reddit

Anything under 21 and I think it's fine for my dog to have his normal walk (which isn't that long because he's a little guy) up to 24 I'll take him for a short walk at his normal afternoon time and then take him out again later at dusk. If it's been crazy hot all day I might carry him to the park to avoid the pavement but the pavement isn't my main concern.

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cxttagefairee@reddit

If it’s going to be around 22°c I’ll walk my dogs as normal, but may just stick to woodlands so it’s shaded. Anything over then I’ll get up earlier and walk them in the early morning (between 7-9am) and then again if it cools down in the evening but again sticking to more shaded areas. I always no matter the temperature in spring and summer will always bring a travel water bowl for them to have a drink mid walk and then straight home to have a nap with their cooling bandanas on and the fan

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professorbubbleworks@reddit

I work for an animal charity, and the amount of dogs that come in with heatstroke is insane. We’ve had flat faced breeds in not warmer than 15 degree heat, suffer with heatstroke and nearly die. In heat like this, it’s too dangerous to take them for a walk. The rule of thumb is, if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws. Keep them engaged with toys inside, or in the garden for short periods.

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i_heart_punk@reddit

I have a black & tan Lhasa Apso, I've noticed he absolutely loves when its colder and just refuses to be out much when its over 22°c. I always wondered if its because the breed is from Tibet. He loves snow. Hes not so keen on wind. Doesn't mind the rain.

He doesn't have the long coat, he gets a teddy bear cut and I get his belly cut a bit shorter but thats mostly cause he has wee legs and things stick to his belly fur when hes out.

This weekend he won't be in the garden very long during the day and he'll probably go for a wee walk in the later evening, thankfully hes a lazy shite who doesn't even care about walkies all that much. He absolutely will not be left in the car even for a second this weekend. I have appointments so he'll be dogsat by his nana.

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Grezmo@reddit

Luckily the local facebook page will let you know. /s

I appreciate some owners are ignorant but, believe it or not, many owners are aware of appropriateness and their dogs tolerance which is different across breeds and individuals.

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Miserable-Ad7327@reddit

My wippet absolutely loves sun. She will lay down in the kitchen where the sun shines and not move at all, no matter how hot it gets. There's always water and cooler rooms so if she gets too hot, she will move to a different room and this is how I know it's too hot for her.

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JoeDaStudd@reddit

If it's hot then it's either early morning or late evening walks.

If it's in the evening then check the temperature of the pavement/road with your hand first. The darker surfaces in particular retain the heat more and you won't want burnt/blistered paws.

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box_frenzy@reddit

No way I’m taking my girl out in this. First thing in the morning or last thing in the evening.

She currently has a damp dogerchief round her neck and some puzzle toys to keep her occupied but she’s too knackered to bother with them right now.

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RagingFuckNuggets@reddit

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stitchard@reddit

This seems very simplistic. How do dogs survive in hot countries?

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atomic_mermaid@reddit

They're acclimatised to the higher temperatures.

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typhoon959@reddit

Around 30 degrees i get cautious. The advice about checking pavements with your hand is good, but even atmospheric heat can lead to heatstroke. I'm a little less cautious with my dog because she's young, has a short haired coat and is fairly low energy anyway, so less likely to belt around and overheat.

Regardless I'll take her to somewhere shady like the woods or somewhere with a lot of water. If she starts panting a lot when stationary I take that as a sign to head back.

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AneeMel@reddit

Not walked any of mine yet..just chilled on and off in the garden. Pegged out my washing and no way was i walking my dogs...evening walk tonight .

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CptCaramack@reddit

And here I am at the office on a friday like a fking idiot when i could be chilling in the garden with the dog

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Asleep-Software-4160@reddit

If he doesn't feel like it we don't go out. He is pretty lazy though.

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Silver-Climate7885@reddit

I consider this week to be too hot in the day time. This week we will only be doing evening walks, maybe around 9pm, once it's cooled down or very early morning walks about 5am if I can get up that early.

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HelloReddit54321@reddit

100c

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FitSolution2882@reddit

They dont get walked in the daytime if it's much above 20C.

They have a garden they can use and get walked 6am ish or and 9/10pm ish.

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R_110@reddit

Reminds me why I hate people owning Huskies in this country. It gets way too hot for them. Not to mention the stimulation they require.

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Morganx27@reddit

If it's high 20s/Early 30s I'll think twice, but if he needs to go, he needs to go. Luckily my garden is quite shaded, so it's really great for being able to take him when it's hot out.

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death-in-tipton@reddit

Mine are staying in under the fans today, when the suns off the garden they will be let out.

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toonlass91@reddit

I would not walk my 2 in this. But mine walk early morning and evening when it’s cooler so hopefully will be ok. They will have their cooling mats out as well at the minute

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PetersMapProject@reddit

Depends on the dog to a significant extent.

You should have a lower threshold for old, brachycephalic or thick coated breeds.

