Dog walking doesn’t stop just because the British weather turns wet. With the right clothing, a rainy walk can still be comfortable and enjoyable rather than something you simply have to endure. A few well-chosen waterproof essentials can make a huge difference- for both you and your dog.
Start With a Good Waterproof Jacket.
A Waterproof jacket is probably the most useful piece of clothing for a wet dog walk and is worth investing in time and money to choose the right one. Look for something that keeps the rain out but is still breathable, especially if you are out walking for an hour or more. A hood, secure pockets and enough room for an extra layer or two underneath is worth considering. My wife and I have used Columbia outdoor gear for around ten years or more, and it’s still in use every winter. If your looking for a waterproof option, the Columbia Hikebound II is worth a look
Waterproof Trousers can be worth their weight in gold
On really wet days, a waterproof jacket only solves half the problem. Waterproof overtrousers can be pulled on over your normal walking clothes and are especially useful when walking through long wet grass or exposed countryside. They’re also handy when an enthusiastic dog decides to shake itself dry beside you! We’ve had a long term experience with Columbia gear, and their Pouring Adventure III waterproof trousers are another option worth a look.
Good boots are worth the investment.
One lesson we learned from shopping for outdoor gear in North America was not to underestimate the value of a really good pair of boots. It can be tempting to try and save money on footware, but when you’re regularly covering miles with dogs in rain, mud, snow and rough ground, investing in quality will pay dividends.
Comfort and waterproofing matter, but so do grip, ankle support and durability. A good pair of boots should cope with long wet walks without leaving you with soaked feet halfway round. We found some excellent outdoor footware whilst shopping overseas, and it changed the way we looked at buying boots. Sometimes spending a little more on something you’ll use constantly makes far more sense than repeatedly replacing cheaper pairs.
Keep your hands warm and dry.
Cold, wet hands aren’t much fun when your holding a lead or reaching for treats and poo bags. A pair of lightweight waterproof gloves can make winter rainy-day walks so much more comfortable. Look for gloves that still give you enough movement to handle the lead securely.
Keeping your dog warm after a wet walk or swim.
Some dogs barely notice the rain, but a coat can be useful in colder or particularly wet conditions. From our own experience with gundogs, we have used neoprene jackets when the dogs are swimming, or working from a boat. These provide some extra warmth and can offer a little additional bouyancy, as well as something to hold on to when lifting the dog out of the water.
A quick tip from experience: Neoprene jackets often need a little adjustment to get the right fit. On male dogs, make sure there is enough undercarriage clearance for them to toilet comfortably, and check behind the front legs too. If the neoprene sits too tightly around the armpits it can rub and cause sores. We’ve found that carefully trimming a little neoprene where needed can improve the fit, but always check the seams and construction before making any alterations.
After a cold swim, particularly on frosty days, getting the dogs warm and dry becomes even more important. After towling off, we have used fleece jumpers before putting the dogs in the car. It helps them warm up as they continue to dry and makes the journey home much more comfortable and less cleaning up afterwards.
A few useful extras.
A hat or cap can make a surprisingly big difference in persistent rain, I perfer a flat cap, my better half a baseball-type cap. It’s always worth having a dry towl waiting in the car, where we also keep spare walking essentials handy so getting caught out by someone forgetting something normally me not the dog, or by a sudden change in weather, doesn’t have to cut the walk short.
When you get home.
After a wet walk, it’s worth spending a couple of minutes checking your dog over rather than simply towling them off and letting them settle down. Pay particular attention to their paws and between the toes for small stones, thorns or anything else picked up along the way. Depending where you’ve been walking, its a good opportunity to check for ticks.
Wet coats, boots and other walking gear are best cleaned or hung up to dry ready for the next walk. There’s nothing worse than heading out for your next walk only to discover that your gear is still wet from the last one, and your four legged pal is patiently waiting with crossed legs and a frown on his face. That goes for the dog’s gear too.