How cold is too cold?

[Berner_Mom]

It snowed here in Calgary about 25 cm total over the past few days.  The temperature is sitting about -37 degrees Celcius (I don't know what that is in Farenheit, sorry) with the windchill...an d Tucker wants to be outside!

He goes out to pee, then comes back in, but sometimes he's hanging out in our backyard because the dog next door is out in his backyard (they can't see each other, only hear) and I'm worried that Tucker is outside too long.

We are assuming he'd come back inside when he's getting too cold...but, he's only 9 months old. Would he make that decision?  I was watching him this morning, and he was circling around looking for a spot to pee, and as he paused, he'd lift his feet off the ground, one at a time, alternating..s o that no paw was in the snow the whole time.

That behavior makes me wonder if its already too cold for him- I don't want his paws to be hurting from the cold, or his joints either. The longest time he's been out since the dump of snow and drop in temperature (except for walks) is 5, 10 minutes max.

I think we are going to have to get him booties for the walks, but for going out to pee- do you guys think 10 minutes outside is ok with no protection on his feet?

Thanks in advance!

[lookingfornewf]

Clifford seems to be happy no matter how cold and will lay out on the deck not wanting in for a half hour. I would however say if he seems uncomfortable about his feet he probably is too cold.

[Tonda]

I'm shivering just thinking about those temps. It was in the 40s here (6.5 C) and I was bundled up under a blanket on the couch all day.

[jesday]

-37c is about 34f, just a little above freezing. Also being a BM I'm guessing this is quite delightful for Tucker. The leg shifting to pee may be because he feels unsteady balancing in the snow or just the fact it is a new sensation for him.

Of course I'm not one to talk if you read my post about dogs sleeping with a light on. Our temps are between 6-9f right now which is -12c. But bubs are out as I speak and are having a wonderful time frolicking around.


I'm usually always cold so I assume everyone and everything is also. The catch phrase at our house when kids were little was, "Put your coat on, your mother's cold."

[no.newf.ashley]

I think -37 celsius, is actually closer to -35 fahrenheit, so it's quite cold.  My family lives up in edmonton, and they generally only let the puppers (a golden and a jack)out for a quick pee and then bring them back in, so I'd say they'd be out for about 5-10 mins max.  Just keep an eye on him when he's out and about, berners do have a weather resistant coat, which i think would keep them pretty warm, but it's their little feet you might want to be careful with

[vmimom2006]

We have temps in the teens (F) and Athena seems ok for 15 minutes or so. She is quick to come to the door when she has had enough. I do send her out with a t shirt on though. When the cold weather started she would actually shiver but now seems to have gotten used to it and when it snows she goes crazy running in it. You do have to watch their pads because the ice can cut them.

[Mastihound]

I just looked it up on a converter and 0 celcius is 32 F.  so -37c would be -5F.  My two boys are total opposites. Morph goes out does his business and is right back in the house as fast as possible.  AJ is the long haired one and would stay out all day if I would let him.  I dont think that he has EVER been cold.  But I agree with everyone else. If he seems umcomfortable then it is probably too cold.  He will tell you when it is time to come in.  Send some of that snow this way please.  We are still waiting for the first snow of the year.

[jesday]

Ooops, didn't see the little minus sign when I looked this up on a converter table. Yeah, I'm thinking -34F is pretty cold.

I suppose if I remembered high school math, I could have done the calculations myself.

 

[Berner_Mom]

Ooops, didn't see the little minus sign when I looked this up on a converter table. Yeah, I'm thinking -34F is pretty cold.

I suppose if I remembered high school math, I could have done the calculations myself.

Yeah our -37 degrees celcius is VERY cold.  I heard on radio just 20 min ago that the temp is -34 right now, but with windchill its about -42 degrees celcius!!  Eeek, that's the coldest I think I've felt in my lifetime! They say exposed skin will freeze in 5 minutes. Yuck.
We are going to look into the booties...but I have a feeling that's probably something we should've started when he was younger. But never hurts to try...