Cold Dog

[rockyracoon]

Do dogs get cold on their walks in this weather? We've always had Japanese Akita's and they really don't feel the cold, so we've never worried. But, now we have Rodney, a Bullmastiff who's coat is not very thick. Do you think he'd benefit from a coat. He doesn't seem perturbed on his walks, and charges out of the door in excitement, but I'd hate to think he was cold.

[bookbinder]

Give him a coat, and see how he reacts.

[Redhelen72]

How about a swanky jumper?
It’s their paws I worry about, I have bought boots for Colin and Jess and they soon got used to them, I bought them for whilst they were swimming and because of antifreeze being put down in cold weather

[tiggerblue10]

I'd try boots as well as their paw pads could freeze. Similar in the hot summer when their pads could burn.

[wolf63]

I think their normal body temperature is higher than ours so he might not feel the cold. You could get him a jersey to keep him warm.

I bought my dog a waterproof jacket. At the first opportunity it was chewed and partly eaten. He didn't like wearing it.

[rockyracoon]

It is the paws I worry about the most and the floor was absolutely freezing this morning. He's such an excitable idiot, he probably doesn't realise. Any brands that you can recommend?

[Meaghan27]

If you dog is not showing signs of being cold ie shivering and not wanting a walk then you are wasting your money. A dog too hot is more dangerous than too cold.

[tiggerblue10]

Not sure about brands but these look good. There's loads on amazon.
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[maggiebee]

Was brought up with all kinds of dogs and not one ever had a coat. Mind you they didn't get tinned meat either - fed on bones, scraps and liver and lights from the butcher.

[Peter Pedant]

if the dog is cold it will tell you
seek out warmth, sit by a fire and so on

Mine jumped onto the bed ( it was night) and was shivering.

Cold paws
They have a heat-exchanger counter current mechanism
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/2012/10/why-dont-ducks-get-cold-standing-on-ice/#:~:text=In%20humans%20and%20many%20other,comes%20back%20into%20the%20body.

[DTCwordfan]

a bit like some folks on here, Peter, the heat-exchanger that is....

[Redhelen72]

They are the ones that I bought tigger!

[pastafreak]

Sally, though skinny and with just a sparse coat of fur, never seemed bother. Her coat did get thicker in the winter. When she was about 6-7, I bought her a proper coat for sighthounds. Oh, and a snood for her long neck.

I still have them...

[tiggerblue10]

They seem reasonably priced, Helen but it looks like they're from smaller dogs. There are some for larger dogs on there too. I goggled Akita's and are larger dogs.

[Tilly2]

My dog, Dylan, loves this frosty weather. On his off leash walks, he bombs about, throws himself on the ground and rolls around in the frost. This morning, his head was covered with frosty cobwebs. I wish I'd had my camera with me.
He doesn't seem to need a coat.

[Redhelen72]

Colin and Jess don’t wear coats or jumpers but I do cover their feet

[rockyracoon]

I've just let him out the back door into 6 inches of snow. Delighted he was. Zoomying around the garden.

The pristine snow now looks a right mess.

Thanks for all your answers.

[fitdarren]

My dog is the same as Tilly's. He has to make do with the frost because we've had no snow. I wish it would snow for him.

[lankeela]

I have a small short coated breed, and I only ever use a coat for an oldie who does not run around as much as the younger dogs.

[douglas9401]

Cold dog, hot dog, there's only one way to sort this out...

[rockyracoon]

Well, he went out into 15cm of snow. Two hours later and he won't come in. He's loving it. I guess I don't have to worry about him being cold.

He actually wants me to go out there.