DID SOMEONE SAY
“WALKIES?”

It’s no secret that the UK is a country of dog lovers – in fact, 1 in 5 people in the UK own a dog (1 in 4 in Wales and Northern Ireland). But busy lifestyles and other factors often prevent dog owners spending as much time as they would like to with their furry friends. We went about finding out why, and what could be done to help!

As all you dog owners out there will know, the physical exercise that comes with having a dog is a huge bonus and often one of the biggest bonuses of having a dog. Making time to get out in the fresh air, doing gentle exercise, is good for dog and owner alike. However, it’s not just lack of time that seems to get in the way of enjoying the great outdoors with your pooch…

Braving the weather in the colder months in the UK is a bit of a challenge, however it is important that dogs are active all year-round which unfortunately is not the case for two thirds of the UK dog population, our study finds.

Our study showed that 1 in 3 dog owners keep their dogs more active in summer and 1 in 4 say that activities depend on weather conditions. Whatever the weather, and no matter how pushed for time you are, you should always ensure your pet gets enough exercise. We have consulted an animal welfare charity Blue Cross about keeping dogs active throughout the year. Their advice: “It is important to ensure that your dog gets a walk in all weathers, but only if it is safe for you to go out. If you aren't able to head outdoors on dark and cold evenings, make sure your dog feels exercised and is mentally stimulated through games inside the home.” says Alison Thomas, Clinical Compliance Manager at Blue Cross pet charity.

Long walks and runs in the park top the list of favourite activities, followed by playing games (27%) while almost a quarter of UK dog owners prefer staying in with their dogs. “In colder months, short-coated breeds, like greyhounds, Dobermans and Staffordshire bull terriers struggle the most to cope with the cold. So make sure your dog has some winter clothes, like a cosy doggy jumper or coat, for when they go outside. Where grit or salt spreading has taken place in icy weather, it is important to give your dog’s paws a wash when you get home. It is possible for your dog to become ill as a result of taking in a lot of salt when licking their paws,” suggests Alison from Blue Cross.

The study by Lands’ End also discovered that less than half of UK dog owners describe themselves as active, while almost two thirds would like to increase their activity levels which represents a significant sign that people should be encouraged to be more active in colder months. According to the study, the key to better activity levels seems to lie in having the right walking attire as that makes 50% of dog owners more likely to keep their pooches active despite weather conditions.

Lands’ End have a fantastic range of coats and jackets, perfect for dog walking. With weatherproof jackets and coats on sale, you’ll be spoilt for choice. But what about our furry friends? Well, there are dog coats for them too! Waterproof (and with reflective strips for added safety on some styles), you can rest assured they are safe and warm.

* The study surveyed over 800 dog owners.