Hi all I have a 3year old Lab and we both enjoy walks in the cold She's been up Ben Nevis and Helvyln knee deep in snow Anyone know what the very coldest she should be out in as a rule of thumb Wind chill high up this week will hit -23 degrees C and wondering if that's too cold She has boots that keep slipping off so tend to use Linolin (like vasaline) on her paws for protection Thanks Chris
Welcome to the forum. I don't know the answer to your question, but we have some members in cold countries who have a lot of experience of labs in snow. I've had Holly and her predecessor, Cocoa, in the Brecon Beacons in the snow and they loved it!
Nah, that'll be fine. We had wind chill of -22C this morning and the dogs were happy as Larry. I was a bit chilly, mind
This is our first full winter with our boy. Our findings: Up to -10°C, he acts no differently to +5°C. We don't alter the schedule or activity at all. At -15°C, normal schedule but no standing around for more than 5-10 minutes, as I've noticed him show very slight signs of cold. At -20°C, we've spent 90 minutes outside, "on the move", with no signs of shivering or discomfort. He just runs around as normal, enjoying himself At -25°C, we don't spend more than 15-20 minutes or so outside, and moving all the time. No problems. Sometimes he does want to bring himself inside. We haven't seen -35°C yet this winter, maybe we won't, let's see.... PS All temps are air temps, no windchill taken into account. PPS He doesn't have any shoes, I think they would spoil his grip on the ice.
Your weather sounds lovely! We live where temps are -30* C to -50* C for about two months.... And sometimes colder with windchill. I am so sick of winter! We end up going out for shorter times but do go out more often. If they are moving around, they are usually just fine. Watch their body language. I typically get cold long before they are ready to go in. Some dogs are thicker furred, Zeke will lay on the snow bank and chew a toy. Rex is much thinner furred and often stands at the door after a few minutes. I think you get acclimated to the cold, if you go out for extended times often they are acclimated to it and are just fine. My boys can't take the heat but that's a whole different issue! Some hunting trips get cancelled cuz our dogs overheat. So enjoy your walks! Oh and I do nothing for pads. Just went to check them and they are nice and soft on both boys.
Wow. These temps are almost unimaginable to most Brits. We were out today at around 3 degrees c, with windchill temp was around -2 or 3, crickey it was cold! When we rounded a corner into the shade and picked up the easterly wind, not really the norm for the UK, it was biting. Glad to get to the pub to warm up!
It didn't drop below 28 degrees here last night. I can't even begin to imagine what -35 feels like!!!
You get used to it somewhat. Lol. You should see my dog walking outfit.... My hubbies green hooded long down coat. Camouflage high top muck boots. Face mask. Gloves. And if it's really cold my sons camo duck hunting bibs. Picture a puffy green camo snowman. And I still get cold before the dogs.
This is pretty much our observation as well. Our boy loves the snow which usually falls in the up to -10 category. He’d will play in it longer than I can last. Just keep an eye on your animal, they will tell you what they can cope with. Most in my area will hunt and swim their labs and Chessies in below zero temps no problems.
Is there a big difference between -20 and -25? Both seem extremely cold to me, but if your walks are that much shorter at -25 then there must be a big difference? That's the problem with winter in temperate countries, we're just not prepared (clothing wise) for cold! At least if you live somewhere that gets into the double digit sub-zeros you've got the right kit to cope with it!
Where are you located? We also see -40 C in interior Alaska. At that temp my labs feet get cold pretty quickly...they are in speed-pee mode and then hustle back inside. They do like to curl up by the wood stove to nap. I love winter...skijoring more and longer as the days are getting longer...gaining 7 minutes of daylength per day.
I find there's a pretty big difference between say 25 and 30 degrees, especially when it comes to walking your dog so surely it would be the same the other way. Unless it's like when it gets above 35 degrees and it's just bl***y hot and yuk whether it's 35 or 40.
Oddly (and speaking only for myself and the way I feel and "interpret" the cold), yes The difference is so pronounced that I think I could tell the difference in a "blind tasting". For both Nelson and myself, -25°C is the point at which white frost or ice appears on things like eyebrows/eyelashes/whiskers/beard/paws/donger. It's also the point for me where breathing in through my nose causes ice crystals to form in there. Also, -25°C is the point at which my ears start to "burn" if they are not fully covered. For me, -25°C and below is the range where winter really starts to "become uncomfortable". Would be interested to hear opinions from other people who live in the cold.
Just discussed this with Mrs Snowy over breakfast. Feeling ears and paws, watching for shivers, or the lifting of one leg, are all signs that the dog starts to feel cold. She pointed out that it is more important to keep an eye on your dog rather than an eye on the thermometer.
One thing to realize in that kind of cold, try not to get sweaty yourself. If you get sweaty and have a windier, colder walk back home you could get very cold yourself. If you are sweaty and have to slow down for some reason, same thing.
