Uggh, I need help :(

[Smitherman]

I have a 12 week old GSD & was curious how cold is too cold? She is always wanting to be outside! She does have a choice whether she wants to stay indoors or outdoors. She is always outdoors! We did rescue a GSD & wolf mix so he stays warm & she likes to be with him. I do bring her in after I think it has bern long enough. However, she LOVES outdoors! I do have a heated basememt that both dogs can get to plus a dog house, and a closed in porch! However, she is always playing in the snow & just having fun. One time she had ice on her and didnt seem like it bothered her. The snow had froze on her back, when I called for her after about 15 minutes she came in all happy as if she was as warm as can be! I just want her to be comfortable and warm but this dog loves to be outside! She doesnt even get in my heated basememt! P.s this dog does NOT stay outside for more than an hour nor does she sleep outside!!

[Safzola]

Ha our dogs sure do love the outdoors but at 12 weeks i think you need to put your foot down and limit her outdoors ,at least in this cold weather,,,ice on her back is defo a no no,,,come the summer when she is older,then HAPPY DAYS

[onedogman]

They're MUCH tougher than you think. My 7 Mo. old was outside with me for an 1 1/2 Hr @ -5 F, No problem. I certainly wouldn't let them sleep out in very cold weather, or leave them out for several hours. When I use the snow blower my pup goes nuts trying to catch the thrown snow. When we came in the other day she "defrosted" and left quite a puddle of water. I think a lot of it is just what they get used to. A GSD could never take the cold the way an alaskan malamute could though.

[MadLab]

I think that some dogs can handle the cold weather very well even at that age. My female was outside as a pup until 3 months and she was well healthy. Shes a bullmastiff cross so a bit different to a GSD(A lot more fat). It was - 10 c or 14 f at the time as it was winter. I would imagine a GSD is well able for the frost and snow as well.

If the dog isn't shaking it isn't too cold for it. You could always get a jacket if your worried or it's showing any signs of being cold

[Smitherman]

She doesnt shake shiver or nothing! She acts as if it is almost 90 degrees! Although she was born in the winter time so maybe thats why, shes adapted to this kind of whether.

[Smitherman]

Weather*

[Liesje]

Just be careful she's not wet. There's a big difference between 12 weeks and 7 months...namely the adult coat. Baby puppies have very soft hair that can easily get wet and hold water like a cotton cloth. Older puppies and adults have their thick top coat which sheds water away from the body keeping the undercoat dry. Right now it's SO cold that she's probably not melting at all, but if she goes outdoors to in repeatedly make sure she's not getting wet indoors with the snow/ice melting and going back out still wet.

[MadLab]

I'd brush the snow or ice off the dogs coat when it comes in or in regular intervals when out side. I notice my lab/retriever/boxer mix gets snow and ice build up around his feet and between his toes and on the hair on his legs. I prefer to remove it cos he does react to the cold sometimes. Shivers a bit but i aim to keep him moving when outside.

[TommyB681]

We go for walks and Penny will let me know when shes cold. She will start pulling toward the apt

[mandiah89]

Originally Posted by TommyB681

We go for walks and Penny will let me know when shes cold. She will start pulling toward the apt

You have a puppy named Penny too? I named mine after Penny on the show The Big Bang Theory, in the summer I am getting a male and his name is going to be Leonard lol