Should you walk your dog in winter?
You absolutely should walk your dog in winter. Walking is an excellent source of exercise for your dog, but also a way for them to experience the wonderful smells of the world around them. They get to socialise with other dogs, have some bonding time with their owner and wear themselves out ready for a cosy night by the fire.
However, before you take your dog out, you should take a look at what the weather’s doing before making a decision. If it’s a beautiful, crisp sunny day, for example, with very little breeze, a walk would be welcome. But if it’s looking a bit windy and stormy, you may decide that it’s best not to go. The walk should be enjoyable, and it’s likely that neither of you will enjoy it if it’s like this. You may also want to assess whether it’s safe to take your beloved pet out. Low fog or mist and hail can be dangerous, for example, so in these conditions it may be safer to skip the trip out.
If you do decide to venture out in the rain or snow, be sure to take a route that’s well paved and well lit.
Breed
Some breeds might as well be snowmen for how well they can not only tolerate, but also enjoy the winter weather. Huskies are one of the best examples, but other breeds like Samoyeds, St. Bernards, and Newfoundlands are all buff dog breeds that can tackle colder weather.
On the other hand, Chihuahuas (hailing as they do from sunny Mexico), Whippets (with their thin fur and lack of fat), and Pugs (with a snub nose, they can have trouble breathing in the cold) are all warm-weather pups.
No dog should be left outside overnight in the cold
Yes! Even even your arctic breed. Domestic dogs are not acclimated to the cold and leaving them outside overnight can result in frostbite and hypothermia.
Here is an easy-to-use visual chart that most dog owners can follow.
Recommendations are adapted from:
How cold is too cold to walk a small dog?
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