The Ultimate Guide To How Cold Is Too Cold For Labs
We all know that Labradors are best known as “outside dogs”. But many people still worry regarding how cold is too cold for labs, and they can catch a cold in winter. Apart from this, many people believe that no matter how much the cold it will never make a lab dog sick is. In case you are a proud owner of Labrador, and your city faces extreme cold conditions, this page will be quite helpful to you. This article will give you complete information regarding do Labradors Get Cold At Night and its related information.
Origin History of Labradors:
Before knowing the answer to how cold is too cold for labs, let us understand the origin history of such dogs. This beautiful breed of dog is from Newfoundland, Canada. These dogs learn to swim in 35 degrees Fahrenheit of water and are quite comfortable in it. Do you know the fact that Labrador was first called by the name “St. John Dog”? The reason behind this is that they were settled by the people coming from Britain and settled at the Island of Newfoundland with this particular breed of dog. Soon this dig became an important part of the fishing industry.
They were capable enough to pull the net of fisherman that was filled with fishes. They can easily jump on ice to catch the fishes that escape from the hook. So, it can easily be said that Labradors were found quite useful in such frozen. The dogs were also found comfortable in extremely cold conditions.
Double Coat in Labradors:
Many people have complaints regarding the shedding of dogs. Their coat is so special that it cools them in the summer season and warm in the cold. In fact, many fewer people know that Labradors are equipped with double coated furs. Out of which, the top layer of the coat is called a Guard. It is made up of rough hair, which has a shiny appearance. Its main work is to keep its inner coat protected. The special coat is the undercoat of the Labs. This helps them to keep their temperature warm in winters and cold in summers. This is why many experts suggest that never shave or disturb this particular coat pattern of the dog as it will disturb its properties. This fur coat also keeps the skin of the dog dry even he is swimming for hours in water as it repels water. So now you must have understood the answers behind Do Labradors Get Cold At Night and do Labs love water.
The True Answer to how cold is too cold for labs:
In common, any adult and ideal temperature for labrador puppy is above 35 degrees Fahrenheit. They will need your protection if the temperature falls below this range. All dogs, even they are equipped with extra protection from winter, need help from us if the temperature falls below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. You should also know the fact that chilly wind can cause more problems with the labs, even if the temperature is in their expected survival range. This is because chilly winds can directly penetrate onto the dog’s skin by crossing their protective coat.
Effects of Cold Depends on Age of Labs too:
The temperature handling abilities of Labs depends on their age too. Puppies and adult lab needs extra care than young, healthy Labradors. But it is not true that young and healthy dogs can survive in harsh winter conditions too. Extremely chilly weather conditions can easily make a young Lab sick. So it is better to take precautions of labs in extreme winters irrespective of their age. It is better to take precautions ahead before making the condition worse.
Are labs Comfortable Sleeping Outside in the cold:
It depends on Labs to Labs whether they can manage to sleep outside in the cold. Many are fine with it, while some are not. It also depends on weather conditions. For example, a clear night is much colder than cloudy weather. If you feel that your dog is wet due to swimming or playing in the water, it is better to keep them inside. It also depends on the conditions under which the dogs are kept. For example, dogs that usually spend most of the time outside their house can also sleep outside at night too. In case of sick or diseased dogs, it is advisable to make them sleep inside.
Tips to Prepare labs to Survive in Winters:
Here are some of the useful tips that can prepare your Lab to survive happily in the winter season.
Provide Labs with Plenty of Water and a Healthy Diet:
It is a well-known fact that a body uses more calories to save itself from winter. Shivering too causes much waste of calories, and an empty stomach is much more prone to catch a cold. This is why it is often recommended to provide your dog with extra food in winter to provide your dog with extra calories. Similarly, dehydration is easily possible in the cold. So make sure that you provide your dog with plenty of water in his daily diet. In short, you have to make sure that your pal’s stomach is always full of adequate food and water, especially in winters.
Provide labs With Insulated Kennel:
Choosing the right type of kennel will make your dog much safer in winter. It is better that you buy an insulated kennel for your Lab to provide them comfort. You should also place the kennel on such a surface that is usually warm as cold surfaces can draw the heat out of its body through the ground. It is also better to buy them a spacious kennel so that they can be comfortable in it if needed to stay for a longer time during the extreme chilly season.
Get Your Lab Checked up Before Winters:
It is important to be aware of the health status of your Lab before winters. By this, you will ensure him safe during extreme cold. Ask your vet to check the overall health of your Lab, especially for Arthritis, as it increases during winters and makes the conditions worse.
