A lot has happened for Bristol dog owners this week. A serious heatwave warning, two separate changes to dog law, several path closures worth planning around, and confirmation that one of the UK's biggest dog festivals is coming to our doorstep in September. Here's everything you need to know.

The heatwave: what you need to know before you walk

The Met Office has issued amber heat-health alerts across England this week, with the third heatwave of 2026 forecast to widely exceed 30°C and some areas potentially hitting 36°C on Thursday and Friday. The RSPCA has urged owners to put dogs into what it's calling a 'dog lockdown', and vets are warning that pavements, roads, and even artificial grass can reach temperatures that cause burns within seconds. Experts are clear that early morning and late evening are the only genuinely safe times to walk a dog in this heat, and that even dogs who are well used to warm weather remain at serious risk.

The British Veterinary Association has reissued its simplest piece of advice: press your palm to the pavement for five seconds before you walk. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your dog's paws. Watch for heavy panting, excessive drooling, bright red or very pale gums, and a loss of coordination, all signs of heatstroke that need immediate vet attention. Dogs should never be left in cars, even briefly, and walks should be pushed to the cooler ends of the day until this heatwave passes.

If you're looking for a shaded beer garden or a cafe with good outdoor seating for a cooler evening walk, our dog-friendly directory lets you filter by outdoor seating across the city.

Dog law updates you should know about

Two separate legal changes are worth knowing about if you own, or are considering rehoming, a dog on the banned breeds list. From 1 July 2026, owners of XL Bullies and other banned breeds no longer need third-party public liability insurance as part of their Certificate of Exemption. A second change follows on 1 November 2026, when it becomes illegal to leave a child aged 12 or under unsupervised with a banned breed dog. The PDSA has published a full explainer if you want the detail on what has and hasn't changed.

Separately, the Animal Welfare (Responsibility for Dog on Dog Attacks) Bill received its second reading in the House of Commons in late May 2026. If passed, it would create clearer legal accountability for owners whose dogs injure or kill other dogs in public, a gap that dog law specialists have long flagged as unclear under current legislation. It's still moving through Parliament, so nothing changes yet, but it's one worth watching.

DogFest is coming to Ashton Court this September

DogFest, one of the UK's largest dog festivals, is confirmed for Ashton Court Estate this September. Expect world-class canine displays, expert workshops, breed meet-ups, fun dog shows, and fastest dog competitions, alongside a full festival food and drink offering. It's the biggest annual dog event on Bristol's doorstep and reliably draws large crowds, so it's worth getting it in the diary early. We covered the full run of Bristol dog events this summer if you want the wider picture.

Travel and path closures affecting Bristol dog walkers

A few closures are worth planning around if you've got regular routes.

In North Somerset, footpath LA12/43/10 in Long Ashton has shut for around 63 days while Bristol Water diverts a water main. Bridleway LAB/67/10 in Easton-in-Gordano, also part of National Cycle Route 26, is closed for at least six months for MetroWest and Network Rail works. Beach Hill in Portishead is shut for 19 days for gas main replacement, and further closures are scheduled through to September.

Closer to the centre, the Bristol Harbour Festival begins on Friday 17 July, bringing widespread road closures across the city centre and harbourside, along with disruption to First Bus services. If you regularly walk Wapping Wharf or Cumberland Road, expect delays getting there by car or bus over the festival weekend.

Wildlife and the lead law reminder

Wiltshire Police and the Wildlife Trusts have renewed their joint call for dog owners to keep dogs on leads no longer than two metres on open access land until 31 July, the legal deadline for ground-nesting bird protection under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act. Police have noted multiple incidents of livestock and nesting birds being attacked by uncontrolled dogs this season, and Wildlife Trust volunteers have reportedly faced verbal abuse when challenging walkers about it. Worth keeping in mind on any open countryside walk over the next couple of weeks.

Blue-green algae season has started

The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology has released its Bloomin' Algae summer newsletter, marking the start of peak blue-green algae season in lakes, ponds, rivers and reservoirs. This toxic cyanobacteria thrives in warm weather, has caused dog deaths across the UK, and can look like green or turquoise paint sitting on the surface of the water. It's worth downloading the free Bloomin' Algae app, now updated to v3.2.4, to check for reported blooms before letting your dog into any still or slow-moving water this summer.

One final thing

Between the heatwave, the festival closures, and algae season all landing in the same fortnight, this is a week to plan your walks a little more carefully than usual. For dog-friendly spots with shade, water, and outdoor seating to wait out the heat, browse our full dog-friendly Bristol directory, filterable by area, price, and outdoor seating.

Spotted something we should cover next week? Email us at woof@thebristolhound.com