Monty Don posts update on dog Ned and fans say ‘poor baby’

Gardening guru Monty Don has revealed how his beloved dog Ned is faring as record-breaking heatwaves continue to dominate the British summer, with fans left saying “poor baby”. With the arrival of warmer weather – and an escape from the grey skies and chilly temperatures so commonly associated with the UK – lots of people are keen to spend as much time as possible in their gardens and outdoor spaces. Unfortunately, the sweltering heat has left many of us struggling to cope.

The struggle also extends to pets, with dogs in particular prone to health concerns and serious risks. All dogs need consistent exercise and, for many people, this comes in the form of daily walks – but in the heat there’s a serious risk of your dog suffering from heatstroke.

The RSPCA states: “When a dog gets too hot and can’t lower its temperature by panting, it can develop heatstroke. This can be fatal, so you need to act fast to reduce their body temperature first, then get help.”

Popular horticulturist, broadcaster, and writer Monty Don recently shared a video of his beloved golden retriever Ned, captured in his garden. Like many professionals, Monty regularly shares guidance and advice via social media, often posting pictures taken in his garden, and revealing behind-the-scenes insight into jobs he’s completed to get the most out of his outdoor space.

The gardening guru also has a blog, where he writes in great detail about plants, flowers, and more, alongside more personal stories and anecdotes. In a video posted to Instagram, Ned can be seen standing in a shallow outdoor bath filled with water. Keeping dogs’ paws cool can help lower their overall body temperature.

In the caption accompanying the clip, Monty simply said: “Drinking one’s bathwater…” Followers were keen to share their thoughts in the comments section.

One person said: “Aww…poor baby! Keep cool, Ned (and Monty and family!)” Another agreed: “Poor baby is so hot. Drink up, Ned!” A third said: “Poor Ned” while a fourth commented: “Aah so hot, panting.”

If you’re concerned about your dog in the heat, the RSPCA advises: “The best thing to do when your dog is overheating is cool first, transport second. This means acting fast to stop further heating, cooling the dog down, and then taking them to your nearest vet.”

It also warns owners not to place wet or damp towels on your dog as this can trap their body heat. Instead, “place wet or damp towels beneath the dog – remembering to re-wet the towel frequently – but never over their body.”

Dog lover Monty previously wrote on his website: “I have lived with dogs all my life and so it is absolutely natural to me that wherever I am in the garden I should be accompanied by a dog or two. It is their garden as much as mine or any other members of the family.”

A familiar face on our screens, Monty is perhaps most widely recognised for his lead presenting role on the BBC series Gardeners’ World. The expert is a fountain of knowledge for all things outdoorsy, with many green-fingered enthusiasts keen to closely follow his guidance in a bid to get the most out of their gardens.

Monty first appeared on our screens in 1989 with a regular gardening segment on This Morning, which led to further work across multiple channels. A successful author, he’s written more than 25 books since his first was published in 1990.

In 2003, at Alan Titchmarsh’s suggestion, he took over as the lead presenter on Gardener’s World. He’s also written and produced several of his own garden series, including 2026’s Monty Don’s Rhineland Gardens.