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[OntarioSheltie]

Are you for real! Is it really that cold - how do you cope? I think i would go nuts in that kind of winter. We get down to -9 degrees and I find that unbearable, mind you I also find +40degrees absolutely unbearable - I'm just not up for waether extremes.

LOL, it can get that cold here too, you learn to deal with it. You wear many layers of clothes, no exposed skin (frost bite), you stay indoors as much as possible and you buy a block heater for your car so it will start.

And you buy coats for your naked shelties.

I don't put Sadie's on all the time, only when its very cold and windy or if she has to get into a cold car. The coat I got her (the Cloud Chaser) is really just a water proof wind breaker. Its insulating but isn't lined.

 

[Lacey'sMamma]

So i just came on here to brag i guess. I bought a knot a leash in black because i know it will probably get dirty and i also got her the knot a something collar (the rolled one) in green AND the webmaster harness in red. I cant wait for summer to come so we can go rollerblading with all the new gear!

 

[BarbV]

I tend to agree with SheltieChe when it comes to putting coats on Shelties.

I agree that there may be isolated cases (i.e. the dog had to be shaved, god forbid), but for the most part, I believe these are double-coated breeds and genetically they do well in the cold - even extreme cold.

And if you allow them to get outside and experience the cold, I believe - perhaps wrongly - that it encourages coat growth (and perhaps the reverse in the hot, hot summer months, when the coat works as a heat insulator).

I take my cues from my dogs. If they go outside and suddenly they are trying to stand on two or three legs, its time to come in. Usually that only happens when its -25C and there is not enough snow for them to bury in. Remember that snow is an insulator as well. So deep snow is not a problem for the pups.

The only time I would consider boots is if the only way my dogs could do their business was to go for a walk on salted streets.

Otherwise, I just open the door, and if they want back in again in 3 minutes, that's fine.

 

[Lacey'sMamma]

It is true. The cold weather makes all dogs coats thicker for sure

 

[danisgoat]

I tend to agree with SheltieChe when it comes to putting coats on Shelties.

I agree that there may be isolated cases (i.e. the dog had to be shaved, god forbid), but for the most part, I believe these are double-coated breeds and genetically they do well in the cold - even extreme cold.

And if you allow them to get outside and experience the cold, I believe - perhaps wrongly - that it encourages coat growth (and perhaps the reverse in the hot, hot summer months, when the coat works as a heat insulator).

I take my cues from my dogs. If they go outside and suddenly they are trying to stand on two or three legs, its time to come in. Usually that only happens when its -25C and there is not enough snow for them to bury in. Remember that snow is an insulator as well. So deep snow is not a problem for the pups.

The only time I would consider boots is if the only way my dogs could do their business was to go for a walk on salted streets.

Otherwise, I just open the door, and if they want back in again in 3 minutes, that's fine.

I couldn't agree with you more. My dogs LOVE to be outside in the cold. Preferably laying out on a pile of snow. I have a picture of Chloe standing in a tub of frozen ice. She preferred to stand on ice, then the back deck

My girls definitely grew thicked coats in the winter. I know that with horses, you blanket them in the winter to limit the hair growth, so I am sure that it works the same with dogs.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

In the fall/early winter I bought Sadie the Cloudchaser coat by ruff wear.

http://www.ruffwear.com/Cloud-Chaser-Soft-Shell-Jacket?sc=2&category=8525

After the stress of her stroak and being on prednisone for an extended period of time, she lost nearly all of her undercoat and a lot of her top coat as well. I couldn't have been more pleased with it, it was exactly what she needed. Its weatherproof, yet not lined so not too warm. It just kept out the wind, wet and snow). She only wore it when it was REALLY cold for a couple of months, before her undercoat came back in.

I think dog coats have their uses, but I wouldn't use one on a healthy sheltie, their double coats keep them warm. Their feet are really the only issue when it gets really cold, and they let me know by standing at the door or standing on three legs.