Hi :) I have a question about my collie X. He is 4 years old collie whippet cross (not sure about the whippet but when him and my sisters whippet are next to each other the resemblence is scary!) So the collie is verrry fast and loves chasing balls and swimming in our local river. The thing is when it has been a cold day or raining, and he's been swimming, when we get home his hind legs seem to get very stiff and he hobbles about for a few hours but is fine afterwards. I was wondering if it could be arthritis? Should we take him to the vet? Any advice would be wonderful :)

More than likely just muscle tension due to being in cold water and then comnig out in cold air/rain I would think especially if it's only during the colder months.

Oh thats a relief! I was scared something was wrong with his joints or something. Should I take him to get checked at the vet anyway? Just in case?

If you are ever worried then visit your vet,if only to reassure you.I agree it does sould like muscle cramps from the cold.

Is this a new behaviour or has it come on gradually?

"very stiff" and "hobbles... for a few hours"  sounds a bit more worrying to me than just muscle cramps.  I'd be inclined to book him a vet visit for a check up but I'd probably wait a week and take that time to closely monitor the situation - if only so that you can give more accurate information to the vet.  Make a note of time and duration of walk, type of exercise, weather conditions/temp and observe his recovery afterward.  How long does he sleep for; exactly what signs of impaired movement do you see; is it improved by exercise?  Can he walk the stiffness off quite easily, and is he willing to try? 

Do make sure you dry him thoroughly after his walks and you might want to look at at a fleecy coat (see Equafleece for some examples) to keep him warm after you get back, or pop him under a blanket.

Hopefully, you won't need to do much more than modify his exercise but I do think it worth a closer look :)

It has been going on for a few months now but wasnt too worried until it happened when he hadnt been swimming. It only seems to be when he gets wet. His sleeping pattern after is pretty normal. I'll keep an eye on him for the next couple of weeks and see if there are any changes.
:) thanks for your advice