Wintry cold FYI: Is it too cold to walk your pup?

[allegorical oracle]

Generally speaking, no dog should be taken out for a walk if the weather drops below 16°F, as they cannot withstand these below-freezing temperatures. A good rule of thumb is that if it's uncomfortably cold for you as the owner, it's likely too cold for your dog.

Beyond that, more specific advice depends on the size of your dog and the density of its natural coat.

"Temperatures around 25°F and below are too cold for short-haired dogs, while long-coated dogs can handle slightly lower temperatures, down to 16°F," says clinical animal behaviorist, Rachel Rodgers....

A Siberian husky, Samoyed, or Newfoundland can withstand the cold better than a short-haired breed.

https://www.countryliving.com/life/kids-pets/a70113056/when-is-too-cold-to-walk-dog-winter-storm/

[WhiskeyGrinder]

1. My dogs were out at -20 earlier this week, and they make it clear when they're ready to come in.

[hlthe2b]

2. Absolute bullshit. It depends on the dog and their conformation--including the pads of their feet

and their haircoat. I have walked my Aussie/Border collie--now almost 15 yo- in temps as low as minus 11F (actual temps) and with wind, snow, ice that lowers it down below -15F as recently as last winter.

THIS MORNING I walked with my girlie in 8F along with her doggy buds (a Golden Doodle, a hunting Griffon, and a Shih Tsu. It was on plowed but mixed snow pack/icy pavement and approximately 2 1/2 miles followed by a short run in the dog park. All dogs do just fine. In heavy snow, the Shih Tsu needs booties and all dogs are checked if they limp for compacted snow--which upon flicking out from beneath their pads returns them to happy, running dogs (well, my nearly 15 yo is less running but still happy).

All the people are, like me, very knowledgeable about how to dress for the entire gamut of Colorado conditions and that includes the dogs. As long as everyone keeps moving, neither dogs nor humans get overly cold. Heavy wind can change that, but cold, snow, ice alone does not.

But, if you have a dog and are unaware, google the breed first and then check with your veterinarian. These absolutist articles are sheer bullshit and annoy the hell out of me. I know we have a lot of people that need guidance, but be absolute about not leaving your dog/cat outside in such weather conditions with nowhere to go to get warm. Not such statements about WALKING your dog!

[Prairie Gates]

3. Lounge

[allegorical oracle]

13. Posted it here in case others might like a frame of reference -- especially if they're new

pet owners. If severe storms weren't looming, would've posted in the Lounge.

[Ocelot II]

4. I once knew a husky who refused to come inside in the winter.

He preferred to sleep in the snow.

[allegorical oracle]

14. Had friend with a St. Bernard who wouldn't come in, either, unless seriously bribed.

[CincyDem]

5. My pup is a canine thermometer.

We go out everyday with a tennis ball and racquet. I swat…she retrieves.

Below 25, she’s good for 3 runs before she grabs the ball and heads for the door instead of me.

40-70…she’d go all day if I would.

80+…she’s back to 2-3.

Below 10 or so and above 90…she walks to the edge of the garage, sits down and gives me the “you’re kidding right?” look.

If you listen, dogs will tell you exactly what they’re thinking.

[MiHale]

6. Roscoe is a 20 pound Havanese...

14 years old…hates summer unless he’s in the water or deep shade…loves winter stays out for over an hour in normal winters…this year it’s unusually frigid…he’ll last 10 minutes or less.

He has a heavy coat that is not usual for Havanese…think that helps.

[peggysue2]

7. This morning my little guy, Benny, was very dubious about going out.

I picked him up, tried to clear a way with my boots (the steps were fun) then put him down. I looked at him, he looked at me,. He then he took ten steps, peed and struggled back to the disappearing steps.

He hasn't gone out since though his routine is pee, get a treat and his greenie, then scamper to the back door for a run around and morning poop.

This is going to be a fun day.

Even my large dog was miffed. She went out, turned a couple circles, peed on the deck and immediately barked to come back inside.

It's 12 degrees out. The pups aren't having it.

[EarthFirst]

8. We have Goldens and a Doodle (rescue)

The Goldens were polar bears in a previous life; I swear!

That said; we know to moderate their outdoor activity in WNY. However left to their own discretion; they’d never come indoors until supper time!

The Doodle on the other hand; she will gladly watch from the window with the “fuuuuck that…” side eye…

[milestogo]

9. Story: There was an immigrant who used to let his St. Bernard lie out in the snow on the front lawn.

The immigrant was from Siberia. Didn't speak or understand English very well.

Somebody called the police and told them the guy was abusing his dog... Animal Control showed up and so did the police. Poor guy didn't think he was doing anything wrong. And he wasn't.

[Americanme]

10. Our Bernedoodle loves the cold.

He is a good sized dog, 105 pounds, and he loves lying in the snow. We worry about these extreme temps, only let him out for a few minutes at a time. Sometimes have to bribe him with a treat to get him to come in.

[allegorical oracle]

12. I had two standard poodles and they loved the cold. They only weighed about 80 pounds, 'tho.

[dsc]

11. Dogs are pretty good at letting you know what they want

unless they are too young as pups or going senile. But that said, you have to watch their paws. Salt can get stuck there which can cause discomfort. Also the ice can cause usually surefooted dogs to be very clumsy. If you have steps you have to be careful with them on those. Finally, do not let them eat road snow (salt and other melting chemicals) but the snow in your yard should be AOK.

[Raftergirl]

15. My H just came back from walking our dog. It's 5 out and snowing. They went down the block and back.

They were out maybe 5 minutes. We have a fenced backyard and when he paws at the door we let him out, no matter the temperature. He knows when he’s had enough.

[Disaffected]

16. That's a pretty silly generalization.

It depends on the dog. I have a medium sized shep X with a medium long coat that makes use of a dog door which I always leave unlatched. He spends a lot of time, even in -20C weather and snowing, day or night, out on the deck lying on a mat - his choice.

He is a rescue and probably feral before capture which might explain some of it. In any case, dogs vary greatly in their preference & tolerance for cold (or hot) weather.