How Cold is TOO Cold?

[Carol and Banjo]

Today it's freezing in NH!  And this is JUST the beginning of winter!   Banjo and I get out everyday to walk 2-3 miles and then he gets to run and play ball in the yard.  Today's 22 degree temperature doesn't seem to bother him in the least.  (BRRRRRRR!!!!!!   I don't like it much AT ALL!)    We don't have snow on the ground yet - maybe getting some this weekend.   I'm just wondering - when is it too cold to go out for exercise?  He's got a wonderful coat of fur....and it seems to do it's job....I do worry about his paws.     Are there any guidelines?

UPDATE - After doing a little "surfing" I found this...
"Generally, many healthy medium or large size dog can walk for up to 30 minutes as long as it’s above 20 degrees F (-7 C). (Don’t forget to
factor in the wind. If the wind chill is 10 degrees than we’ll call the
temperatures is 10 degrees.) Lower than 20 degrees, walks of 10 to 20
minutes are OK but protection on the dog’s feet is highly recommended.
For smaller dogs, cut the time to 15 or 20 minutes for temps above 20 F/
-7 C. Below 0 F / -18 C, everybody stays in. If it is snowing, it’s OK
to walk if it doesn’t bother the dog and they have an appropriate coat
or fur, but shorten the walk still. Wind and moisture lower body
temperatures faster.
You can find further info here - 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It would be interesting to learn if there are actual guidelines as far as temperature. I mean, regardless of how cold it is, they have to go outdoors at least long enough to do their business, but beyond that, it would be interesting to research this. I suppose it would vary greatly from dog to dog, depending on size, age, breed, condition, and what they're accustomed to normally.
JD and I are still taking our daily walks, and it's been averaging about 18 degrees here. At night, we take a very brief walk, and he does seem ready to head for home when I am. But when it's light out, he doesn't seem to mind the cold in the least. The only issue he has is that he doesn't want to sit down on the ice or snow when we come to a stop.

[Linda and Murphy]

JD and Banjo,
We rarely have ice and snow here, but I don't think I would want to sit down in it either. It was 27 at my house this morning. I was running around like crazy...super zoomies. Mom finally got the hint and took me to doggy daycare. Woohoo!
Your pal,
Murphy

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

In Nashville, it was 16 degrees this morning. Peri could care less. She wanted her morning walk and could have stayed out longer. She does have a 3" coat right now though, so that must help :)

I don't take her out longer than 10-15 minutes when it is this cold though. Because I can't stand it!!!!

[Carol and Banjo]

Wow! DH is always saying we need to move south....for the warmer winters! I don't think so!!! : )

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

This is WAY under for this time of year. But it does get cold in Nashville (we are not deep south by any means - I don't think folks see that we are kind of in the middle of the country length-wise).

Your DH means South FL, South GA or South AL!

[Frannie & Callie]

Yep, it was WAY hotter in GA this morning....21 degrees! I just about froze my toes! Callie LOVES the cold weather.

[Linda and Murphy]

27 in New Orleans!

[Kim]

OMD!!!!!! It was 12 here in upstate NY today. Hubby has a list of 3 places that he would like to move to after our Son is done with highschool (not for at least 7 years) and Nashville is one of them. He can't wait to not deal with NY Winters anymore!!! I guess the grass is not always greener... lol.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Nashville winters are WAY better than NYC....just not today :)

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

9 degrees in Cincinnati this morning and Lucy and Sophie did not want to come inside! I can remember one or two mornings last year that the temps and snow seemed to bother their feet. They sort of walked funny. That told me it was potty and back in the house!

[Carol and Banjo]

I just found this - it seems like a reasonable rule of thumb.

http://www.exercisemydog.com/how-cold-is-too-cold-to-walk-the-dog/

[Camilla and Darwin]

I wish I knew the answer to this! Thanksgiving was FREEZING this year! I think it was under 12 degrees at the high point. Well, we only spent about 1 hour at my parents but since it's them, I knew I would have to keep Darwin out in the garage, in the kennel they built for him. We had just gotten him shaved shorter so I was worried he would be too cold. I am sure that he wouldn't be in danger... but I wanted him to be comfortable. So I bought him a sweater. I'm still trying to decide if that was a dumb choice or not.

I put it on him if I know he's going to be playing outside for a long time. Maybe it helps, maybe it doesn't. I do know it looks cute and he seems to like it. If I put it on him in the house he'll curl up and take a nap... perhaps he likes the feeling of something around his chest?