not like I want to..
but the dogs are bored. Is 10 minutes too cruel? One is a border collie/retriever the other is a wire coat jack russell mix, she'd be wearing a warm jacket.
Only 10 minutes? Absolutely not cruel, they'll enjoy the exercise and time outside.
The border collie/retriever mix will have no problem in very cold temps. Goldens actually prefer cold weather; their thick winter coats are such good protection, you often see them panting in the middle of winter while playing outside. My parent's golden lays down in huge snow piles when she gets too hot and just rests there, panting, in sub zero temps, lol.
The JRT mix should be fine too. A warm jacket is not a bad idea for him/her in such cold temps.
What you want to concentrate on is staying out of the wind as much as possible so your dogs' noses and other vulnerable places around their head and face isn't exposed too much to really low windchill temps. Windchill can bring on frostbite pretty fast, especially below -5 F.
I'd say you and all humans are more vulnerable to frostbite than your dogs are, but keep walks during really cold days like this pretty short…your dogs are not going to be able to really "show" you any signs that they're feeling the onset of frostbite. You can always take them back out for more walks, just keep them short, like you've suggested, 10-15 minutes, during these really cold days.
I actually just took my lab mix and APBT out to some land I own and I just let the car run for when they got too cold. It's -9 F with a windchill of -26 F right now where I live and my lab mix just ran around for like a half hour and played fetch with me before I made him come in the car and warm up. My pit bull, however, lasted only like 10 minutes before he ran to the car to get let in. Lol. They're both fine and have made it through even colder temps with no problems.
Keep in mind, my lab mix is a pretty rugged dog and can handle very, very cold weather. Not all dogs were bred to handle these temps for that long. Even most wild dogs would be bedded down with other dogs in their pack to keep warm during extremely cold times like this. But nonetheless, I'm sure your dogs will be fine going for a 10 minute walk with you.
powered by Yahoo Answers
February 10th, 2009 at 7:29 am
The dogs will be fine, just make sure you wear gloves and a scarf. The coat is perfect for the smaller one.
References :
February 10th, 2009 at 7:52 am
I don't think so. They still need to get out. As long as it is for short periods in this cold. My min pins are spending about a minute or two outside, then they run back in. My sheltie stays out about 5 mins or so. It was -9 when I got up this morning.
References :
February 10th, 2009 at 8:35 am
No. I take my Pit Bull and my Dachsund for walks. Keep it short - ten minutes is fine. I went for about 15 minutes a few hours ago and the pups were fine.
References :
February 10th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Leave it up to the dogs to decide if it is cruel. Go ahead and start them on the walk, if they are too cold and hating it, they will let you know, and you can take them back inside. If they are eager during the walk and having fun then continue walking.
References :
February 10th, 2009 at 9:50 am
10 minutes wouldnt kill your dog. The one has enough coat to withstand it.
References :
February 10th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Make sure they wear a coat and keep them active so they keep warm. Make sure they eat plenty.
References :
February 10th, 2009 at 10:57 am
If you feel like it is cruel do not do it. Just see how your dogs react when you take them outside. I would think it is to cold but there are some dogs that love the cold.
You dogs your call.
If you have access to a tredmill , tredmill train them (dog whisperer episodes)
References :
February 10th, 2009 at 11:08 am
If you can stand it, go ahead. It's not cruel: you're giving them their exercise. Just put coats on them and maybe run with them. If you can take them off leash that probably would be best: then they can run and keep warm on their own.
References :
February 10th, 2009 at 11:34 am
yes its Absolutely freezing!
if you cant find an alternitive, by a pair of jackets for them. by dog is very snug and warm in his!
keep them running to keep them warm
References :
February 10th, 2009 at 11:54 am
The Border Collie will be fine, and the JR with the coat also.
I stop walking my Dob at -20C…he looks at me and barks…
We go home and hop, on the treadmill he goes….
References :
February 10th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I wouldn't but if you absoulutely need to, I would make sure that they are wearing boots AND a jacket, because their paws are even more sensitive than humans walking on bare feet outside.
