cold weather?

[Charmin]

It has been very cold here and I am wondering if these dogs can get frost bite on their pads of their feet easily. I know these dogs are bred to stay in fields with cattle or on mountains protecting goats. So I know that they can handle very cold weather, but I went out this morning to let them out and Charmin was holding 1 paw up. She may have stepped on something or it may be cold. They have a very nice dog house but they don't even go in it all the time. I would think if they got cold they would go in. Correct?

[pyrecho]

Hi Charmin! how cold is it in your area? I'm in the N Great Lakes Area & last evening it was an actual temp of -30 degrees. Wind chill -50. My present Pyrs are not LGD. They live in my home. But I put dog boots (made for and by sled dog mushers) on them when we walk this time of year. In years past when some of my Pyrs were working I would bring them in with me in extreem weather. Any and all critters can suffer from frost bit.

How is your girl's foot now?

[Charmin]

well, charmins foot seems fine and now caspers foot seems like she is holding it up. I have a heat lamp up in their house. I really don't think it is that cold in their house, but they do not always go in it.

[Christine]

Charmin and Casper are lifting their paws because they're cold - too cold wherever they are staying.

It's winter in Toronto right now, and while my dog lives in the house with me - she's been lifting her paw after 10 to 12 MINUTES when she's outside in our -15 temperatures - I bring her back in right away.

If dogs are out all day and all night I'm sure they are cold when it's very cold outside.

[FATDOG]

My pyr loves the cold but he is a bigg sissy. when ever the temp drops below freezing he likes to have his neopreene boots on. its not really that he needs them but he likes to wear them and since they are water proof even if he gets wet it keeps his feet warm. I have also found that it helps to keep snow and ice from building up between his toes and impeding his walk. Another good thing is if we walk on a salted sidewalk its a great way to keep the salt from harming his paws.