German Shepherd and heating

[Badhairday101]

We have an 8 month old German Shepherd who likes to be cold. She loves to lie in the garden even in the rain. In the evening she sleeps by the front door, I think for the draft. I'm now worried about putting the heating on in the winter. Does anybody have any ideas about how we can all be comfortable over the winter? I was thinking about getting her a cool mat but other than this I've got no idea.

Couldn't possibly advise without a picture of your girl.

I have a Eurasier (smaller than a GSD but often mistaken for one) ..she has a huge double coat and is fluffy as hell.
She likes the cold.. always lies on the floor, preferably a cold one, or against the bifold glass doors.

She hates the heating. It makes her itch. Unfortunately there is no magic solution but we only put it on when we HAVE to... I have an electric throw so I can be warm but not heat the house.

Just try and keep it as cool as you can bear!

Can she not still go and lie outside even in winter? What about an outdoor kennel/run for her to spend time in?

We have exactly the same with our 8 month long haired German Shepherd! She loves the kitchen tiled floor. We have a cool mat in the lounge and bedroom. It's a difficult one., as she prefers to be with us!

Mine all struggle being too warm.

They tend to just lie around outside on the patio or on the kitchen tiles if they are too hot, I don’t worry that much.

I think don’t overthink it. Dogs will acclimatise to your home. Mine find cold spots to lie on and we have UFH everywhere in the house. That said, my Leonberger has an active guarding instinct, and that is often the reason he wants to be outside, particularly at night. Consider the possibility that It might not just be a climate issue for your girl as she gets older? Take a tip though and make it clear when she’s in that’s it, otherwise you’ll end up like me and being a bloody doorman for the dog all evening.

Our GSDs have always taken them outside in all weather, I've found they're less tolerant of the heating in the house the older then get. Have an option of shelter outside, ours just love sitting out in the breeze. We do always bring them in at night, we had to let one girl who has now passed sleep in the garage in winter because she wouldn't tolerate the house in her final years.

Sorry about the delay in replying. Thanks for everyone's responses it's really helpful and glad to hear I'm not the only one.
Good point about the possibility that she's guarding. She also lies in front on the front door when she's in which I thought was for a draught but maybe not.
I think I'll turn the radiator off in the kitchen and hall so that will keep it a bit cooler in there. She can lie outside if she wants to but just follows me around everywhere. She's happy in the garden if I'm in the kitchen but if I go anywhere else she likes to keep an eye on me.
I think everyone saying don't overthink it is right. It's just not something I'd ever thought about and feel guilty when she is panting inside. It's helping with my heating costs anyway because I'll leave it off as long as possible.

@Netaporter I feel your pain, I'm already a slave to the cat wanting to come in and out every 5 minutes so I don't want to start that with the dog too.

@Badhairday101 It could be 0deg outside and my Leo would be panting 😂 Don’t fall for that combined with the puppy eyes either 😉

A floor fan pointing at their day and night bed all year round.