References :
February 10th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
At -18 degrees, frostbite will set in in 15 minutes. I don't think a 10 minute walk will hurt them, but it's the paw pads and extremities that you have to worry about, not so much the torso.
References :
February 10th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
They'd be fine on a short walk. And if you make it a power walk with stops for obedience training, a short walk would tire them out more than a longer, regular walk because a power walk and training exercises their minds as well as their bodies. Just bundle up well and take the walk in the warmest part of the day (that's a relative term).
A power walk is one where the dogs must walk politely on a loose lead without pulling, lagging way behind, marking, pottying, etc. unless you first call a break.
References :
I used to live in Wyoming and walked my dogs in even colder weather without any problems.
February 10th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Watch them to see how they are handling it. The BC cross probably has a good serviceable shepherd coat and should be fine for a few minutes. The JRT mix should probably be fine also with a good jacket on. If they appear to be cold (hunching up, shivering) take them back inside. If they're romping in the snow and having a blast, let them!
References :
February 10th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
No more then 10 mins walking in that cold with the windchill.
Right now we have minus double digets with windchills -30 to -40. Too cold for ANY minutes in walking other then going to potty and right back inside. And we have a lab!
References :
February 10th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Only 10 minutes? Absolutely not cruel, they'll enjoy the exercise and time outside.
The border collie/retriever mix will have no problem in very cold temps. Goldens actually prefer cold weather; their thick winter coats are such good protection, you often see them panting in the middle of winter while playing outside. My parent's golden lays down in huge snow piles when she gets too hot and just rests there, panting, in sub zero temps, lol.
The JRT mix should be fine too. A warm jacket is not a bad idea for him/her in such cold temps.
What you want to concentrate on is staying out of the wind as much as possible so your dogs' noses and other vulnerable places around their head and face isn't exposed too much to really low windchill temps. Windchill can bring on frostbite pretty fast, especially below -5 F.
I'd say you and all humans are more vulnerable to frostbite than your dogs are, but keep walks during really cold days like this pretty short…your dogs are not going to be able to really "show" you any signs that they're feeling the onset of frostbite. You can always take them back out for more walks, just keep them short, like you've suggested, 10-15 minutes, during these really cold days.
I actually just took my lab mix and APBT out to some land I own and I just let the car run for when they got too cold. It's -9 F with a windchill of -26 F right now where I live and my lab mix just ran around for like a half hour and played fetch with me before I made him come in the car and warm up. My pit bull, however, lasted only like 10 minutes before he ran to the car to get let in. Lol. They're both fine and have made it through even colder temps with no problems.
Keep in mind, my lab mix is a pretty rugged dog and can handle very, very cold weather. Not all dogs were bred to handle these temps for that long. Even most wild dogs would be bedded down with other dogs in their pack to keep warm during extremely cold times like this. But nonetheless, I'm sure your dogs will be fine going for a 10 minute walk with you.
References :
Zoology/Wildlife Science Major
Dog owner
February 10th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
I think so, considering most dogs aren't used to that kind of weather since they live inside. An outdoor dog has the coat, most indoor dogs do not. My GSD even starts holding his paws up after only being out for about 2 minutes.
I guess, for me, I consider it cruel for ME to walk in -18 windchill…so the dogs need not worry. Not to mention, my asthma is especially aggravated by extremely cold air, and I figure it would be pretty cruel to make them deal with me passed out on the sidewalk b/c I couldn't breathe…lol.
I went to the store and stocked up on chewies for them b/c I knew they would be bored with this crummy weather.
References :
February 10th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
No, its not, but bundle the dog up, boots, sweater will help keep the baby warm
and you need gloves, coat and a scarf, dont want you to get sick either
stay warm
References :
February 10th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
As long as they are covered by fur or sweater, they can withstand any climate that you can withstand.
You will know within a few minutes if they are enjoying it or miserable. either way, they do need the exercise.
References :
btdt