How cold is too cold for a doodle?

[Thuy & Hops]

The boyfriend and I are going on a cruise tomorrow! We don't have any family or friends here in Texas to watch our dogs while we are away, so we've reserved an outdoor run for Hops, since he loves being outside even when it is a little chilly. At the end if the run there is an insulated dog house for him to sleep in at night. We decided against daycare during the day for Hops because we will be hard to get in touch with while we are away, and if something does happen during daycare, we can't just fly right home. Today the weather is perfect--- high 65, low 40s, but it is supposed to get in the 20s while we are away! Is this too cold for a Hops even with the insulated house? Should we just have him boarded inside instead? The outdoor run has a roof over it, and there's enough room for him to do his zoomies.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would board him at an indoor facility. If you can't be reached, at least someone could reach your vet if they had to. You can't be reached or fly home right away if he's in an outdoor run, either, so I don't quite understand what that has to do with not leaving him at daycare. Either way, I wouldn't leave him in an outdoor run with a doghouse regardless of the weather.

[Sue]

How does he get fed? I know neither of mine would tolerate being alone. Mine do great in the cold, but they aren't in it all day.

[Thuy & Hops]

Each outdoor run is just for one dog, so Hops will have more room to move around than being inside.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The boarding facilities in my area have indoor "rooms" for the dogs that each have their own outdoor run connected by a doggy door. That way, the dog has both a private outdoor run and an indoor living space.

I am not sure what type of boarding facilities are available in your area, but any indoor facility must have outdoor areas for the dogs to eliminate and also get some exercise.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Not exactly true. Before I even got Luca  checked out one place, and they didn't take the dogs out du-e to a local ordinance or so they said, unless a vet certified it was a medical necessity. I realized I could never leave a dog I had potty trained in that situation. This place recently had a booth at a dog event and they now do take the dogs out in a fenced in yard but on leash.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

How strange. So the dogs had to "do their business" indoors? Yechhh. I agree with you, I would never leave a housebroken dog in a place like that and I'm surprised anyone else would, lol.

Even most of the shelters in my area have outdoor runs attached to each indoor kennel. The shelter where I got JD had three separate outdoor exercise areas.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

The doggie place that we used to use in Chicago had indoor rooms and then we paid extra for them to have a room that also had an outdoor run.  Dogs were taken out several times a day to a play yard or put into doggie daycare if they could handle it.  My dogs aren't spoiled or anything  lol, but I wouldn't ever take them to a place that only kept them outside.  What if it rains?  You said that the top of the kennel is covered, but rain can blow in from the side.

[Thuy & Hops]

He still gets taken out 3 times per day and gets fed 2 times per day. Basically, the outdoor run is like a very long crate, and he gets outside air. It's not a bad idea when the weather is nice.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It looks like there are quite a few dog boarding facilities in your area, and some of them look quite nice:

http://www.embarkly.com/dog-boarding/texas/grand-prairie

[Thuy & Hops]

This is where they will be staying: http://www.countryacreskennels.com/

I've had good experiences with this place. Hops stayed there last year, but inside instead. Above is a picture of the outdoor runs.

[Thuy & Hops]

The run is at a daycare... I have the choice of having him get playtime with other dogs or just leave him in the run (or an crate inside). Playing with other dogs present more risks of him getting hurt than him just inside a run with his own toys and space to run. I am just trying to figure out what is best for him in terms of safety and comfort. I just realized that I didn't make it clear that the outdoor run is at a daycare/boarding facility, and that he will receive the same care dogs inside would get.

[Christine & Shelby]

I would look at an indoor facility (although if your cruise is during the holidays, you likely won't find any space available at least that is the situation around here). We also live in Texas and while Shelby loves it when it's cold.... She doesn't live in it 24/7. Also... If Hops has been to Playcare before... Why not let him get good playtime with other dogs... It will make his stay more enjoyable. A reputable facility will have a plan worked out with you in the event of injury/illness regardless of your Playcare or not plan. When I travel... I always have Shelby in Playcare so she can play! That way when she is in Her run at night, I know she is pooped!