How Cold is TOOOO COLD?

[Brooke&Ryan]

Hey All,
I have yet to get a clear answer to this question:


In PA we get some cold winter days, how cold is to cold for a Rottie and how long is the max they should be outside with OR with out a shelter when it is below the minimum temp out? I assume that if they have a well insulated shelter to go into the temp does not matter all that much. Just wanted to get a good idea of how long is too long outside for walks and outdoor time this winter!


Thanks!

Ryan

[mmgy]

I think you're overthinking this. Now I'm not in Pennsylvania, and I may get blasted by someone who is. But the bigger issue with dogs being outdoors is when dogs are left outdoors all the time. You have a young healthy dog with a thick black coat. Even in the winter the sun shines, and he will absorb plenty of heat to spend entire afternoons outside. If he's walking or playing, he'll be generating enough energy to keep him warm.

For dogs that live predominantly indoors, I don't think there are any time limits till they are older or in ill health.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Thanks!

Julius will only be outside when we're home. I was just curious what temp. was too cold.

:)
Brooke

[mmgy]

For no more time than he will be out, I don't think any temperature is a problem. Of course, one influence would be how wet it is out, but even then, I think at his age and general good health, getting a little wet wouldn't hurt him either.

Just remember that a dog's got to spend a little time being a dog.;) ;) ;)

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally posted by mmgy
Just remember that a dog's got to spend a little time being a dog.;) ;) ;)

Ahhh yes, we have to keep on repeating that mantra over and over again to ourselves.....p

:)
Brooke

[samanthac]

Anything below 60 degrees.

....oh wait, you were talking about the dogs. ;) Unfortunately mine LOVE the cold. The colder it is the better. I really think their secret plan is to see how funny it would be to turn me into a giant mom-sicle. :D

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally posted by samanthac
Anything below 60 degrees.

....oh wait, you were talking about the dogs. ;) Unfortunately mine LOVE the cold. The colder it is the better. I really think their secret plan is to see how funny it would be to turn me into a giant mom-sicle. :D

I totally agree Samantha. I think this was Julius' evil plan when we got him in January. He would just bounce around the yard while I'm shaking & saying, "GOOOOO POTTTTYYYY JULES!" Brrrrrr! At least I don't have a puppy anymore who NEEDS to pee & he's waiting patiently at the door while mom puts on her boots, scarf, mittens, hat & jacket. At least he learned some bladder control.

:)
Brooke

[samanthac]

Originally posted by Brooke&Ryan
I totally agree Samantha. I think this was Julius' evil plan when we got him in January. He would just bounce around the yard while I'm shaking & saying, "GOOOOO POTTTTYYYY JULES!" Brrrrrr! At least I don't have a puppy anymore who NEEDS to pee & he's waiting patiently at the door while mom puts on her boots, scarf, mittens, hat & jacket. At least he learned some bladder control.

:)
Brooke

HAHAHAHHA...oh boy do I remember that. And here we go again. Little Ukon will be coming home smack in the middle of winter...end of January. And there is NOTHING like it being freezing cold AND 1 a.m.....3 a.m....5 a.m. :D

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally posted by samanthac
HAHAHAHHA...oh boy do I remember that. And here we go again. Little Ukon will be coming home smack in the middle of winter...end of January. And there is NOTHING like it being freezing cold AND 1 a.m.....3 a.m....5 a.m. :D

Phew! Better you than me. I don't think I could cope with another winter of going outside EVERY 30 minutes.....

But isn't this supposed to be your husband's dog???? So maybe you'll be exempt.....:p

:p
Brooke

[stevenc]

Originally posted by Brooke&Ryan
Phew! Better you than me. I don't think I could cope with another winter of going outside EVERY 30 minutes.....

But isn't this supposed to be your husband's dog???? So maybe you'll be exempt.....:p

:p
Brooke

Hi Brooke! I don't go outside in the winter!:D Just kidding Samantha;) I love the cold weather at 6:00 am in the morning! :o Should be fun raising another Male this winter!:) Thanks Honey!!!;) My dog! Yeah right!! Not when he poops in the house!:D Hey Brooke, make sure you bring your guy to New York. Lots of fun!;)

[Alaskan]

While in Alaska cerberus loved being outside even when it got to minus 30 --60 below zero but he only went out long enough to do his business and get a little exercise before running back inside ten minutes later.:)

The military vets had a scale to go by when we lived in Alaska for different breeds of dogs. Rotties or dogs with coats like their's were supose to be brought in after twenty minutes TOPS once the temp dropped to zero otherwise if caught we could've been fined. Ofcourse we never had that problem.:)

I don't think you're going to run into this problem though and I agree with the others. Your rottie will let you know when he's cold and wants back inside.:)

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally posted by stevenc
Hi Brooke! I don't go outside in the winter!:D Just kidding Samantha;) I love the cold weather at 6:00 am in the morning! :o Should be fun raising another Male this winter!:) Thanks Honey!!!;) My dog! Yeah right!! Not when he poops in the house!:D Hey Brooke, make sure you bring your guy to New York. Lots of fun!;)

Good luck on all of the cold weather. I hope this winter won't be as bad as last winter. Brrrrrr! I had to invest in a good pair of Columbia gloves and hat. You'll have to keep us updated on your midnight bathroom times with little Ukon when the weather is -10. I'll be looking forward to those updates. :p :p

:)
Brooke

[nick teifke]

I usually bundle up and go out with my dogs. When Im on the verge of freezing to death, I bring the herd in :) We usually just make more frequent, but shorter trips outside in the winter. Then they can have 5 minutes or so of crazy play in the snow time, and no one freezes to death :)

[Brandysmom]

My Rotts love the cold but when there's snow on the ground you need to watch for ice acumulating between their pads and causing forstbite. Bundling up yourself is bad enough when a dog's standing there crossing it's legs, ;) but trying to get booties on them before pottie time is really rough. :D
Usually if it's too cold for them, they don't want to stay out for any longer then necessary. If they're enjoying it, just try to keep yourself warm and enjoy watching them.

[JaniceH]

Hi,

I don't think it gets quite as cold here in England.

However, From December onwards, I will be taking my 3 month old puppy, Teazle, to work with me during the day. My boss has had a kennel built. It has a covered run, and a proper "Fido" type kennel at the end. I am putting a dog bed and blankets in the actual kennel to keep her warm through the winter days. Obviously she will come home with me and is an indoor dog.

She is only a little thing and hasn't got heaps of puppy fat on her. I do worry, although she hasn't seemed to mind the rain and cold when she goes into the garden.

I hope this will be ok for her. Will she be warm enough ?