Centsless

Hey,
I've been looking at this site and the forums since I got Lily (She is 10 months now), but never posted.

Anyway....

We live in the northeast so it tends to get cold in the winter. My question is should i be concerned with my dog getting cold in the house or outside? Do i need to supplement her bed with a blanket or should i be tucking her in?

Also at any point, if it's snowing or what not, should she need to have a sweater, jacket or booties on?

Thanks!

Soundtrack

I live in Ontario. My dogs do not need coats, booties or other accoutrements, nor do they need to be tucked in (although some do choose to sleep under the covers). If the house is comfortable for you, it will be fine for the dog. Only when it's extremely cold do they find it uncomfortable to walk outside, and then we limit outside time.

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LY909

I live in the northeast as well (Boston to be exact) and I was wondering about the same thing. I bought Porter a doggie sweater just in case since it is starting to get a bit chilly now. I have also read that some basset owners make these ear glove/protector things that keeps the long basset ears warm in the winter when they go outside. (I read this online so I am not sure about how necessary it is, but they said since the basset ears are so massive, they lose a lot of heat and the ears can get frost bites).

Centsless

That's what I figured. I told them they were being ridiculous.

Thanks

Mikey T

Booties can be a good idea though most dogs hate them if the dog is walking on side walks etc frequently that have a lot of ice melt, salt etc applied to them it can be very irratating,

A Lot has to do with individual dogs and aclimation. My mothers basset who general winters over in florida is much less cold tolerant than mine. Fischer my harrier who general spends more time outside than my bassets regardless of the weather conditions has the least amount of coat length, density and absolutely no under coat. He is often chilled as indication of shivering but he still goes out there on his own so it is not a deterent.

Personal I find the basset much more heat intollerant than cold intollerant. As a matter of fact the cold weather or being out in the cold increases their activity.

gsally

I agree with Mikey T about the heat. My hound was much more uncomfortable when the temp hit 90 and above than 32 or below. She loved the cooler weather and especially snow but we kept her off the roads and walkways that were salted. We did put a smart looking red sweater on her but that was just for us! When she was older, she wore a rain coat b/c she demanded her walks no matter what the weather and she seemed to mind the wet damp rain.

Princess Buttercup

So we have one of the cold intolerant shivering bassets. We should have named her Brutus I guess versus Princess Buttercup. Anyhow, we're headed to colder weather and would like to get her a coat. Mostly so she can keep up with her climatized farm dog buddies. Has anyone found a coat that's not only long enough but also works without showing too much chesthair?

Thanks so much,
Shelly

Mikey T

Actual coat length is not a problem Contrary to popular belief basset are not a longed backed but but rather simply a short legged on. The have a comparable chest size vs back length to most large or giant breed dogs and since coats have no leg basset unusual demension are not a problem. The only sizing problem is that most buyer of such items own small dogs so the number and variety of coats available to larger breeds tend to be small.

If yoy want the chest covered you need a coat with the velcro fastener along the back this allows the belly and chest to be fully covered wheras most coats only cover the back with a couple of straps acrosss the belly to hold them in place.

now if cost is not an object check out the coats from clean run they are of superiour quality than you will find in a pet store or most online retailers.

Cassidy

It never occurred to me to get Fergus a winter coat, but we live in Portland, Oregon and he has a rain jacket. It's more for our benefit than his, though he's not crazy about rain. Just keeps him drier and less stinky- now I just need one for his belly! A walk around the block and he's dry on top, but muddy as all heck underneath.

peterluquer

Lollypop has walked almost every day in the woods with temps falling as low as 5 degree's fahrenheit. She has never been uncomfortable. Only hot weather seems to get her bothered. Granted, she is exercising when we are out and she doesn't spend time in the freezing cold alone. On another note, when I was much younger, our basset Dragette used to shiver to be let in the house. Were pretty sure it was a clever ruse. Worked every time!

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