do your dogs have winter boots?

[booyhoo]

am just thinking ahead to when it will snow. surely i can't take WB out in snow with bare feet? it would hurt him wouldn't it? do you all have boots for yours and where can i get some?

last about 5 minutes I reckon

they don't look very warm or stay-on-able so do you not use anything in the snow?

They're dogs. They have paws and fur and do not need shoes. Think huskies.

i know, but indoor dogs aren;t used to snow like huskies are.

It depends what kind of snow it is as to whether its an issue.

The only time I find my dogs object (Cavaliers) is when its wet in places and clumps/ refreezes between their claws/ pads. This is not very frequent but I have considered putting mittens on them.

If its fluffy and dry (really cold) it doesn't appear to affect them. I do put coats on mine because they are only little dogs.

Again if its compacted or just above freezing they get wet and a bit muddy but a towel sorts that out.

NO.

This is my dog in the snow

I reckon if she does not need boots, then no dog does.

:o

She is Maltese/Cavalier.

thanks, ANT. WB is only 5 months so this is our first winter together.

Dogs have survived without snow boots for many generations.

oops, xpost with others.

Mme she doesn't seem to be in too much distress!!

She was only a puppy then. I do put a coat on her now when it is really cold but she is fine in the snow.

Putting a coat on her makes it easier to find her in the snow too.

My second reason for a coat is that you can wip it off when you get into the house and when they shake there is far less wetness to shake and rub on everything.

good idea about coat. have you any recomendations? WB is a golden retriever.

Golden retrievers were bred to jump into lakes in winter to retrieve shot birds. They do not need coats or boots. Though they are such mud-magnets that I suppose a coat might keep them a bit cleaner.

I've seen dogs wearing shoes in New York, and it's only a mild sunny autumn. However, I think dogs here have a complete wardrobe and are as likely to go out with no clothes on as we are. Very odd.

Anyway, I would be cynical and say dogs don't need shoes, but it depends how much running on snow he's going to be doing. I know a man with a (husky-team) dog who says their paws really suffer and chafe (sp?) from the ice the first few runs of the season, and he sometimes binds them to protect them.

So if the huskys need shoes, maybe yours can too... How about wellies?

Golden Retriever !!!! - they are gun dogs. Therefore quite able to be out stood around in all weathers, love it, not complain about it at all even after jumping in the icy ditch and then sitting for 20 minutes in a howling gale in snow, doing nothing.

I think a Retriever in a coat, let alone boots, could cause a few giggles.

i really don't care about giggles as long as he's not in pain. i know they're a hardy breed but, it's bound to nip a little, especially on a first time winterer?

I'm being very PFP aren't I?

Don't be so ridiculous. Of course dogs don't need boots. In fact they shouldn't wear boots.

This thread has to be a joke.

yes it's a joke tank. i knew you were coming so i set it up just to enrage you. I'm caring that way

Sorry but am ROFling at the thought of a golden retriever in a coat and boots. My little spaniel would take the p&(% out of him something chronic!

but flowery winter is cold!!!

Far from enraged, I'm afraid.

I take it back.

Even Daphne would laugh at a Golden Retriever in a coat.

Some dogs feel the could - greyhounds, lurchers, Maltese are some of them.

But a GR is a hardy breed.

He will be fine. Honest.

Oh I'm totally with you, as someone who wore two coats out to take the dog out this morning.

My dog loves the snow though, runs round like a puppy kicking it up and having a whale of a time, so it doesn't seem to bother him. He's got plenty of fur and that'll do him fine I reckon.