Gearing for winter

[Amy]

Hi All!

Living in New England, we have already had our 1st snow fall/storm!  It got me to thinking about what is to come......

 

I have a 1 year old Golden Doodle, Maggie, that has a fairly thin coat.  Was curious as to how doodles like the cold weather?  We are avid walkers, and plan on venturing out no matter how cold it may get. 

I was wondering if a coat, etc is needed for them or not?  She appeared to love the snow over the past weekend.  She came from TN, and was so excited to see the white stuff.

Any advice is appreciated!! 

 

AMY

 

[Donna K & Quincy]

Something else we have in common, yucky winters. I like to x-country ski and snowshoe, I don`t get to do enough of either.

[Amy]

Thanks for the information.

Exactly How do you even get a boot on your dog? I can imagine the challenge that might be to get 4 on!! 

I will need to convince my husband on the boots for sure:  he thinks I am crazy I wanted a jacket!!  :-)

What we do for our kids!! 

Thanks!

[Debbie and Thomas]

Maggie looks like a snowball magnet!  We live in Toronto..so we basically will endure the same weather as you will in New England.  The farmer near our cottage told us that it was going to be a very COLD ICY SNOWY winter!  Yechh.  He said he can tell by the way the animals are acting now.  So I have a XXL coat for my doodle Thomas ready.  Never tried to boots yet.  We just have to deal with the snow attached to his feet.  Just a tip though...keep the hairs in between the pads VERY short in the winter or else it packs in there nicely.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

It does help keep the snow clusters off and drier! I agree with the boots for walking they also have a wax you could put on the pads for salt or cracking the boots will keep them warm.

[Rory]

For Canadian winters (Toronto and Montreal) I have been thrilled with the muttluks fleece lined boots and fleece jogger! Muttluks also has full-on snowsuits (http://www.muttluks.com/product_home.php?cat=3) but they seemed a bit heavy to me. 

[Joyce & Wilson]

Here's a little hint about avoiding the snowballs clinging to doodles legs and body.  I let Wilson out in the garage for about 10 mins to cool off his fur before going out in the snow.  I'll throw around a ball in the garage or play chase in there. It allows his fur to get the same temp as outside and the snow wont melt and cling on.

[Jodi and Stella]

There is this wax-like stuff called "Musher's Secret" you can rub on their pads to protect them from snow and ice.