Cold weather and dogs

Well, tbh I think that cold weather affects them less than hot weather.

My Cairn (now very sadly deceased) positively revelled in cold weather. But anything above 15c he began to wilt!

We had a Patterdale, she was a tough old bird and would not tolerate a coat, I would almost go as far as to say the colder the better for her.
She loved snow and water and lived to 16.

Dogs are descended from wolves so they are well equipped for running around in cold weather.

I’ve just been watching DD’s cockerpoo running zoomies and rolling in the modicum snowfall we’ve had overnight. That dog is seriously bonkers 😜

Our 11 year old Golden Retriever girl gets walked as normal but with her equafleece coat on - it's got longish front legs to keep her feathers dry and no back legs so not restrictive.

We also use paw balm (which is a mix of different oils and waxes) to help stop snow-balls forming between her pads on the soles of her paws, and her toes.

You can get boots for dogs but in our experience they have not been received well! Good luck!

Thanks all. Well we took them out, the cocker enjoyed running in the field until the ice started balling in her feet. Must look out for the paw balm, it sounds good. We have enough trouble wrestling the springer into a harness, I think doggy boots would be a step too far! To be honest, I was probably more concerned about DH slipping and breaking something!

The only thing you have to be aware of is if you've walked them where roads or footpaths have been salted. If so, make sure you wash their paws when you get home.

A lot of sighthounds have to wear boots, not to keep their feet warm but because, as a breed, they often suffer from corns which are difficult to remove ( and come back anyway). Greyhounds are particularly prone to them and their size and weight makes walking very painful without cushioning.

I was just about to say the same thing Smileless dogs tend to lick their paws when they come home and the salt is toxic to them

Yes Astitchintime my little cockapoo is a nut job aswell I think they all are but adorable too

So is our cockapoo which I agree makes them so adorable.

My Norwich terrier would very much like a walk…..I’m much less keen as the snow is higher than my shoes. The fact that it’s above chest height for her is another drawback!

sassenach512

I was just about to say the same thing Smileless dogs tend to lick their paws when they come home and the salt is toxic to them

Yes Astitchintime my little cockapoo is a nut job aswell I think they all are but adorable too

The best way to combat the salt I’ve found is to let the dog straight out into the garden when we get home so he can run around and wash off the salt with clean snow. My dog (also a spaniel) is not bothered by the snow at all, he likes it, but he is totally opposed to being out in the rain.

When we lived in Turkey we had 9 dogs. Some preferred the summers and others the winters. We used to leave it up to them whether they went out in the snow and ice and it was usually the spaniels that preferred the cold.

Casdon

sassenach512

I was just about to say the same thing Smileless dogs tend to lick their paws when they come home and the salt is toxic to them

Yes Astitchintime my little cockapoo is a nut job aswell I think they all are but adorable too

The best way to combat the salt I’ve found is to let the dog straight out into the garden when we get home so he can run around and wash off the salt with clean snow. My dog (also a spaniel) is not bothered by the snow at all, he likes it, but he is totally opposed to being out in the rain.

Sounds like your spaniel may be related to mine Casdon. She hates going out in the rain but loves the snow- first time she’s experienced it- and is also happy to go paddling and swimming in the sea (conditions permitting of course!)

Our mad cockers (only one left now) loved the snow.

My daughter’s 3 mini sausages hate cold, snow and rain!

Courses for horses or dogs for bogs haha

Not really a problem here as long as Rosie isn't asked to go outside!

Canadian here. Edmonton, Alberta. More snow this year than in the past 25 (more than that as far as I'm concerned, it has never snowed this much that I remember). I have a mini Australian Shepherd. I walk him 4 times a day: 2 short, one long and one medium. Some of the windchill over the past couple of weeks has been -30 to -36 (Celsius). He loves the snow and the cold doesn't bother him...no boots, his paws don't get snow balls between his toes, no extra coat--he rolls in the snow. He seems to be the perfect breed for our climate. However, it is only Jan 6 and although I love winter and being out in it, I am longing for spring...

If pavements and roads are being salted, it makes sense to wipe dogs' and cats'paws when they come in. If paws looked chapped or the skin is broken I anoint them with unsalted pork fat, as this does the animal no harm if they lick it off.

As a child I had a fox terrier whose paws became so sore in a hard winter that he had to wear canvas bootees that my mother made for him, and which he DETESTED when going out.

Think friendly Ginger cat is talking sense.
Dogs are cold weather animals & in the UK I personally don't think it's uncomfortable for them, I'm sure the thinner coated breeds like whippets & greyhounds appreciate their coats on walks though.
Dogs did used to be kept outside in wooden kennels with a couple of rugs in all weathers, & didn't come to harm even though it seems a bit harsh in real winter weather like now.

We have 5 Labradors and they love the cold. I’ve got paw balm and it’s good for any spot of dry skin as well as nose and paws. Ours are walked in the country so no salt on their feet.

Maybe it depends on breed and temperament. Mine's a retriever and designed for rough ground in all weather. He doesn't stand still long enough to get cold, it's all bounce with him.
It's icy on the moors at the moment, but he takes it all in his stride!

Dogs have been in forever and live in countries much colder than the UK.

This seems a bit of s silly lost to me.

We have an Akita x who has a splendid winter coat - Husky’ish. She loves the cold and likes to lie on the cold patio stones. I always wash her paws in a bowl of warm water, especially between her toes to remove any grit/debris to keep her paws healthy.

Google can help. I saw sensible advice from a vet on this subject.
I’d be more careful with elderly dogs and those with thin coats. My lab of course loves snow and he’s young and fit.
I used Vaseline on my cocker spaniels legs to help minimise snowballs