Dogs in Cold Weather

J

James Woods

Active member
So all, six years ago I went from upland bird dogs to labs. I have a six year old chocolate (Boo) who has become the delight of the family and I think, most of my gunning friends. While the season ended yesterday, we have been experiencing the coldest weather in 20 odd years. I have hunted Boo in weather down to 15 degrees with any eye out for dangerous conditions, ice, etc. The last week of the season mornings were often well below zero, (-12 to -17 degrees) with daytime highs in single digits. We did not hunt this past week. To put it in context, we generally hunt the first two hours of the mornings, and are within easy reach of our vehicles.

So my question is where do you draw the line on labs in cold weather? The question is general, and I am sure may vary from dog to dog (and hunter to hunter), but I am interested in the views from the hunters on this forum.
 
I have hunted labs for the last 20 years and before that had a chessy, if the water was open they all hunted as long as they were not in danger of falling thru ice. I always figured if they can swim get out shake and get out of the wind that is what they do, lots of days in single digits. Labs wear/wore the vests, my chessies would have nothing to do with the vest. Honesty I have had more issues with dogs in hot weather than cold. I think it helps to that dogs in the northern climates are outside more in the cold, maybe accustomed to it a little more. There definitely a difference in dogs to just like humans IMO some dogs could care less about cold it is all about the hunt.
 
I think like Cap Stieben said, keep them out of the wind. My biggest thing is to have a place for them sit that is warm, meaning a foam pad or something like that. Keep them off the bare deck(glass, aluminum, or steel), that is as cold as the air often. My last lab had a short coat, and I had a vest for him and it kept him warm up top. My current dog won't wear one, but she has a very thick coat and doesn't get cold from the top side. But they don't have much fur underneath, so if they can sit on something that is warm they stay warm. That's been my experience.
 
even with modern high tech clothing - i think the cold gets to me first

and- single digits means the ice is too thick (our marsh has little moving water)- and the ice worries me more than cold-

but i think this cold snap we have been having is too hard on a dog- even in the uplands - i just got in from taking the dogs out- a Golden and an English Setter - we only only out for a few minutes when each of them started hold a paw up to avoid the cold - its about 5 above here with a pretty good breeze to add wind chill-

their drive will keep them going into dangerous conditions - the caution is up to me - this day - what we broke on the way in refroze quickly - its about as tough a day as i would let him go in


View attachment Macallan on the rocks.jpg
 
Yesterday we set at 13 below on Lake Champlain, Quinn 9 yr Black female vested with a foam bed and my field coat to cover her. The plan was to leave the birds for the first hour and pick them up after the first hours lull.
The dead calm shifted to A NW wind then shifted to a southery so the birds blew back to us and she had an easy time .
I have always hunted my labs to below zero ,I guess it depends on the dog and the duration of the hunt. I also give her pure fat during the hunt and after 5 hours she still wasn't cold or even shivering .
This morning's walk it was 31 below when we stepped out . I guess I wouldn't hunt her in that
 
Some good suggestions. I picked up a wool army surplus blanket for cold days. I wrap that around her after she gives a good shake. She likes it and it seems to work.
 
I agree with the being a hardy dog if they are outside a lot. But I have two labs that in the house most of the time. I am hard pressed to take them out for a hunt when it is 10 or less. Guess I am getting soft in my old age as I don't care to venture out either when it gets that cold. The four year old loves to be outside and in the water but the 7 year old is much smarter and if she doesn't have to get wet its not for her.
 
A number of years ago I experienced a frightening situation where my lab became hypothermic after multiple retrieves in very cold water. Since then, I have been very aware of the dog's comfort in these conditions. I take a propane heater in the blind when the water becomes very cold. The neoprene vests are great for keeping the torso warm, but I also cary a chamois car washing cloth with me to dry the dog's hind quarters, groin area and armpits off after a retrieve. They are great for absorbing water, can be squeezed dry until the next retrieve and don't take up much room in your gunning bag. Recently I discovered a cape-like drape made specifically for hunting retrievers called the S.U.G.A.R. coat http://thesugarcoat.com/SUGARCoat.aspx. Dry the dog off and drape the cape over her and the shivering stops shortly after. Since I bought the cape, I have not had to use the heater.
 
