Too Cold To Walk

[JPerrelli]

It's been really cold here the last few days and I haven't been able to walk. Murphy (9 mths) really needs a walk. I don't mind braving the weather, but I'm worried about his feet. I do have boots that I use for Maddie but I don't think they'll fit Murphy. When do you think I need to worry that it's too cold to walk?

 

[charlieinnj]

I'm never really concerned that it's too cold to take a Newfy out for a walk. But, I tend to not like taking them out when it has snowed and the streets and sidewalks are covered in snow-melting chemicals.

 

[new_2_newf]

I trim Sulley's foot hair to be flush with his pads so he has a little better grip and doesn't get snowballs as bad, but this is his first winter with snow...he LOVES it. -25 (C) with the windchill last night and he was looking at me with big sad eyes as I explained we had to go home now, before Mama froze to death. The cold doesn't seem to bother him in the slightest.

 

[Clifford the big dog]

It never seems to get too cold for Clifford's feet. I do also avoid any area that has been salted or other chemicals, usually go to a park instead. I clean his feet with a towel when we get home so no ice stays there. Those same very cold days he will go out and lay on the deck for ours and I worry about other parts of him getting cold, but I guess he doesn't mind.

 

[urneighbour]

There are some good products on the market that are a wax based paw protector cream that helps prevent the little snow balls that get stuck in their pads and provides a layer of protection from the salt and chemicals on the roads and sidewalks. We use it regularly in the winter (about 3-4 jars a winter) and have never had a problem with sore cracked paws.

 

[Murphy]

Murphy never has a problem with snow balls forming on his feet but his brother Ozzy does. When they used to go to the dog park Oz would have to stop and chew them out and his mom Patti kept the fur trimmed. I worry more about the ice and Murphy falling than I do the cold. However, I am not liking this early brutally cold onslaught of winter and HATE going out in it. :grrr:

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

With a 9 month old pup, I might be concerned about it getting "too cold" because they generally don't have as thick and warm a coat as an adult. Depends on where you live, and just how cold it is out there. If it's so cold that you really don't want to be out there, all bundled up, then it might be too cold for more than a few minutes for the pup. Do you have a basement, garage, or rec room you could play in, instead?

 

[BlackLightning]

We get cold paws here. When it is too cold both of them start lifting their paws, especially if it is slushy mixed with icy patches. It has to be pretty cold here though before that happens. I also worry about all the salt and try to avoid it.

 

[Joan Fisher]

I've had Newfs for 33 years and we never don't go out because of the cold! We've walked in -44 Celsius which is -47 in Fahrenheit. I don't think it ever gets that cold in Tennessee! This morning it was -22C with the wind chill and we walked for 45minutes. Tiika took no notice at all of the cold, and I wear great clothing that keeps me nice and warm and cozy!

 

[ardeagold]

Ours are out walking on our frozen pond right now. Not only Newfs but Goldens and an Am Bulldog (who has to wear a coat, but not booties).

Frankie is only 7 mos old...and he loves the cold. He'd be swimming in that pond if it wasn't frozen solid.

Oh...and it's 25F here at this moment, with a wind chill of 15F.

I do know that once it gets around these temps, the Goldens prefer to come in after a few minutes...and their paws will get cold if the temps get below 20.

But that's when the Newfs want to go out!

 

[KatieB]

About 7 degrees here with a -2 windchill. All three are currently outside playing and chewing on bones and have no desire to come in. We've been out for walks and taking them to the park and all seem fine.

 

[Bär]

We've walked in -44 Celsius which is -47 in Fahrenheit. I don't think it ever gets that cold in Tennessee! This morning it was -22C with the wind chill and we walked for 45minutes. Tiika took no notice at all of the cold, and I wear great clothing that keeps me nice and warm and cozy!

Same here. I just put some mushers secret on his paws, it helps with the iceballs between the toews. Also, when the windchill is in the -30c or lower he wears his mucklucks.
But no matter what the weather we always do our daily walks.

 

[CMDRTED]

I'd use Musher's if your concerned. There is also another brand which works also, but I can't remember that name off the top of my head.

 

[RiverTheNewf]

I'd use Musher's if your concerned. There is also another brand which works also, but I can't remember that name off the top of my head.

Did someone say they use Bag Balm?

 

[JPerrelli]

Thanks everybody. I have to change my information. I moved from Tennessee to Chicago and it's been below zero the last few days with the windchill. He his only 9 mths so I'm worried about him not having enough fur to keep him warm as well as his feet. He hasn't had any problems with snowballs between the toes, and I do keep his fur trimmed there. I also rinse his feet in luke warm water when we get back from walking to get any salt off. I do have a garage we can play in if it's too cold. I was just wondering if it's safe to take him out when it's hoovering around zero.

 

[elizabethquandt]

Hamish has some boxer friends (very little coat) who have come with us in the woods on days when I'm sure it was below 0, and we've had a mini schnauzer out running in the woods during the winter. I'm pretty sure it'd be safe for a Newf, even if his coat hasn't fully grown in

 

[new_2_newf]

you are good It is about -5 F here right now, and Sulley is outside, burrowing under the snow to cool off. apparently i need to grow a warmer coat so we can keep it colder in the house