Cold Weather and Your Dog Bill Cooper It’s true. A dog is mans best friend. Ever since dogs were domesticated, they have been making great sacrifices for their owners. Dogs will go to great lengths to please their owners including subjecting themselves to extreme weather conditions. When does cold become dangerous to a dog’s well being? First realize that all dogs are not created equal. Temperature that feel balmy to one dog may send other to seek shelter. Several variables may affect how dogs respond to cold. Coat type is an important factor to consider. Dogs with thick, double-layered coats, like Huskies, Labs and Newfoundlands, will be the most cold-tolerant. Most cold tolerant breeds were developed in Northern climates, and may have other physical and psychological traits that allow them to thrive in frigid temperatures. On the flip Sid of the coin, dogs with thin coats, like, Greyhounds and chihuahuas, will suffer most during cold weather. Coat color also affects a dog’s tolerance of colder weather. During clear days, dogs with darker coats will absorb significantly more heat than dogs with light colored coats. Other factors affecting tolerance of cold conditions include size, weight, conditioning, age and health. Small dogs have larger surface to volume ratios. The smaller the dog the more skin they have in relation to their insides through which they loose heat. The bottom line ism that small dogs generally get cold quicker than big dogs. Body fat is a great insulator. Hefty dogs stay warmer than skinny dogs. However, the health risks of being overweight far outweigh warmth benefits. So do not fatten your dog up for winter, so to speak. Conditioning and acclimatization play an important role in how dogs handle the cold, too. Being healthy and in good physical shape is an advantage when cold weather strikes. Gradual increases in colder temperatures gives dogs the opportunity to acclimatize as well. Forty degrees in October is less tolerable than 40 degrees in April. Very young, very old, and sick dogs are not as capable to regulate their body temperatures as healthy dogs in their prime. It reasons then that need more protection from the cold. Temperature as shown on a thermometer is not the only environmental factor that affects how dogs feel the cold. Wind chill is a major concern as to how dogs handle cold. A brisk breeze can cut right though a dog’s coat and quickly decrease its ability to insulate and protect itself against the cold. Dampness in the form of rain, snow, sleet, heavy fog, or going for a swim, soaks through the fur can quickly chill a dog even if the air temperature is not particularly cold. Cloudy days block the sun and keep dogs from soaking up the warmth. Watch for sings of chilling. If a dog is quite active while outside, it may very well generate enough heat to keep warm, in spite of cold temperatures. Generally, people tend to think dogs are tougher than they really are. This is especially true of owners of hunting breeds. Temperatures usually do not become a problem until they drop below 45 degrees. Cold averse dogs will begin to suffer at this point. At 32 degrees owners of small dogs, dogs with thin coats, and young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their well being. Temperatures below 20 degrees should raise red flags. Dog owners need to be aware that their dogs could develop cold weather health problems like hypothermia or frostbite. One of the best ways to monitor your dogs when it is cold is to keep a sharp eye on their behavior. If you see your dog shivering, acting nervous or anxious, whining, slowing activity, searching for a warm spot, or holding its paws up, it is definitely time to take them inside. Above all don’t forget that your dog is your best friend. It gives you its best every day of its life. You should do the same for it. It takes a commitment to continually pay attention to your dog’s well being. Establishing routines for feeding, watering and medicating as soon as you bring a dog home will ensure your continued attention to detail. The rewards will be a healthy and happy dog and a long and rewarding relationship. Take extra precautions with hunting breeds during cold weather. They are expected to be out in harsh conditions. Keeping them warm will keep them functional. Invest in a good dog vest for cold temperatures. Most will help with floatation, too, which helps dogs retrieving in cold water to conserve energy and stay warmer. Once your dog returns from a water retrieve watch it closely. Vests are good, but make sure the dog has protection from the wind via a box, or protected area in the boat or blind. In extreme temperatures, taking along towels to dry your dog quickly is good insurance. A wool blanket is a prize and could be important to both of you in an emergency situation. I have two Labs, BJ and Hooper, that spend most of their time outdoors. However, they have learned that when temperatures drop they are welcome inside. Should I become lax with my judgment, they scratch at the door as a reminder. As I write, BJ and Hooper are piled up on a blanket in front of the fireplace. They do take advantage. Remember, never spoil your huntin’ dog.