Hi everyone. First time lab owner here. (Used to GSD). I trained my dogs for personal company. But I am a lab newbie now -- and what a trip! He was born in Texas US, his name Dr Watson. But now he is in NYC with me where colds are sometimes in the 20F, at times. I know Labs are waterproof-kinda and Canadian where they laugh at cold. But this one is from Texas. Should I subject Dr Watson with an a coat? I heard overheating is an issue, and Watson is of English lines -- stocky, squarish. He is 9 months. Thank you all sooo much! Look
I have no experience of looking after dogs in such extreme winters I'm afraid, but I just want to say Dr Watson is the most brilliant dog name ever!!!!
I'm just a bit south of you and we've had winters when it was 10 to 15F for days at a time, so yes my dogs wear coats when it's very cold and especially if it's windy. I remove the coats if they're off leash running around but for walking coats are great. My situation is somewhat different from yours because my two are lab hound mixes and so have less luxuriant coats than purebred labs, and I knit Check your local pet store for best fit - there are some strangely made coats ... Online I like Ruffwear. Though you didn't mention this, like all NE US cities, NYC sidewalks are covered with salt at the slightest hint of snow, and this can make for sore feet. I apply Musher's Secret wax to their feet and it seems to help.
Hi and welcome, I love Dr Watson as a name, really cool. We live here in England so it doesn't get nearly as cold as you but we always put coats on our dogs if the temp is zero or below
Jersey is my second lab. I did a lot of reading on the breed with my first. Labs were bred for the cold. They have a double coat that keeps them warm. I wouldn’t worry about putting a coat on your lab. Just my opinion.
