sookiesmommy

Hi Everyone,
This winter coming up is the first one for our puppy Sookie. I have found that the colder it gets up here in Canada the more she likes cuddling under blankets. I make sure in the home to try to keep her as comfortable as possible but I'm worried about the upcoming winter. Should I being putting her in sweaters or is that to much? and what can I do to protect her paws from the snow and ice? thanks so much for the advice.

Kiara'sMommy

This is our dogs first winter as well and she does not like the cold either. When we put her out for potty we try and only give her about 3 mins and then check and see if she is ready to come in. She is pretty quick in the cold because she does not want to be out there. I would say if you want to buy Sookie a lil coat or something like that then go ahead. I think their paws are OK in the snow for up to a certain amount of time. I just worry about our dog because she has a bare belly so I am sure she gets cold quickly. I read once that with a dog it can take only 5 mins in certain temps for their nose,ears,tip of the tail to become frost bitten. Stay warm up in Canada, were in Nebraska and it gets VERY cold here also. If you find any good basset coats or gear be sure to share

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~Kiara'sMommy

eclairs mom

Cold in Northern Illinois too! Our prevous Basset was fine without a sweater, but she had a good proportion of body fat. Her last couple winters I did give her a sweater just because of how much she thinned down with age. Eclair does fine, but our recent rescue Ethel that is skin and bones and way under weight is already shivering on early morning potty adventures, so she has a coat.

I have tried boots to no avail, but the biggest thing is to watch them out there, potty and in when its frigid, they will play when there's fresh snow to tunnel in, but they usually know when they have had enough!

barneysmom2510

Barney loves being out in the yard even when it is a bit cold. This weekend we went to see santa arrive by boat to our town. It was chilly and I did not realize barney was so cold until he was on my lap in the car shivering. I am going to get a jacket for longer excursions like that but for going in and out I would not worry. My 3 pound chihuhua goes out in new england winters without a coat to go to the bathroom and she is fine. They do sell lotions to put on your puppy's pads but no one I know bothers with that.

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-LISA


Mini daschunds Sadie Lou & Daisy dukes
Chihuahua Lola
Bassett Hound Barney

Boomer's Mom

I wouldn't worry about a coat or jacket unless you are going to be outside for an extended period, or going on a long trip.

Boomer burrows under the covers with us at night, which I kind of like. He's a good personal heater.

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Boomer: Born 4/18/2010
Biscuit: Rescued 1/26/12, approx. 2 yo

Chez Basset: Come for the kibble, stay for the belly rubs.

AmyB

Sadie & Spencer reacted differently to the snow/cold. Sadie did NOT like either. She was a princess & did not enjoy getting her feet wet. She did her business & was back in quickly. Spencer LOVED playing in the snow. I often had to make him come in to get warmed up. I never put Sadie in a coat & only put Spencer in one the last winter he was with me. Despite health problems, he still enjoyed the snow & I worried about him in the cold. He grudgingly wore the coat. As far as paws, I dried them if wet. If they had walked on salt, then they got a rinsing. I am anxious to see how Clifford reacts to snow. Having been picked up as a stray last January in Ohio, I KNOW he has experienced it. He doesn't mind cold, but he HATES getting wet in the rain. Sadie & Spencer did & Clifford does love being covered up with a blankie when it's cold.

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Amy, mom to
Sadie (ATB, 6/9/06) & Spencer (ATB, 8/19/10) - always in my heart
and Clifford (gotcha date 7/2/11).

Mikey T

It highly depends on the dog actual temp etc there is not a one size fit alls answer. While oall the basset here prefer the cold to heat Miriah who winters in Florida is not as aclimated to cold temps. so when she first comes up gets childed in the morning in here grate while awaiting agilitty runs. A blanket in the crate would probably work as well but she has a couat. Fischer my harrier has a very short ocat without much under coat if he is not avtive whell get chilled as well but the other do not have the same issues. A lot of it has to do with aclimation the dog theat spend more time out in the cold will deal with it better

Barney'spal

My Barney loves the colder weather...but he has a thick coat. For some reason, he loves the rain...he just loves going outside period. I may be wrong but since he has a dog door, I figure he has enough sense to come in when he's cold....hope I'm not wrong in that.

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Properly trained, a man can be a dog's best friend.

CatherineM

Santa is bringing Gandy a coat for Christmas. It will probably only be used for walks. The rest of the time when he gets cold, he just comes inside.

henry'smum

We have snow!!!! Henry is out frolicing in his coat warm as toast!!!