Good small breed dog for cold climate?

Question

First let me say that this will be an inside dog! But I enjoy walks, and would like a small breed dog for my apartment that would do okay in Oregon (I am moving there in 2 months, so it would no longer be a small puppy when winter sets in). I've researched breeds as far as temperment, and I believe I'd be happiest with either a miniature poodle, shih tzu, or bichon frise. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

You are right on with the breeds, I say poodle or Bic hon. Shih tuz don't do well as they get older. I know from personal experience (had a Poodle for 18yrs) Poodles are good up to about 10-12yrs with taking on long walks. I personally ran 4-5miles with mine. Good dog.
I recently got Schnauzer he is pretty good with the cold. But I do dress him. When it is really cold and snowy out. I put a sweater then a windbreaker on him. That seems to be the trick. I keep his coat short. I am sure if I let it fill in more he may not need one.
If you don't mind hair all over your apartment. I heard of Mini Husties, and Pomeranian look like they have enough hair to go around.
But a Poodle is your best choice.

Answer 2

bichons do not get thick enough coats. They would freeze. Poodles would probably be ok with a winter coat, and shih tzus can go either way.
a smaller dog that can withstand outside temps easily is an eskimo dog (white fluffy cotton ball dogs). I do not know their specifc breed name, that could be a general one.

What side of the mountains will you be on in Oregon? If you are on the coastal side, you are not going to get that cold of temps- mostly just rain and about 40s or so. On the other side, you will most likely get nothing but cold or dumped on with snow.

Answer 3

An American Eskimo is the dog Danielle is thinking of. You can get them in toy size as small as 10 pounds. They are beautiful little energetic dogs that can do well in an apartment but need to go for walks every day. They have a wonderful disposition & sparkling personality. Thy have a thick collar of fur around their necks and bushy plumed tail. The are very low maintenance, never need to be clipped and yet their double coat of white fur is always beautiful. Just a good brushing once a week will do. The male dogs have a thicker coat of fur around the neck tail, rump and legs which makes them very stunning to see when them walking down the street.

They are very intelligent and not known for any diseases and live long lives. They prefer cold weather to warm.

My mother-in-law has one and I don't even see dog hair laying around nor seasonal shedding so I don't think they shed much that I know of. Her dog loves the snow so much! You would never have to put a coat on that breed of dog either.

Answer 4

My experience has been in Alaska. I had a Boston Terrier; they are not recommended for cold weather. This was an inherited dog that I loved very much; a Boston would have not have been my first choice for Alaska. We did just fine with long walks in cold weather. I know sometimes people think that dogs will do whatever the owner wants even if the dog is not comfortable. I can positively say that my dog LOVED walks. I let her lead the way; we went home when she wanted to. She wanted to go home long after I did. The only problem we had was that when we were waiting for lights to cross the road, her little feet would get cold. She would jump up for me to hold her during that time. As long as we kept moving, that is what she wanted to do.

She was an inside dog, who could go outside whenever she wanted to. In very cold weather she did not want to go out in the yard very often, but she did always want to go for walks.

There are little coats and boots you can get for dogs. My did not want to wear them, but you can get a young dog used to them easily.

Dogs acclimate to climate much the same as people do. Oregon is not anywhere near as cold as Alaska. I know it rains a lot more in Oregon and that may be an issue. Getting a dogs fur very wet is a good way for the dog to get a chill, which lowers its resistance.

The best way to choose a small dog, if you like to walk, is to choose a breed that likes to exercise. That will be much more important than the weather issue.

Good luck to you in your new home and with your new dog.

Answer 5

shih tzu's are a good breed for a cold climate. I live in Oregon also and I have a chihuahua and she is a short haired chihuahua and she does great durring the winter. she has lots of coats and booties and all that good stuff. you could get a small breed and it would be good durring the winter but you would have to get them a coat or a sweatshirt or something. you must be careful with them being outside also because smaller dogs have a tendancy to get hypothermia and other bad health conditions. or they could also freeze. this is common in smaller breeds. if you get a smaller dog then just be carefull with them and they should do just fine.

Answer 6

All of those would be pretty good choices. Another GREAT dog would be a Cairn Terrier. They are the hardiest of the terriers, yet they are still cute and sweet. Plus they get enough energy while running around the apartment. They can stand very VERY cold weather, also.

Answer 7

we live in michigan and certainly have cold snowy winters, we also have a toy poodle who loves to go for walks. He has his own wardrobe of sweaters, t-shirts, coats and boots. He is so smart and affectionate, he loves kids and other animals, another small dog with a great temperment is a Papillon.

Answer 8

toy fox terriers are the best dogs on earth. mine is ten pounds full grown, short hair, doesn't bark, and very friendly and playful. they need a lot of exercise because they are so hyper but that's endearing about them. they need a little jacket or something in the cold though because they are very lean and have short hair, but if my dog can take northeast winters I think oregon would be fine.

Answer 9

Definatly a Yorkie, I have a little 7 mnth old Boy. He is the best dog ever, You do not realize until you own one that they are actualy like a child or one of your children, their personalities are very smart. They are very luvable and sincere. I would recomend this dog to anyone. Anyway good luck with whatever little one you choose and also with your move!

Answer 10

Definitely the bichon frise.