Readers report mixed dog reactions to low-flying planes — SkimNews
Get the Health newsletter
Daily health & science — research, biotech, public health, the studies worth knowing. Free.
- Guy Cox of Sydney writes that his daughter's kelpie/spaniel cross Guffy is terrified of thunder and mistakes the rumble of overflying aircraft for storms, hiding without looking up.
- Harry Olund of Newport, Oregon reports that all four of his Labradors over 60 years briefly looked up—about 4 to 5 seconds—when planes flew overhead, but lost interest quickly.
- Ron Bennett of Yorkshire references a previously published account of West Yorkshire dog Blu who tracked low-flying planes (1 August), and recalls his own rescue collie used to chase aircraft.
- Cox argues there is logic to fearing thunder—signaling rain and painful loud claps for sensitive ears—and that dogs have lived with thunder far longer than with planes.
Why it matters: The contrasting anecdotes—panic, indifference, and active tracking—suggest no single canine response to overflying planes exists, with breed, prior trauma, and learned associations with thunder appearing to drive individual reactions.
Ask SkimNews