Rick L's statement " their drive will keep them going into dangerous conditions" is so true. A few days ago we had a cripple get out of shotgun range in big open water. My dog is trained to do very long blinds and may have been theoretically able to make the retrieve, but I got the boat instead. The longer the dog is in the water this time of year, the greater the danger of hypothermia. And once they get in trouble it may be too late to help them....a tragic situation.


Matt
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Matt Mahoney said:
Rick L's statement " their drive will keep them going into dangerous conditions" is so true. A few days ago we had a cripple get out of shotgun range in big open water. My dog is trained to do very long blinds and may have been theoretically able to make the retrieve, but I got the boat instead. The longer the dog is in the water this time of year, the greater the danger of hypothermia. And once they get in trouble it may be too late to help them....a tragic situation.


Matt
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Click to expand...

To the original poster and others, first it would be wise to read up on symptoms of hypothermia in dogs so you can tell when the dog is too cold.

Mr. Mahoney's two posts sum up the remainder of my thoughts.

You can always take the dog hunting and then decide whether or not to send for retrieves. Provide it a warm place to sit and be comfortable during the hunt. I definitely wouldn't send a dog on a long retrieve in cold water because you won't be able to assess it's condition when it's 200 yards away and you won't be able to help if it gets in trouble.
 
Keep track of caloric intake too. Hunting hard in cold weather can cause some dogs to loose weight. Thicker coats can hide this. Higher protein/fat treats help too.

Tom
 
To all of you. Thanks so much for your responses to this thread. All great advice, and I knew I could count on you guys.
Learned alot and will adopt your suggestions and advice.
JCW
 
Nick Ronning said:
Matt Mahoney said:
Rick L's statement " their drive will keep them going into dangerous conditions" is so true. A few days ago we had a cripple get out of shotgun range in big open water. My dog is trained to do very long blinds and may have been theoretically able to make the retrieve, but I got the boat instead. The longer the dog is in the water this time of year, the greater the danger of hypothermia. And once they get in trouble it may be too late to help them....a tragic situation.


Matt
.
Click to expand...

To the original poster and others, first it would be wise to read up on symptoms of hypothermia in dogs so you can tell when the dog is too cold.

Mr. Mahoney's two posts sum up the remainder of my thoughts.

You can always take the dog hunting and then decide whether or not to send for retrieves. Provide it a warm place to sit and be comfortable during the hunt. I definitely wouldn't send a dog on a long retrieve in cold water because you won't be able to assess it's condition when it's 200 yards away and you won't be able to help if it gets in trouble.
Click to expand...
 
My dog is a sissy. Or I should rephrase that- I have become a sissy. I took my dog out this past week at 15 degrees or less. I said at the start- I am not sending her into the water, only land retrieves. Didn't matter, I didn't shoot anything either trip.

However, that being said, it's a lot about conditioning and the dog's physical condition. A thick coat and a little extra fat here is a good thing. My present dog is a house and couch potato. She spends 98% of her time in the house. She is not conditioned for cold weather work.

My most humble opinion, of course...

Jon

ps., last time I was involved in a conversation like this, it was a bit more lively...
 
For cold weather my labs are comfortable wearing the Sugar coat and I also have them sit on a 2 1/2 foot square piece of 1/2 inch plywood with 2 inch insulation glued to it. The coat closes in front with magnets and I tie the back of the coat to the board. The dog can run out of it easily. After a retrieve they shake off and I put the coat back on them. The coat has a removable heavy wool liner. I think the dog is warmer than in the wet suit. I have a screw eye in the middle of the board; that helps me control the dogs desire to eat dead crabs,goose crap, and whatever else while I'm busy setting up a blind, or anchoring the boat. The coat is durable; mine is in great shape after 5 years. The picture was taken last year after several retrieves.
View attachment poppy.jpg
 
Sandy~

As you know, I know almost nothing about dogs - other than watching and appreciating Mr. Woods' Boo find an occasional bird for me - but I am really impressed by your SUGAR Coat rig. The dog and his tent are so well hidden among those rocks. As I am familiar with your skills with a paint brush, I recommend you paint that blue foam to match the local geology.

All the best - and stay warm yourself!

SJS
 
Love the coat! Maybe some burlap for the blue board but my guess is the birds are use to seeing floating crap of multi colors. They sure are on the Hudson
 
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