Alright, so I’ve been getting a lot of questions about how cold my German Shepherd, Rex, can handle. We live in an area where it gets pretty chilly in the winter, and I’m always trying to make sure he’s comfortable and safe. So, I decided to do a little experiment and keep track of how he does in different temperatures.
First off, I noticed that when it’s above, say, 70 degrees Fahrenheit, Rex starts to pant a lot and looks for shade. He’s not a big fan of the heat. But we’re talking about cold here, so let’s get into that.
Starting Point: When the temperature is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, Rex is his usual, energetic self. He loves his walks, plays fetch like there’s no tomorrow, and doesn’t show any signs of being cold. So, I figured this was a good baseline.
- 40-50 Degrees: Still no problem. He’s running around, sniffing everything, and basically doing his normal dog stuff. We go on our usual walks, and he seems perfectly happy.
- 30-40 Degrees: This is where I started to pay a little more attention. He’s still active, but I noticed on a few occasions he’d lift a paw off the ground for a second, like it was getting a bit too cold for him. Not all the time, though. We shortened our walks a little, just to be safe.
- 20-30 Degrees: Okay, now we’re getting into the territory where I start to see some changes. He’s still willing to go out, but he’s definitely not as eager. He walks a bit slower, and I can tell he’s feeling the cold. We keep our outings short, and I put a little doggy coat on him. He doesn’t love it, but he tolerates it.
Getting Colder
When it dropped below 20 degrees, that’s when I really started to worry. I let him out to do his business, but I didn’t make him stay out any longer than necessary. He’d do his thing quickly and then run back to the door, shivering a bit. I felt bad for him. I got him a warmer coat and some booties, and that seemed to help a little, but it was clear he wasn’t enjoying himself.
Below 10 Degrees: Forget it. He’d take a few steps outside, look at me like I was crazy, and then turn right back around. I didn’t even try to make him go out in that kind of weather. We just did quick potty breaks right by the door and then back inside to the warm house.
Final Thoughts
So, what did I learn from all this? Well, every dog is different, but for my Rex, it seems like anything below 30 degrees is pushing it, and below 20 is a definite no-go for any extended period. I mean, I wouldn’t want to be out in that kind of cold without a good coat, hat, and gloves, so why should he?
I’m not a vet or anything, just a guy who loves his dog. But from what I’ve seen, it’s important to pay attention to your dog’s behavior and adjust accordingly. If they’re shivering, lifting their paws, or just generally seem unhappy, it’s probably too cold for them. Better safe than sorry, right?
