Dogs and the cold
 

The last 3 days is the coldest we've had since we arrived 9 weeks ago. Our dog loves the snow and has been walking/playing in it happily but in the last few days the temps have dropped (this morning it's -25 and -34 with windchill).

Our dog can only manage about 2 minutes in the garden without limping so i've purchased coat and boots for her!!! Before I take her for a walk and look completely stupid to the locals - is it normal to need these things or do dogs just adapt to the cold? I cant imagine making her walk in this without protection but i've not seen one other dog wearing anything on their feet!:confused:

Re: Dogs and the cold
 

If she's limping you might as well try the boots since you have them. My old lab split paws a couple of times in -35 - -40 just in the few minutes it took to do his business and those take a bit of treatment to heal.

Re: Dogs and the cold
 

Put the boots on the dog. Their paws can be easily hurt - would you go out in the snow in bare feet? Bloody hell, minus 25 degrees speaks for itself. The other dogs' feet are probably acclimatized.

The dog doesn't think he/she is in a fashion contest and won't care if the locals think you are stupid.

Re: Dogs and the cold
 

YES - the locals will laugh at you

Re: Dogs and the cold
 

We tried boots on our Shitzu, not for the cold, more for the salt. He was stopping and lifting his feet after 5-10 mins. He wont wear them tho:frown: Walks like a demented robot with them on..
He still goes for winter walks but with no footwear. He is a Canadian born dog tho so im not sure if this makes any difference. He loves snow but hates the rain.

Re: Dogs and the cold
 

It depends on the type of dog you have...

Re: Dogs and the cold
 

One of our dogs can't hack the cold after about -15/-17 so the booties came out yesterday. Yes, they look slightly ridiculous, but after getting his head around it for a few minutes, he was off and running, literally. Our other dog can manage it a bit colder, but not much - so more booties come out then.

The snow will accumulate in little balls all over them - and the icy paths can cut their pads. Booties win out!

Re: Dogs and the cold
 

Really laffed out loud x

Re: Dogs and the cold
 

We are just about to get some booties for our dog as after the last snow he was limping for 2 weeks afterwards.

Most dogs around here wear the full gear when out walking. It hit -30 last night so I dont think anyone will laugh at you ;)

Re: Dogs and the cold
 

It's the coyotes and wolves that live in the wilderness that I feel sorry for.

The poor things have never had the option of fancy gene filtering or practical winter pawwear :(

Re: Dogs and the cold
 

She's a German Sheppard X English Mastiff.

Thank you all I really think the boots are necessary as long as she'll stop trying to chew them off. I really just wanted other dogs experiences and to know if your dogs have gotten used to it but reading split pads was enough for me - boots it is!!

I suppose we already stick out like a sore thumb to the locals so whats one more thing :D

Re: Dogs and the cold
 

Evolution probably does quite a good job of fancy gene filtering.

I've thought about shoes for one of our dogs after he split his paw when I took him for a run. The wolf doesn't need them though and likes the snow. Also where I live it doesn't get colder than -10, and then only for a couple of days a year (if even that).

Re: Dogs and the cold
 

Can't blame her! Take her out till her feet get cold then come back in is my advice. No boots unless it's a indoor dog (ShiZu etc).

Re: Dogs and the cold
 

Its the salt though, they hate it on their feet. We find that where we live it is possible to walk on grass for most of the time, and in fresh snow, this keeps contact with the salt minimal.

Re: Dogs and the cold
 

[QUOTE=shunter1977;10377035l I really think the boots are necessary as long as she'll stop trying to chew them off. :D[/QUOTE]
For what it costs try a little dog psychology. Just because I couldn't get mine to keep them on....... when it's time for walkies instead of the leash hold up the booties and see if she'll eventually get the point and associate them with sometrhing she enjoys. At suppertime put the boots on her, then put her dish in front of her. We trained retrievers to not be gunshy by firing a starter pistol at feeding time so it may help.