HAVE WE CREATED A NATION OF FAIRWEATHER DOGS?
- 88 per cent of dog owners limit the time they walk their dog if it rains
- Have we created a nation of fair weather dogs? 19 per cent of dog owners say their dog will not go outside in the rain
- Dog walkers’ advice: just persevere and don’t give in to pampered pooches
New research from Churchill Insurance reveals that nine in ten (88 per cent) of British dog owners1 limit walkies time if it is wet outside. Given the British weather, many dogs are missing out on much needed exercise as one in six (16 per cent) would be put off by just a light drizzle. A fifth of British dog owners (20 per cent) avoid walking their dogs in the rain altogether, only taking them outside when they need to go to the toilet.
The majority of British dog owners deal with the rain either by avoiding their usual route (31 per cent) or dressing their dog up in wet weather gear (29 per cent). Men are more concerned about the rain than women, with more men (26 per cent) using an umbrella to shelter themselves and their dog when it rains than women (16 per cent).
We may be creating a nation of fair weather dogs, as one in five (19 per cent) say their dog won’t go outside when it rains.
Behaviours when walking in the rain |
Percentage of people who agree with these statements |
I avoid my usual route (woods, fields) when it rains |
31% |
I dress my dog up in wet weather gear when it rains |
29% |
I hold an umbrella over myself and my dog to shelter us from the rain |
21% |
I only take my dog outside in the rain when it needs to go to the toilet |
20% |
My dog won’t go outside when it rains |
19% |
I don’t pick up my dog’s poo when it rains |
7% |
I shut my dog outside the house after a walk in the rain until they dry off [i.e. in a garage or shed] |
7% |
I use perfumed / nice smelling products on my dog after a walk in the rain because I dislike the wet dog smell |
5% |
I won’t let my dog in the house after it’s been walked in the rain because I dislike the wet dog smell |
2% |
Source Churchill Insurance, 2016
British dog owners often pass on the job of wet weather walkies to dog walkers who are less likely to give into pampered pooches. Professional dog walkers accept no excuses and go to extreme lengths to ensure their charges have sufficient exercise in the rain. The majority (88 per cent) do not reduce the amount of time they walk dogs in the rain and for those who do (12 per cent), only torrential rain or heavy snow and ice would have an impact.
When faced with a rain-shy dog, most dog walkers just persevere and make them get on with it (43 per cent), saying that dogs are usually fine when able to run about in open spaces.
Claire Foster, spokesperson at Churchill Insurance said: “Everyone associates Britain with rain and yet we seem to be letting the weather affect our everyday lives, even stopping us from taking our dogs for a walk. Even worse, we seem to be creating fair weather pooches, who turn their noses up at the sign of rain, yet it’s vital that dogs continue to get the exercise they need no matter what the weather. Owners should put their wellies on, grab an umbrella and ‘keep calm and carry on’.”
A quarter (23 per cent) of dog walkers spend between five and ten minutes cleaning dogs after a walk, while one in five (20 per cent) take just two minutes, giving the dogs a quick rub down. When asked how difficult it was cleaning dogs after a walk in the rain, dog walkers said the emphasis was on cleaning and drying paws (19 per cent) and getting them ‘not filthy’ rather than spotless (16 per cent).
Nearly half (47 per cent) of dog walkers said owners did not expect them to return their dogs looking and smelling clean and one in five (22 per cent) said owners did not expect dogs to be pristine, but not filthy either. One in five (18 per cent), however, said it depends on the owners as those with expensive houses have higher expectations of cleanliness.
Professional dog walkers top tips for dealing with wet dogs:
• Wrap the dog up in a coat
• Carry a bottle of water to rinse off excess mud
• Take dog friendly wet wipes to wipe off excess dirt
• Towel dry as soon as back home / in the car
• Wipe paws thoroughly before allowing the dog back inside the house
Win 1 of 1,000 special edition Churchill umbrellas. Oh Yes!
To enter the prize draw, simply tell Churchill in the comments on his Facebook page who you would like to share an umbrella with?
T&Cs Apply. Closes 11:59pm, 28th Feb visit https://www.facebook.com/churchillthedog to enter
ENDS
1 Research conducted by Opinium Research with a representative sample of 4007 UK adults between 26th January – 2nd February 2016
2 Telephone research conducted among 100 dog walkers across the UK between 25th – 27th January 2016
For further information please contact:
Claire Foster
Churchill PR Manager
01651831672
07525665504
[email protected]
Antonia Green
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
0207 282 2967
[email protected]
Churchill
Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.
Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.
Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200300 or visiting www.churchill.com