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 - 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Well it seems like I have the really "wimpy Doodle". It was in the teens with the wind chill today, and Murph and I went to the park for our daily training session. "Big Guy" didn't like the cold wind blowing in his face...not one single bit. Boo Hoo! The Drama King kept trying to get back to the car. Today THE CAR was the distraction I was working with....can you even believe it. There I am freezing my buns off to train this guy, and he's upset because it's too cold for him. Poor baby. Right now he's shoving the soccer ball in my lap so I will throw it, and he'll catch it. Yes, I am talking about a soccer ball. Big Murph is a total trip...never a dull moment. Guinness is trying to get me to throw the tennis ball...so much more reasonable.

[Phoebe's Mom]

We are transplants to MN from the east coast (not loving the winters here at all).  Phoebe comes from a breeder in AK and we always joke that of her 9 siblings, she drew the short straw.  That said, she LOVES the cold.  We walk 1-4 miles daily and she could always stay out longer than I want to.  She is not a fan of the almost ever-present MN wind (nor is her mom) that seems to stick with us 12 months of the year varying in intensity and warmth--or complete lack of it.  She does have occasional issues with the snow/ice when it is way below zero but I have just ordered some Alaskan musher's wax (oh! the things we who live here must do!), so I am hoping that may help.

[Linda and Murphy]

My good friend, now transplanted from New Orleans to Indiana, sent me photos of the snow with this note:

"Transiently beautiful...yes, but also a window into the winter hell that is northwest Indiana."

[Dot, Maggie and KoKo]

Maggie doesn't mind the cold at all but since its 12 degrees out there right now and her coat is somewhat short, I insist that she wears a sweater, maybe more for my sake than hers.  Once its on she's okay with it but putting it on is a whole other thing. 

[Dot, Maggie and KoKo]

KoKo  isn't allowed out in the yard by herself, just a quick out to potty and back inside, so I'm not sure about her.  I just know she too will be wearing a sweater.

[Stella]

Both of my LDs love to be outside whatever the weather.  They particularly like running around in the snow!  We try to take them out for a walk whatever the weather, but yesterday was too much!  We attempted our morning walk, within seconds of being outside the boys both started lifting their paws so we gave up and came back in.  Checked the thermometer and it was -22C!!  No wonder they didn't want to go anywhere!!  I have boots for the older one, but hadn't got them out of the cvupboard yet - I was in denial about it beign winter I think!!

[Tara]

Thanks for the info.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I think we may have found this point for Lucy and Sophie this morning.  It is 3 degrees with wind chill at -5 degrees.  About 5 inches of snow on the ground.  The snow is very crystal looking on the top and it must be sticking to Lucy's feet because after just a minute or two out to potty she turned at looked at her back foot and then was sort of limping into the house.  As soon as we were inside she was fine ........ so, my guess is it is too cold and frosty out today!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

9 degrees in NASHVILLE.  WTD?

[shelly]

Hey, Carol!  Just popped in to see what's up before work... the snow's coming... well flurries any way.. flurried over night about 1 inch... but it's bitter cold again... they're talking about a noreaster for the northeast... time will tell.... gotta' run!  

[Carol and Banjo]

Hello Shelly!   WTD an inch on LI?!!!  I'm in NH and all we've had is a dusting or two!!!   We ski and WANT snow now!!!!  Longing for a beach if I can't ski!!!

[shelly]

I know, Carol!  Last year at this time, I think we were knee deep!  We don't ski, but DO LOVE the beach! LOL  I can't believe the places that are getting snow and nothing for us to speak of.... we'll see what this weekend brings.... fingers crossed!