But for all dogs, put your hand flat on the pavement to test that temperature.

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According_Union@reddit

I just give my dog yak chews or frozen things to work away at in that heat and wait until late evening for the walk, very early morning when we get up. They won't suffer one less walk when it's too hot.

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adzpower@reddit

I'd say anything over 22'c for me. Feel the ground, if the ground is hot then it will burn their pads. People who walk their dogs in higher temperatures are trying to kill their own pets.

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SlightlyIncandescent@reddit

I'm less cautious than most. If we're just walking and they have access to shade and water and stuff I've done an all day hike in 25c and my dog seemed perfectly comfortable.

I think even in 30+ I'd just wrap them in a bandana soaked in ice cold water and do a less physically active training session or something.

You can tell when your dog is comfortable if they slow down and are panting much more than usual, at which point get them a cold drink and somewhere cool

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bahumat42@reddit

As soon as it gets about 23-24 it becomes only early morning/late night walks.

It helps that the only dog I ever look after lives in a home with a big shady garden.

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quartersessions@reddit

Never really gets so hot here I wouldn't - maybe avoid the middle of the day.

I'll adapt where I go, sure. There's plenty of nice woodland walks through a valley beside a river or stream, or down to the beach or something, where you don't have to worry about it.

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TJayK96@reddit

I have a chunky black lab, even 13 degrees and sun and she feels hot to touch. Over 16 degrees and sun I won’t take her out.

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ClericalRogue@reddit

Over 25 is a no for mine. I still walk her in the evenings if its cooled down enough though.

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sweatypissflap@reddit

anything above 30 i probably wouldnt. its only been warm for a couple of days, its not that hot.

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DiscoDoberman@reddit

Anything over 20 and we're chilling in the garden, walk will happen after it's dark.

If he's bouncing, take him for a short walk and watch the temperature of the pavement - walk on the grass as much as possible and no running about.

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Historical_Project86@reddit

I had 2 dogs, now down to 1. The dog we lost had congestive heart failure, so 20 would have been too hot for him. 27 is way too much even for the 5yo dog we have now. I think I would stop at 22 or 23, but depends on the breeze as well. I always feel the pavement with my hand as well, 27 for sure would mean that some of the pavement would be too hot for dog paws. In the coming days, I'll just be taking my dog for his 5am walk and skip the lunchtime walk.

I remember a few years ago, in Newport we had a few days of 32-33 C. At 5pm it was pretty much peak heat, and next door used to take their 2 maltipoos for a walk. That's animal abuse. :(

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shortandfelly@reddit

There's no set answer.

I can get my dog to water pretty quickly and walk him along the river so he's pretty easy to keep cool as he loves water. Bar the middle of the day, one side of my road or the other is in shade which gets of us most of the way to the edge of the wood. If it's roasting, I tip water over him before we leave.

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Lettuce1939@reddit

My black lab gets all hot and bothered in this heat .. She’s currently fast asleep on the cool tiles with fans on her 🤣🤣 I shall take her out about 19.30

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flyingteatowel@reddit

No higher than 23° and that's only if he's been cut super short and we're over the fields where we live. There's a pond he likes to swim in.

Otherwise it's crack of dawn before temps rise too much.

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44_sun@reddit

I think it depends a lot on the dog breed (flat nosed etc), their coat, the type of exercise and then taking cues from your dog e.g. are they panting excessively, drooling. I'll be sticking to walks in the woods where I know they'll be a bit cooler over this weekend!

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Logically_Conflicted@reddit

22 in the sun is too much for my dog. Only reason we'd go anywhere over that temp would be to get into some woods or water, and then only if we were camping and there was not enough shade. If I'm at home, we don't go out. If she wants to roast herself in the sun in the garden when it's 30 degrees, that's her choice. Generally she roasts a bit, moves back to the patio that never sees the sun, cools down, goes back to roast again. I wouldn't dream of walking any dog at more than 24 degrees.

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Watchkeys@reddit

I don't. But there are walks where it's pretty much all shade, so I'll select those if it feels hot. No method for measuring the hot though, except if I'm too warm, or she's panting a lot. I think there can be quite a lot of variables. Walking on grass, being able to plunge into the sea, using the shady side of every street etc.

Hopefully a lot of people we see out in the heat aren't just expecting their dog to walk in full sunshine for long periods!

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Bibblejw@reddit

Depends on environment on the walk as much as anything. Unshaded pavement and probably similar to this kind of temp, but I'll do something like an extended hand test.

If it's a more grassy, shaded kind of walk, then it's probably possible much warmer, but need to be careful of exertion levels. That's both what you get them to do (ball games and the like) and what you can't stop them from doing (pulling on the lead or running around like a loon).

Depending on your living situation, going and finding a shaded spot on the grass may well be better for them than hanging out in your wood/concrete/brick box that's slowly but surely overheating.

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