Should my Doodle wear a winter coat?

[Nancy Nicolai]

It's freezing here in Virginia these days and I was starting to wonder if my Goldendoodle Harvey should wear a winter coat. He isn't shivering and doesn't look cold. He really doesn't seem to mind at all. But when the wind is blowing in his face and it's feels about 1 degree, I feel guilty with my parka and heated vest on! His hair is about just right now, in between short and shaggy. I almost bought a coat today but I'm just not sure whether to spend $80 for something that will just annoy him! Thanks for your help!! Nancy

[Pat & "Tucker"]

Funny you mention this Nancy. I just now came back from a walk at the park. Chill factor is in the teens, wind gusts to 40 mi/hr.. I was all layered with hat and hood, gloves. I was wondering if Tucker was cold but he sure did not act it. He was still panting ( with the steam coming out of his mouth) like it was summer time. We only walked 35 minutes. I think for short periods of time, they don't need a coat. He almost pulled me down going after the blowing leaves, then I got a severe cramp in one foot and my face, the only uncoverd part of me, was freezing up. Drove home with the wrong foot on the peddle and screaming with the cramp. What we do for love! The fresh air & sunshine were nice anyway. I had to laugh after we got home and my foot felt better. Having a hot cup of tea!!!!!!

[Julie B.]

The golden retreiver part of your doodle has a double coat so I wouldn't worry about the cold. They are pretty hardy and as long as you're not out for too long or standing in one place your dog will be fine. I used to own goldens before I became a doodle lover and I'll never forget the time I was walking my golden, Bailey in the woods off leash and she ran over to a stream, broke through the ice and laid down in the water! She didn't appear cold but I hustled her home after that just to be sure she didn't turn into an icicle!

[Ann W]

Charlie has one and I just got Sadsie one. They both seem to like them. I got the last one from Lands End for $16.00.

[Nancy Nicolai]

Thanks you guys! I appreciate your advice and the funny stories! I think I'll just hold off on the coat, I can never walk more then 25 minutes when it's that cold anyway and he apparently doesn't mind. But, it I run across a really cute coat I might just have to get it anyway. It would be great for pictures! Nancy

[Sandy]

My Toby says "No" on Harvey's behalf. :) We had a wind chill of -25 Celsius here today, and he was playing and rolling in the snow like is was summertime. I have NEVER seen him too cold. However, once we get to 20 Celsius or higher, he's panting in the heat.

[Ann]

Samson does NOT mind the cold at all. In fact, when he lays on me, he feels like a heating blanket! He lays on the slate in my foyer right now...and it is 17 degrees out!! I think, and my chocolate lab was the same way, they run hot. I don't think they like the hot weather much. They seem to have high body temperatures!

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

dog's body temp is about 102 normal where ours is around 97 plus they already have a coat!

[Nancy Nicolai]

You all are right! Harvey doesn't seem to mind the cold at all. I managed to force myself outdoors today to take him for a walk. It wasn't easy because it was really cold and soooo windy! Harvey still wanted to rub his face in the snow for some crazy reason! He even took his moostick outside this morning so he could chew it laying on the hard ground in the freezing weather! He was so happy that he couldn't have been too cold!

[Sharon Austin]

I have just moved to Florida from Maine. Needless to say it's not an issue here. Anyway, I used to take the jacket for Lucy with me along with the necessary treats, water, and pooper bag. If she started shivering, I decided that I would put it on her and go home. She's so active that I never had to do so. I mostly worried about her feet. I checked them frequently, especialy if she went on the ice.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I know Harvey is a bigger guy, but for all of you with minis in the 20 pound range, Walmart has $5 sweaters that are adorable! Peri likes hers so much. Not sure she NEEDS it, but she LIKES it! She likes it inside and will sleep in it :)

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Cooper doesnt seem to mind the cold at all, but I do have a jacket for her which she wears when its raining (which is most days in the winter here in Vancouver Canada). Its so much easier to just dry her head and legs!!!!! I also make her wear it when the temperature drops below freezing even if it isnt raining/snowing. Her legs would shake if she didnt wear it, though she would still love to go for a walk. She doesnt mind the jacket at all - in fact, she knows its walkie time when the jacket appears and gets excited!

[ClarkP]

Don't worry, Harvey already has a winter coat... unless you did something silly and groomed it all off. ;-)

Doodle owners like us do silly things... we pay money to have our dogs clipped and then pay more money to buy them coats.