How much cold can my Labrador Retriever handle?

Question

Although here in the south we are talking about 30-40 degrees nights, can I keep her outside during the day with 45-55 degree weather during the winter?

She's an inside dog. She's inside when we are at work and she does have a crate. But when I am home, I take her outside in the big yard so she can run free, especially when I am cleaning the house on weekends, and she likes to stay out for hours.

NO..no snow here in Florida!! geeezz!

Wen you and your pets are used to 85+ degree weather 9 months of the year, 40 degrees IS cold!

Answer 1

My 4 labs love being out in the cooler weather. On the weekends it's hard to get them to come inside. They'd rather be out in the yard than in the house! Fall is the PERFECT time of year for a lab. My yellow even loves the snow. If she can go and plow through it and plop down, she's happy as a clam.

My dogs are indoor dogs but when the weather is around 40, they are in their element.

Answer 2

The ambient temperature is not the problem. Labs can do quite well in sub zero degree temperatures IF they are properly acclimated to the cold.
Temperature change between inside the house and outside is where the problem comes from, and the amount of time the dog spends in each environment determines how long they will be comfortable in each.
In simple terms the more time they spend in the cold, the more winter coat they will develop in order to withstand the cold.
Many dogs actually suffer more from the heat from being inside than they do from the cold when outside.

My lab is outside right now and it is 29 degrees.
I went to let her back in and she didn't want to.
(Course' she can hear the geese and thinks I should be out there too)

Oh,,,, and Labradors came from Newfoundland, not Labrador. (commonly called "the lesser St. John's Dog)

edit:
But is it 85+ degrees inside your house??
70 to 50-40 is way different than 90 to 40
What you are expressing makes the opposet also bad. Do you worry about bringing the dog inside when it is hot outside??

Answer 3

The suggestion of an obedience class is an excellent one. Read here https://tr.im/nycqQ
It will help your dog learn to behave around other dogs, and help keep your training moving forward as you'll want to be prepared for the next class. Also, a good instructor can be a wonderful resource, someone to help you with any questions or concerns about your dog. Leash training can take a LOT of time and patience, depending upon the dog. I'm not sure what you mean by 'horrible on a leash' but my basic suggestion is that you take a lot of yummy treats with you on walks. When your dog behaves well on the leash (not pulling) praise her and give her treats. Change direction a lot so that she learns to pay attention to YOU and where you are going. It's also helpful to teach a "Watch Me" command such that whenever your dog looks at you you praise her and give her a treat. About chewing, yes a Kong is a great chew toy. Some dogs also like Nylabone brand bones. I suggest also teaching a "Leave It" command. You use this when she shows interest in chewing on something she shouldn't. Then immediately give her something she is allowed to chew, such as the Kong stuffed with somethig yummy. This same command will be helpful on walks when she wants to sniff or eat something she shouldn't. Again, when she does leave the item alone, be sure to give lots of praise. I would look into an obedience class right away. I think that you'll find that a good obedience class can help enormously! Good luck and enjoy your new dog.

Answer 4

When it gets that cold during the day, I would give my dog the option of being inside if I could. Though they can certainly be outside on those days for a period of time, they should have the opportunity to come in and get warmed up. A 45 degree day with a breeze or wind would be quite cold for your dog.

Answer 5

I live in Tn. and it has gotten down in the teens a couple of times so far this winter. My black lab has handled it well in fact he seems to thrive in the colder weather, just make sure your dog has a wind tight shelter preferably with the door facing south. make sure there is hay or straw for bedding and a couple of old blankets to keep your dog warm. Zeek has withstood 8 degrees so far with no problem. if this is not helpful I would suggest you call your vet to make sure.

Answer 6

Labradors were bred off the cost of...you guessed it, Labrador. They were bred to swim in the icy waters. They have a thick double coat that is oily to make them dry faster, and tend to have more fat than Golden Retrievers...So they can tolerate cold weather, just make sure to put a heating pad under your dog's bed so that if she does get cold, she can warm up quickly!

Answer 7

SHE WILL BE COLD JUST LIKE YOU WOULD. This is true especially if she is an inside dog. If she stayed out all the time her coat will adjust SOME. But unless you are a dog born to Alaskan weather you will be COLD. Don't leave her out unless you want a dead dog.

Answer 8

no need to worry; when Labradors were in Newfoundland, they had to dive into freezing cold rivers. Just a few degrees lower, and the river/lake would be frozen, but the labradors didn't care!

The have a really thick undercoat and top overcoat.

Relax girl!

but just make sure you don't keep her out in the cold for hours and hours!

Answer 9

Usually, that's too long for me. I consider it depends on the guy and his face though. Certain guys may pull off long hair and other folks can't.

Answer 10

My lab loves the cold weather he will run and jump in the snow all day, the cold weather only affect this breed when we keep them away from their natural behaviors. Let them be dogs and let us be humans, stop treating them like humans and they will love you even more. I have owned Three labs from puppies until their death. I love my labs, but I let them be the dogs they are. Thanks