Winter’s coming. Are you ready ?

Jake, our Chocolate Labrador, is loving the snow

Some dogs love snow. They love to jump in it and get excited when it is snowing. Some other dogs don’t really care for it. It’s just inconvenient and comes between them and their walk.

Labrador Retriever, Husky and German Sheppard are dogs that thrive in cold weather. Doberman, Weiramaner and breed of dogs that are considered Toy, or small (Yorkshire Terrier, Lhasa, etc.) are dogs that can be hurt by the cold.

Labradors or any other mixed-breed, with two layers or hair or with long hair (like a Golden Retriever or a Golden-mix) will tolerate the snow AND the cold. Of course, that doesn’t mean your dog can be left alone outside for long period of time.

Yorkshire Terrier
http://www.akc.org/breeds/yorkshire_terrier/index.cfm

For dogs with short hair or that are smaller, they just don’t have the fur necessary to protect them against the cold. They can still play in the snow, but for shorter period of time because they can suffer from frostbite quite easily. If you have one dog that enters in that category, buy a pet winter jacket and if you can (and if your dog tolerate it), buy dog snow shoes.

In both instance, it is important to make sure that you follow these simple rules:

1. Check the weather. There is cold and there is COLD. 
2. If there is a lot of slush and puddles of water half frozen, don’t go out. 
3. Don’t be ashamed of walking with your dog wearing a jacket.
   Be proud because it is the smart thing to do. 
4. Don’t let your dog outside for long period of time. And don’t let your dog outside without supervision. Irresponsible owners let their dogs outside all day while they go to work.
   
   The fifth rule is different from the first four and it is, in my opinion, the most important.
    
5. Before you take a walk with you pooch, make sure you trim the little hair that sticks between its toes. Yes, you read that right. These little hairs are what can be dangerous. When you walk your dog, snow accumulates on its paw, between its toes and form little ice cubes. And, it is these that can be dangerous. Put into the mix sand and/or salt and/or whatever your town/city use to de-ice the street and you end up with something that has a real potential to hurt your dog. He might lick and eat those ice cubes and get sick from it. And let’s not forget the cuts your dog’s paws might suffer from the ice cubes. And whenever you come back from a walk with your, make sure you dry its paws completely and rub some petroleum jelly on the pads, to make sure they don't get too dry and crack.

It is really simple to protect your dog against the cold weather. It is mostly common sense that will keep your dog happy and healthy. Because in the end, isn’t what’s the most important?