Provide Your Lab With Proper Shelter:
Make sure to make them a proper shelter by which he can be saved from wind, rain, and snow. Only exposing the dog house towards the air is not safe. In case you have a dog house place, it under a heavy-duty flap-type shed for better safety of your dog.
Limit Their Outdoor Fun:
You have to provide some limitations for the dog to play outside in winters. Being exposed to a cold environment raises the chances of your dog getting cold. Excessive exposure of your dog to the outside environment can cause frostbite. So it is essential to keep the dog indoors as much as possible in winters.
In such cases, when your dog has spent much of his life outdoors, keep them protected by using coats or sweaters. You have to save your dog from the conditions of frostbite. Dogs that have health problems such as chronic or respiratory are more prone to frostbite. Your coat and jacket should be such that they cover the abdomen and chest region of your dog effectively.
Some Other Dog breeds who Enjoy Cold weather Conditions:
These days many dogs are bred to tolerate extreme cold conditions. They usually have a thicker double coat and a bushy tail which they wrap around their body to keep them warm. They also possess wide feet with snow repelling types of fur with small ears to save them from a condition of frostbite. Many such breeds of dogs are usually larger, and some are of medium to small size too. Here are some of such lovely breeds of dogs that you would like to know-
Siberian Husky:
Everyone remembers such a breed of dogs when we talk about snow or winter dogs. No doubt they are quite popular, and everyone remembers them playing in the snow. The dogs are known for their strength and energy, together with their looks.
They have a thick coat and an ability to bear freezing winters. Due to all such qualities, they are best used as sled dogs. They are intelligent and quite friendly but require decent exercise daily.
Newfoundland:
These dogs are fluffy and gentle and were bred to help the Canadian fisherman in their task. They are the best dogs who can survive in a cold climate and can even catch the fishes who escaped from the net. They are huge and face shedding problems too. They also tend to drool much. Apart from this, the breed of dog is quite calm and friendly.
Akita:
They are from Japan and were developed to keep as a watchdog and for hunting in the mountains regions of Japan. Akita breed of dogs is quite loyal, quiet, and noble types of dogs. They can be quite aggressive towards strangers and do not like the company of other dogs. They possessed webbed toes to distribute their weight evenly on snow and to maintain stability while walking or running. They have a broad head, curly tail, erect ears, and double-coated fur.
Some other winter breeds of dogs include-
- Keeshond
- Samoyed
- Alaskan Malamute
- Finnish Spitz
- Chow Chow
- The great Pyrenees, and many more
Finnish Lapphund:
This dog is a Nordic dog breed that was originally developed to move and guide the herds of reindeer across the Arctic circle. They possess a curly tail and have thick coats. These dogs are friendly too and always tend to find a company to live with. They are quite vocal and also are shredders.
Some Common FAQs:
Q: Can Labradors tolerate cold weather?
In general, Labradors, breeds of dog can easily survive in cold weather. This is because of the special double-coated coats that keep them safe from winters. But care should be taken that the cold is within its limit of tolerance.
Q: What temperatures can Labradors withstand?
Labrador can withstand a temperature above 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Below these temperatures, you have to keep some extra precautions to keep them safe from winters.
Q: Can Labradors be left outside?
Labrador can be left outside in normal cold climatic conditions. In case of extreme cold, you have to provide them with an insulated dog house to keep them safe.
Q: Can Labrador stay outside in winter?
Labradors are capable of staying outside in winters, but in the case of chilly winters, it is better to keep them indoors.
Q: Is it important to limit Their Time outside As much as possible in winters?
Yes, it is very important to bind their outside time during winters as they may have chances of catching frostbite conditions.
Q: Is Warm Food is important for Labs in winter?
Yes, warm and nutritious food together with plenty of water is important for dogs in winter to protect them from catching cold and dehydration problems.
Q: Do Labs have Double Coat?
Yes, Labs possessed double coats. The outer coat is shiny, and it protects the inner coat that has insulation and water-repelling properties. It is designed to save them from winter and cold water.
Q: Are Labs Are Designed for the Cold?
Yes, labs are specially designed to survive in cold climatic conditions due to their special double-coated fur.
Q: Is it True regarding The cold origins of the Labradors Retriever?
Yes, Labradors originally belong to Newfoundland, which is popular for its extreme old climatic conditions.
QUE: Is it safe for Labradors to sleep outside in cold weather?
In mild colds, Labradors can be left outside but it is better to keep them indoors during harsh winters as they cannot survive in extremely cold conditions.
We all know that Labradors are perfectly gifted to survive in extreme cold climatic conditions. But in certain scenarios, they have to be saved from chilly winters. It is important to take care of your pal in extreme winters to keep them safe. I hope that now you have enough information regarding how cold it is too cold for labs.