Imagine this: you and your dog running around while the cold runs through you, and the snowflakes keep falling on both of you. And there it is, your dog having the time of its life, lying in the cold. But it makes you wonder, do dogs love the winter, in general?
Many dogs adore winter and love to spend as much time outside when it’s snowing. However, others despise cold and run inside as soon it starts snowing. Each dog is a little different when it comes to the winter season, so getting to know your dog and how they react to it is the best way to know if they like it or not.
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Are Dogs Happy When It’s Cold Outside?
Some dogs are born for the winter and love spending time outside when it’s freezing. Although we might find it weird that our dog loves to run around in the snow, it’s completely normal.
Most dogs love the snow because it cools down their body temperature, making them feel more energetic and lively. Also, dogs love winter and snow altogether because, well, they’re fun!
Dogs get to investigate, play around, or manipulate snow. Dogs enjoy digging, sniffing, and even rolling around in the snow. Some might even say they look like children playing carelessly with the first fall of snow.
Those dogs are usually larger breeds with dense coats that can accumulate more heat and love outdoor exercise. Such dogs are the following.
Siberian Husky
As the name implies, this type of dog comes from the colder parts of the world. Also, its wolf-like characteristics make it love the winter and tolerate colder temperatures. You might even see this dog rolling in the snow or covering itself to hibernate.
Samoyeds
Samoyeds, with their thick and fluffy coats, love the winter and everything connected to it. Like any other double-coated dog, bringing your dog inside when it gets cold might be challenging. They often resist coming inside when it’s snowing.
Most double-coated dogs adore winter and are more likely to spend their time outdoors enjoying the snow and the freezing temperatures, as it is in their nature to do so.
Smaller Dogs And Dogs With Thinner Coats
But you’ll never see a chihuahua or a miniature pincher leave the warm premises when the weather gets chilly. Instead, they will stay indoors and constantly tremble during their daily walks.
But different dogs tolerate winter differently. And while most large breeds have no problems with the cold, smaller breeds with small fur and thin coats cannot tolerate the cold.
However, no matter how much your dog enjoys the freezing temperature, you still need to look for signs that either indicate cold in dogs or that it’s too cold.
Signs Your Dog Is Too Cold
As soon as the dog starts to tremble, they start to get cold. So, it shouldn’t surprise you if that happens after a few minutes.
Other signs that indicate coldness in dogs are:
- The dog starts to walk slowly
- The dog feels unwell
- It leans on you to warm itself up
Whenever you bring your thin-coated dog out for its daily walk, make sure it’s no more than 15 minutes, as it might get cold.
Signs Your Dog Has A Cold
Just like humans, dogs can catch colds, and most symptoms are human-like. So, if your dog has any of these symptoms, it might have a cold, so be sure to seek veterinary help. They are:
- Runny nose
- Sneezes
- Fever
- Trembles
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
How To Keep Dogs Warm In Winter
Domesticated dogs might have a bit of a problem with the cold. Although some dogs live outside, meaning they don’t sleep inside the house, there comes a time when it’s time to bring them inside. Bringing them blankets or building them a warmer house won’t do the trick.
Even the Samoyed gets cold sometimes if the temperatures get way below zero.
Because of this, bring the dog inside for a few days, or until the weather improves, and shower it with cuddles and kisses.
Also, be wary of the time spent outside when going potty, even with long-haired dogs.
Lastly, to keep them warm during winter, manufacturers have come up with many sleek coats and jackets, as well as doggy boots, to keep dogs’ paws warm and cozy.
Final Thoughts: Do Dogs Love Winter?
Do dogs love winter? Of course, they do. Larger breeds, especially Labradors, Samoyeds, and Siberian Huskies, love to spend time outside as it helps them regulate their body temperature and makes them feel more energetic.
So, what type of dog do you have, and does it loves winter? Let us know in the comment section below!