Post Sunday Roast Dog Walks

A few things seem to be high on the priority list here in England.

And that’s a Sunday Roast & dogs.
And i am sure that depending on the household, the order of priority between the two differs.

A typical Sunday here in England will include going for, or hosting a Sunday Roast. Swiftly followed by a walk, in which if you have dogs they will be coming with you.

As dogs are allowed in most pubs ( and beyond ) here, it is completely normal to see people bring their pampered pooch, big or small with them to a pub for a Sunday roast.

But where did this intense love of dogs come from?

The country is full of dog walkers, and British dogs get more exercise per day than dogs in other parts of Europe.

Some people like to imagine the Queen and her fluffy Corgis going for a walk in the countryside.

British dogs are active for 177 minutes a day, while German dogs are only active for 160 minutes and the average French mutt is active for 170 minutes. That could be why British dogs are smaller than their cousins in Europe. The average British Labrador weighs 28 kg, while the average German Labrador weighs 29 kg and the average French Labrador weighs 31 kg.

And it's not just Europeans who own dogs slower than Brits. Carri Westgarth of Liverpool University did research that showed they even outpaced & outstepped more than Americans or Australians.

The British love of walking their dogs may have less to do with the dogs than with the walking. The Brits walk a lot. In 2017, they were ranked fifth in the world and first in Europe for how much they walk. Dogs keep walkers company and give them something to do, so it may be that walking makes people want to get a dog instead of the other way around.

Others say that British people... tend to see dog-walking as a rare chance to meet new people, talk, make jokes, and talk about the weather without putting themselves in danger (ie, without being too committed in their interaction)

Some people think that dog-walking still has some of its old kudos because it is a tradition among the British aristocracy to own and train dogs.

From my observations, or at least from my short experience with the dogs here in England for the last 4 months. I have noticed them to be a conversation starter, without the threat of over-committing to a conversation.

As Charlie is a beautiful chocolate brown, he tends to draw the most onlookers. But as he can be rather wild… I also find that if a situation is a bit awkward, we are able to use him as our exit strategy as well.

Have you ever noticed this about the Brits and their furry companions?
I would love to know if you have any in the comments.