At what point does a doodle need a jacket? boots?

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

As most of the country, we too are experiencing the polar vortex. We currently have 4 inches of snow outside our windy oklahoma home. Our little GD is currently 12 weeks old and doesn't mind the snow or the 20 degree weather. We have all tile, so i suppose it could be much worse for us as well. Her snowball paws get dusted off, wiped down, and dryed and our floors are no worse for the wear. 

My biggest worry and the reason for this post is that as much as she loves the snow and romping around in it, I know that as it melts in her fur she will start to get cold. I had decided before getting her that we would get cold weather gear this coming fall and so it will be more likely to fit her adult size. Now i'm rethinking that. Of course, if i purchase cold weather items now she will use them a handful of times before she grows out of them or it warms up. We like the ruffwear gear and it is PRICY, but worth it to us. 

My question, do you have cold weather gear? when did you get cold weather gear? what did you get? Does your dog seem more comfortable in the cold while wearing it (does it work as intended)? Are you happy with your purchase? 

George comes promptly inside when she starts to get cold, but I know next year she and I will be walking if not jogging around the neighborhood in any and all weather and I want her to be comfortable, and protected. Luckily at 12 weeks old we are able to wear her out with play and stimulation inside. I'm so glad we got her when we did! 

These are the cold weather items we were heavily considering. 

http://www.ruffwear.com/Climate-Changer-Fleece-Jacket?sc=2&cate...

http://www.ruffwear.com/K9?sc=2&category=12

http://www.ruffwear.com/Quinzee_Insulated_Jacket?sc=2&category=12

http://www.ruffwear.com/Barkn-Boots-Polar-Trex?sc=2&category=11

we just aren't sure how much protection GD will need/tolerate, and this LOVELY weather has gotten us thinking we need to be prepared next year (watch us have a 65 degree winter next year). 

obligatory picture of George in the snow. :)

[Dynamite & Doodle]

I consider myself a cold weather expert. I live in Manitoba and we are currently experiencing the coldest winter we've had since 1949. A typical day here since the first week in December has been about -40. Darwin comes with me every morning to walk the kids to school. It's a 15 or 20 minute walk each way.

This is his standard outfit for our long cold walks. He waits there like that, with one foot up until I'm ready to go. He's like a statue. As soon as we are out he's bouncing around, ahppy to play in the snow. He jumps into deep snowbanks having a wonderful time. He's really going to miss the snow when it's all gone in June. Until then, he can have his fill. His Parka is Canada Pooch and the boots are made by me. I didn't like any of the boots for dogs that I have seen in stores. I used this tutorial to make them. http://www.instructables.com/id/10-Minute-Dog-Boots/ But I did make them more durable and also put some light elastic at the top to keep snow from getting inside them.

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/erinw/media/patientdog001_zps65db923b.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/erinw/patientdog001_zps65db92...[/IMG][/URL]

I also made him a snow suit with long legs for days when there is fresh deep snow that is likely to ball up in the long hair of his legs. This keeps him dry, it's a kwik-sew pattern

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/erinw/media/snowsuitboots002_zpse9635a95.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/erinw/snowsuitboots002_zpse96...[/IMG][/URL]

My rule of thumb for getting him dressed is if it's colder than -20C (-4F) he gets boots and parka. If there is any amount of snow that is likely to build up in his paws he gets boots, even if it's not very cold. Snow melts in betweent heir toes and can get really sharp ice edges as it melts. Can be very dangerous. He loves his boots, he goes to them in the house when he wants to go for a walk. One time a boot fell off (wasn't velcro'd on properly) and he stood there with that foot lifted until I put it back on.

[Dynamite & Doodle]

I just had a look at your links. I did try those same ruffwear boots on Darwin before I decided to make my own. They are very stiff. I decided for the price, it wasn't the right choice for me. They were very difficult to put on, and all 4 boots are the same size while my pup has slightly wider front feet than back feet so either two of the boots would be too tight and impossible to put on or we'd be likely to lose two from being slightly too big. I mostly didn't buy them because they were SO stiff and hard to put on. I have to get 2 kids and a puppy ready ofr our -40 walk every morning, things need to be easy for me. One could buy 2 sets of those in two different sizes and then have 2 sets in the right sizes for front and back feet, but that's a huge investment.

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

very helpful information! we will definitely have boots, maybe just a light jacket. When she starts running with me I want her feet protected! I can't imagine this weather for that long! We get random, infrequent ice storms, sleet, snow, mixed with days that are 50-65 degrees from november to early march usually. If it werent for those warm days idk what I would do. :)

[Julie and Max]

Georgia looks so cute all snowy! I live in Canada, and normal winter temperatures are around -10 here. It can be colder at times. Max is six months old, and we are outside quite a lot. I did a lot of research on whether he needed cold weather gear, and everything I read said that most breeds of dogs with thick coats (like most doodles)  make their own winter coat basically and do not need to wear coats and in fact for a lot of dogs it will make them uncomfortably warm. Max does not have a coat, but when it is extremely cold like -20 I will try to put boots on him (they never stay on). I also read with a dog with it's own good coat, if you put a coat on it, there is a danger of overheating. The other thing is, if you keep your dog's fur very short then it might be a good idea to have winter wear as you've taken away their natural coat. 

Hope that helps. :)

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

The dog making their own winter coat makes sense! Our sheepdogs were always fine, they look kind of doodly, I just worry since she is primarily indoors. I think we will definitely do boots, and then possibly the k9 overcoat or something similar so that falling snow wont get her wet, probably not a heavy coat unless we decide to keep her cut short. I can not imagine living in Canada, but I bet its gorgeous! She has come running to the door a few times because of getting cold, she's also a tiny little thing so I'm sure that contributes. Thank you for the helpful info!

[Dynamite & Doodle]

Yes, this is true too. Darwin is inthe thick of his "dreaded coat change" so we've been keeping his body really short (about 1") and his legs longer in a lamb cut.

[Julie and Max]

Dynamite I am going to have to try making my own boots. I do worry about Max's feet because we usually walk between 4 and 6 miles a day and there is always snow. I tried the musher's secret, but it only stays on for about 10 minutes. I bought cheap boots, and only the back stayed on, and he absolutely ruined them the first day. Then I bought more expensive boots, and they are stiff like you said, and they still don't stay on that well, I did see that video on making your own so maybe I will try it. Max would hate a coat, he seems to always be hot, I do keep his hair long though, so maybe that's why, I thought about it for the really cold days, but honestly we don't have many of those (I consider really cold -20 but it sounds like for you Dynamite that isn't that cold lol)

Abigail I do agree that because Georgia is so young she might get colder faster, and I also think the winter gear is about knowing your dog and how cold/hot they are, sounds like you're putting a lot of thought into it which is good. :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I have no knowledge of cold weather gear but had to comment that George is adorable.

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

Haha! Thank you! We love her of course. These doodles have the adorable thing down pat. :)