Cold weather and dogs

We have a Newfoundland and he loves the snow. Much more than I do. He sits at the back of the door waiting for any opportunity to get out again (seconds after a good long walk). Doesn’t like the heat in summer. Not that we get much in Lancashire

Thanks for all the responses. Our dogs have always enjoyed being out in all weathers, I only asked due to their age and DH being anxious about it.
Message received that it’s fine to take them out
As for the person who thought this was a silly post, well no one is forcing you to join in!

Good one merlotgran.

I like it when we take their jumpers or coats off and their little bodies are all warm .

love it merlotgran

This made me chuckle.

We just groomed our Jackapoo and poochon so their coats are thin. They are wearing a jumper each when they go out at the moment. The Jackapoo rolls around in the snow and both dogs very active, running around and seeming to love the cold weather.

There are a couple around here with 2 absolutely gorgeous Sausage dogs, both have all-over body warmers/jackets which are fastened at the front and around the back so there's room for the tail, and also under the belly, with hoods, and 8 tiny little feet with booties!

My 2 spaniels aged 6 and 8 love running in fields regardless of how cold it is. No snow here yet in South Devon. They don't like rain but love swimming in the sea or rivers. I've never put a coat on any dog yet.

Had dogs from Westie to Lab size and all seemed to really enjoy snow. I did always try to dry them off and wash feet if had been walking near any gritted or salted paths.

It’s important to avoid walking Toy breeds too long in very cold weather. Their size means they become too cold (effecting their organs) easily in very cold weather. Short coated breeds don’t have the insulation to keep warm, so need a coat.

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

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.

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

This seems a bit of s silly lost to me.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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...

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

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

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!)

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.

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.

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!

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