Golden Retrievers And Cold Weather
Golden Retrievers Can Become Victims Of Cold Weather Too
Winter is a nice time of the year, but in many parts of the country it gets extremely cold. Golden Retrievers are known for their resistance to the weather, but they can become victims if exposed for too long.
Their paws, ears, and bottoms are most prone to freezing and frostbite, whether they are walking, standing, or sitting, especially on icy surfaces, in extreme temperatures. They can also suffer hypothermia just like people do especially if they get damp or wet and are exposed to extreme temperatures for long periods of time.
Signs of frostbite include redness of the skin that eventually turns white or grayish, and evidence of shock in your dog. If you notice these signs, do not rub or massage these areas, and do not allow your dog to lick, rub or scratch at them.
Immediate veterinarian attention is needed. If this is not possible then immerse the affected area in warm (not hot) water or use towels soaked in warm water on the area, changing them frequently.
When the affected area is completely warmed, gently towel dry, and apply some Vaseline. Bandage the affected area, and seek a veterinarian for follow up as soon as possible.
If you normally leave your golden retriever outdoors, and you live in cold country, it would be nice, and might also extend your golden retrievers life, if you let him or her into the house on those bitter cold nights, even if it is just a blanket on the floor in the corner of the basement.
Personally I could never sleep a wink, if any of my goldens were outside freezing in the cold, while I was toasty warm in my bed, but that’s me.
Oh my goodness,…..”it would be nice….”?
If it’s very cold out, it would be necessity to provide shelter to your animal! If you can’t or would not want to do this, you shouldn’t have them!
Sincerely,
Long time lab and golden rescuer
I totally agree with the last comment. If you don’t plan on providing a warm and comfortable place for your dogs, please do not have them. Dogs are not happy being by themselves outside while the family is inside the home. They are part of the family!
Blessings,
100% dog lover
I have a black lab that hunts with me. It can be cold out there, but I take good care to keep him healthy and happy.
I have to agree if you are not going to provide your animal with love and attention like a member of the family, you don’t need them… give them up to someone who will take proper care of them.
Have a happy new years!
I don’t own Black Lab, but I know friend who owns, they leave the dog out side day & night & snow, even the temperature dropped below minus 10 degree Celcius.
They own small dog house with heater on it, with the flap on the entrance to avoid wind. They listen to the irresponsible people on Hunting Forum who told them as :No heater in my kennel, but the dogs sleep in their boxes inside the kennel in winter. Nights of -20 or colder I bring them inside. Last night me and my husband were out ( took picture of the Eclip of the Moon) for little bit over an hour ( from 1:30 am – 2:50 am)although we were bundle up from head to toe, our fingers became frozen. How can I convince those people, if it is too cold for us, it must be too cold for dog too ?
I’m getting back into snow shoeing and ski mountaineering.
My Golden simply loves the snow but I’d like a bit more information than what I’ve found on pet suggestion sites. Comments like “Don’t let your pet stay out too long” is simply not helpful. I have two mountain ranges within a reasonable driving distance and the winter weather really depends on what side of the mountains you find yourself. One side is -20 to +20F degrees all winter, the other is +5 to +40F. Then of course there’s elevation: from sea level to 14,000 feet. There is a HUGE range of weather conditions. I’d really like to find a source of authoritative information as to what’s fairly safe weather for a Golden and what’s getting into the warning or danger zone.
My Golden is about 55-60lbs 7years is fairly fit and simply goes crazy when I bring her up into the mountains.
Hi Doug, You need to be careful with your dog in temperatures that are below freezing. They will continue to act like everything is ok, until there is a serious problem like frostbite of the paws, or hypothermia.
They can’t tell you they need to get warm like a person would. Since they have no protective clothing, except for their natural coat, you have to be their protection, and limit their exposure to the cold.
Hope this helps
Glenn
I know some owners of hunting dogs, prefer to keep them outside in cold weather, so they can tolerate it longer when hunting, but I don’t approve of the practice. I think it is cruel and unnecessary. What if this heater stopped working in the middle of the night? I could not sleep in my warm bed, while my dogs were outside in a cold dog house. But that’s me.
I live in Goa, India. Temperature here is around 17-18 degree in winters. Can I keep my Golden Retriever outside at night? I would love to allow him to sleep inside at night but my parents do not think like this.
Thank You
That is way to cold for any dog to be left in, and it will probably cause death. You should have a good dog house, but should still bring your dog inside when it is below 50 degrees. Hopefully your parents will allow this, or else you should give the dog to someone who can care for it properly.
I would not be able to sleep at night in my warm bed, knowing that my dog was freezing to death outside in bitter cold temperatures.
I would say bring them in if it gets below 50 if they have no protection from the cold or if it get below 30 degrees whether they have protection or not. Dogs aren’t people and anyone that suggest otherwise isn’t that bright.
There are stray cats in the woods beside my home that have been there for years despite snow and bitter cold and dogs are considerably hardier than cats.
My Retrievers get noticeably irate when they are brought in for the coldest weather. I have no choice but to let them out a few times a night during which they look like kids in a toy store. Why? Because they have their winter fur and get too hot in the house.
I like my dogs as much as any other (sane) person, but some people take it to extremes.