How cold is too cold?

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

So I'm sorry if this seems to be stupid but in all honesty how cold is too cold for our doodles? Today it was -6 and with the wind chill it feels like -31. I know they have fur and I see plenty of dogs out and about but I'm curious I guess. All Loki wants to do is go play around in the snow but I'm concered about his paws and for that matter anything else! This could be me being paranoid but I've been mulling it over in my mind. Any thoughts you guys have would be great!

[BG and Gavin]

I saw this chart which I thought was good:

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

BG, Great Chart

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

So... basically Luna would never be able to go outside in the Winter if we followed this chart ;)  I guess we could give her -2 for "heavy coat" and "acclimated to cold".

My rule is if it's -20 C (about -5 F) or below with the wind chill we don't go out.  

We will go for walks when it's -15 C (about 5 F) though without much trouble, I keep it short if it's that cold.  -10 C (15 F) is pretty much game for a nice, long walk because that's REALLY warm these days!

 It's been a killer winter, was close to -40 (C or F...) today with the wind chill.

[BG and Gavin]

LOL yes, but I think the key here is "prolonged." Also our Northern dogs are acclimatized and coat plays a factor.  I took Gavin for a little walk yesterday and when I was heading East/West it was fine, but when I turned to the North the wind off the lake was frigid.  I had a balaclava and sunglasses on and I could feel the moisture in my eyeballs freezing.  We hightailed it back home. Today it has been pee breaks only and indoor play.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

I usually let Luna's delicate poodle paws be our guide.  If she starts lifting her paws early in the walk we cut back and go home ;)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Use common sense. I've found sometimes my dog is so dedicated he does not have common sense or know when to quit.

If I threw a ball out in the yard he would stay with it until I pulled him off some days.  

Honestly, it is too cold!   

[Stella]

I think it depends what your dog is used to. I live where is regularly gets to -30C in the winter and we still go for walks. My one LD had a thick coat and he doesn't mind the cold, my other guy is thin skinned and he wears a jacket. They wear boots on the coldest days. Today we had a wind chill of -41C, we only went out for potty breaks, that is just too cold!!

[Pat, Mary & Cooper]

Same here! -40 C , that's Canadian winter!! Just like you said , our dogs are used to that cold but some days are way too cold to even put our nose out there!
Can't wait for that cold front to pass!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Sometimes at night before bed when it's below -30 Luna just sticks her nose out the back door and heads for bed.. holds it until the next morning lol.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

That's funny!

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

That chart is very helpful I probably should add those temps I had mentioned are in Fahrenheit, Loki has a very very thick coat and I woud say is very acclimated to the cold- usually you can see "steam" coming off of him when we are outside in these temps. He is such an "outdoor dog" at heart so I feel bad keeping him inside more but if he had his way I think he would never come inside- unless it's summer then he wants to be inside all the time! Lol

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Not a dumb question at all. I googled just this topic today. ;) I figure if Gracie is picking her feet up to get away from the frozen snow, then it's too cold!