From: srlee@beta.lanl.gov (Stephen R Lee)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: dogs in the snow
Date: 17 Dec 92 17:24:06 GMT
Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory

In article <1992Dec17.002232.29882@news.mentorg.com> gam@sun_jimh.mentorg.com (Gary Merrick) writes:

>I have a couple of mutts that I'd like to take up to the snow
>with me for a few days. Jenny is a golden/terrier mix (best guess),
>and weighs about 45 lbs., and Buddy is a poodle/terrier mix (b.g.),
>who weighs in at a hefty 30 lbs. They are indoor dogs that are quite
>used to sleeping with whoever has the warmest bed. When compared to

[stuff deleted]

>Anyway, you get the idea. Should I be concerned about taking them
>outside in the snow? Is there a danger of them getting frostbite
>on their paws? Although Buddy is moody and unpredictable when
>playtime is concerned, Jenny will follow me virtually anywhere.
>If I were to charge through the snow for a couple of hours, I'm
>sure whether she felt comfortable with it or not, she'd be there
>with me.

It kinda depends on what you had in mind about taking them out in the
snow.  If it is just for a walk, then no problem, with the caveats
below.  You might want to ease them into it, by that I mean take
a short walk one day, and gradually increase the distance as
they aclimate.  If it it just for an occasional romp, then again
I don't see a problem (see below).  Again, just keep it short and
gradually increase the time outside as they aclimate.  If it is
for a wilderness hike or something, then I see a potential problem.
I don't think that is what you had in mind.  I have found that most
dogs, when given time to acclimate, enjoy playing in the snow (I don't
mean sled dogs here, I mean other vastly divergent breeds).

Having said all of this, one thing to watch out for is the paws.  
With dogs like yours, ice balls can form between the pads quickly.
It is important to check the feet periodically to keep them clear.
Ice balls are uncomfortable for the dog, and they can injure the
pads if left too long.  Most dogs will stop what they are doing and
chew them out once they get irritating enough.  However, if you
keep them clean when outside yourself, the dog will not have to
do this.  Once they get to the poing where the dog is chewing them
out, they are often farily large and the dog should be taken inside
and have his paws cleaned.  For particularly ice-ball prone paws,
once can use booties, however these come with their own caveats.
In your situation, I would suggest easing them into their snow
activity and keeping an eye on their paws.  If you do this, you
dogs should enjoy their romps in the snow.

I hope this helps.

One thing to be concerned about it the paws.  With breeds like
this, ice balls can quickly and easily form between the pads,
which is painful and irritating to the dog.  It can also damage
the pads if allowed to remain for long.  Most dogs will chew them
out.  

[stuff deleted]

>-- 
> ____________________________________________________________
>| Gary Merrick                System/Network Admin from Hell |
>| gam@sje.mentorg.com    alt email: gary_merrick@mentorg.com |
>|____________________________________________________________|


-- 
============================================================
Stephen R. Lee                 | 
OooWoo Racing Kennel           | I'd rather be driving sled
E-Mail: srlee@beta.lanl.gov    | dogs.