2007-01-11 07:37:30 · 10 answers · asked by darrick 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I've read that Labrador retrievers were bred for retrieving fishing nets in cold waters. My dog loves swimming and he repeatedly took quick dips in the pond while it was about 25 degrees outside. He did get a bit icy afterwards but I brought him in after playing for about 20 minutes.
2007-01-11 07:54:19 · update #1
Your dog will be fine!!! A labscoat is waterproof !!!! afterwards feed him a warm meal and make sure he is dry.
Also try adding Omega 3 oil to his food to encourage a healthy waterproof coat. when he comes out of the water run your hand from tail to head-you'll see the undercoat is dry!!!
don't wash him often if you are going to allow these dips it removes oil from his coat
Your dog isn't dumb if he goes in voluntarily I'm sure he enjoys it-mine do!!!!
2007-01-11 08:43:22 · answer #1 · answered by Shiv 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Lab mix plays in the water in the winter. But not when it's super cold. The last few days it's been in the 40's and 50's around here and she still goes in the river. She's so active though that the second she gets out of the water she's back to running and by the time we go inside she's already almost dry and hot from running. We also never leave her near the water unattended and she never stays in long, just to walk around while she drinks and then she's out again.
She won't swim out far though, she only goes in up to her belly. I was awtching some Pits swim out after the rocks my son was throwing over the weekend. BURR!
I wouldn't advise allowing it in colder conditions.
2007-01-11 07:50:48 · answer #2 · answered by KJ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If he was too cold, he wouldn't go in. Just be sure that he isn't near ice that could trap him. He has a thick layer of fat and webbed feet for the purpose of swimming in icy water.
2007-01-11 16:24:17 · answer #3 · answered by Cara B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as the dog can come in and warm up, and you dry him off completely, sure it won't matter.
Our labs love diving into icy ponds when we hike, but when we get back to the car, they get towels off, and lie in the warm car on the ride home.
2007-01-11 10:02:05 · answer #4 · answered by jkc92618 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs do have a core temperature that is higher than ours. Typically around 102 deg. We will go into hypothermia in about 1 min in freezing water. The dog will only last up to 5 or 6 before he starts to lose control of muscles.
2007-01-11 07:45:58 · answer #5 · answered by Moon Man 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
You take a swim in it first. If it feels good to you, let him go for it. Some dogs are made for cold water, like the newfoundland, but labs are not.
2007-01-11 07:43:10 · answer #6 · answered by Just Another Godless Liberal lol 3 · 3⤊ 4⤋
That's what they were bred for. Keep an eye out for hypothermia and make sure the dog gets warm and dry quickly afterwards.
2007-01-11 07:42:20 · answer #7 · answered by SC 6 · 3⤊ 4⤋
WTH are you thinking doing something like this? The poor guy will be all covered with ice, probably frozen stiff in no time. You'll sap away his energetic demeanor and leave him a bitter shell of the dog he once was.
Jerk.
2007-01-11 07:41:46 · answer #8 · answered by LabFriendBldg180 1 · 3⤊ 5⤋
i think if you go stait insider afterwards it would be okay but i would be careful
2007-01-11 07:41:42 · answer #9 · answered by GrassRootsRabbits 3 · 1⤊ 5⤋
Uh.....No
2007-01-11 07:45:03 · answer #10 · answered by mom of 2 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