When is the temperature too cold for my dog to work outside?

Question

We go out to work every day, but part of our work training is we walk outside for at least an hour or two at a time, my dog is a black lab

Answer 1

If it is too cold for you it is too cold for him. If you are walking and exercising him for an hour or two that should be ok. You can usually judge by how the weather feels for you. If you really have to bundle up, put a fleece dog coat on him too. You can get them for large breed dogs in the cabellas catalogue or on a pet supply web site. They really do help to keep them warm.

Answer 2

it varies depending on the dog. each dog even within each breed has different coat thicknesses. If you have been outside with the dog as the temp has gotten colder.... the dog can withstand cold for longer and longer time frames. obviously -40 would not be appropriate. If your dog starts to shiver, then it is too long. but you can buy coats for working dogs that help. Just watch their ears and feet for frostbite. The dog will hold its paws off the ground if they are cold. buy some polar fleece booties for the dog if you need to work with it outside. I have run sled dogs at-40 because it was necessary to keep moving while traveling above the arctic circle. you do need to keep and eye on the dogs penis sheath and protect it against frost bite. You can do this by putting a large polar fleece strap around its waist covering the penis.. but if he urinates then you need to change it. also females nipples and bellies need to be protected. any Mushing store would have these supplies.

Answer 3

When it is so cold that the dogs hold up their feet because they are sticking to the ground, THEN it is too cold!
I follow this same rule with my Newfies. If they cannot make it across the yard without holding up their feet, NO WORKING THAT DAY. Sometimes, by the afternoon, the problem is resolved...but some days it is an all day problem.

Answer 4

PAY ATTENTION TO THE DOG SHE HE WILL GIVE YOU SIGNS