Snowshoeing with dogs?

Carriesue · 11-10-2012, 05:30 PM

So I grew up in Michigan but I've lived out here in California for almost 9 years and I never had a dog Michigan.

My husband and I were thinking about maybe going snowshoeing up in big bear or mount Laguna and I want to bring my two big dogs. I just don't know know much about dogs and snow/cold weather.

One is a goldendoodle who thinks snow is the greatest thing on the planet(though he's only seen patches in spring) and my GSD who would be four months when we went, is that too young?

Is there a length of time they should be out, do they need a jacket/boots? Any other tips?

thanks!

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**Castlemaid** · 11-10-2012, 06:18 PM

How long are these outings going to be? Dogs in general do well in the snow and cold, but a four month old won't be able to do too much, and may get chilled as they just don't have the body density to keep their body temperature up.

I go snowshoeing with my dogs all the time, but they are adults, used to the cold and snow, and I'm only gone on two or three hour outings. (They could do more, but that is about all I can do).

huntergreen · 11-11-2012, 03:08 PM

make sure you check goldendoodle for ice balls that can attach to the fur between the pads in dogs feet and cause some pain. the gsd pup is too young.

**Liesje** · 11-11-2012, 03:39 PM

The problem I've had with GSD pups out in the snow is that if they don't have an adult coat yet they just get really wet and cold because the puppy coat is so soft. It seems to get wet and hold water unlike the adult top coat that is slick and wisks water off the dog without it sinking in.

Carriesue · 11-11-2012, 04:35 PM

Thanks everyone, that's what I figured... We will just wait until next year then.

It's a two hour drive one way just to get to these places and I don't feel comfortable leaving the pup alone all day like that right now.

I still want to see some snow though, hard to get into the holidays in the desert lol so we'll just visit a mountain town nearby the mountains, get some hot cider, a slice of apple pie which this town is famous for and just let the pups have a quick romp in the snow this year.

11-10-2012, 05:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
Carriesue Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Carlsbad, California Posts: 1,241	Snowshoeing with dogs? So I grew up in Michigan but I've lived out here in California for almost 9 years and I never had a dog Michigan. My husband and I were thinking about maybe going snowshoeing up in big bear or mount Laguna and I want to bring my two big dogs. I just don't know know much about dogs and snow/cold weather. One is a goldendoodle who thinks snow is the greatest thing on the planet(though he's only seen patches in spring) and my GSD who would be four months when we went, is that too young? Is there a length of time they should be out, do they need a jacket/boots? Any other tips? thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App __________________ ~Ollie vom Grunenfeld HIC(8/29/2012)WGSL/WGWL/DDR cross - herding dog in training!

11-10-2012, 06:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Castlemaid The Administrator from the Great White North, eh? Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northern British Columbia Posts: 11,186	How long are these outings going to be? Dogs in general do well in the snow and cold, but a four month old won't be able to do too much, and may get chilled as they just don't have the body density to keep their body temperature up. I go snowshoeing with my dogs all the time, but they are adults, used to the cold and snow, and I'm only gone on two or three hour outings. (They could do more, but that is about all I can do). __________________ Lucia Keeta BH, OB1, TR1, AD Rottweiler/Hairy Dog mix?? Shelter rescue Gryffon Vom Wildhaus BH

11-11-2012, 03:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
Liesje Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 16,270	The problem I've had with GSD pups out in the snow is that if they don't have an adult coat yet they just get really wet and cold because the puppy coat is so soft. It seems to get wet and hold water unlike the adult top coat that is slick and wisks water off the dog without it sinking in. __________________ Liesje & the K9s Nikon (GSD) U-CH SG Alta-Tollhaus Bono SchH1 KKL T1 FO PA TF-III FDCh-S CL1-R UJJ U-CA HIT TT CGC Coke (All-American) VPC's Coca-Cola CGC, couch warmer extraordinaire Indy (All-American) Blue Horizon's Indigo Girl, flyball star in training Rainbow Bridge Kenya (GSD) U-CH Alta-Tollhaus-Krieger Lamb Chop CL1-R CL1-F RA HIT TDI TT CGC vom Blauen Horizont / Blue Horizon GSDs

11-11-2012, 04:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Carriesue Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Carlsbad, California Posts: 1,241	Thanks everyone, that's what I figured... We will just wait until next year then. It's a two hour drive one way just to get to these places and I don't feel comfortable leaving the pup alone all day like that right now. I still want to see some snow though, hard to get into the holidays in the desert lol so we'll just visit a mountain town nearby the mountains, get some hot cider, a slice of apple pie which this town is famous for and just let the pups have a quick romp in the snow this year. __________________ ~Ollie vom Grunenfeld HIC(8/29/2012)WGSL/WGWL/DDR cross - herding dog in training!

11-11-2012, 03:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
huntergreen Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,199	make sure you check goldendoodle for ice balls that can attach to the fur between the pads in dogs feet and cause some pain. the gsd pup is too young.

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