Too cold for a boxer?

[baekjae]

Hey guys, not sure if i'm posting in the wrong section or not..
I live in NYC metro area and it's starting to get really chilly out. I know boxers typically do not handle extreme weather (too cold , or too hot) well. This is going to be Tyson's first winter coming up.
How long can he stay outside during the winter, like say if I was to take him for a walk?
Also, do you think it would be way too cold to go the dogpark?
Thanks~!

 

[Gatorblu]

It's going to vary some from dog to dog. Yesterday I walked my dogs in the morning and it was the mid-30's F, and they were fine, but I saw another boxer in the afternoon when it was more towards the mid-40's and the poor thing was just shivering. You can always get a coat for your dog. That's what were doing this year as we moved to a more extreme climate.

 

[StellaBee]

When I lived in Minneapolis, Stella did fine at the dog park for an hour or so when it was 0 degrees outside. I'd just put on her ugly pink fleece coat and let her play. That said, I think they sort of build a tolerance for it and every dog is different! Also, watch the salt they put down on the sidewalks for ice. It can burn their feet!

 

[Jan]

They do seem to build up a tolerance to the cold. At least certainly to cold feet. When it start to get really cold, the dogs will start lifting their feet. As winter goes on it seems to happen a lot less and doesn't seem to bother them the same way.

 

[trc4941]

We're in Minnesota. It was only 21 degrees this morning! UGH! As long as they're moving - which they always are - they seem to be ok. We're out every day for 45 minutes at 6am and again at 5pm. I usually am walking where they can be off leash, so they can really run and don't notice the cold so much. Our limit is 10 below zero. Anything colder than that is pretty tough on their feet. No matter what....it's going to be a long winter.

 

[MypupShooter]

Hello,

I'm in Montreal and neither of my boxers ever seemed to mind the cold. We just make our trips out shorter but more frequent. And normally instead of walks @ night, I bring her on the trails where she can run instead. We always go to the dog park in the winter, and never have any problems. We don't have a coat for Stella, and I don't think she would let me put one on her.

 

[esabbott]

We live in NH it really wasn't all that cold this morning, maybe 45, I put Maggie's coat on her and said lets go visit( we visit my parents daily) normally she can't wait to go! This morning she went down the stairs and would not get in the car, turned around and headed back up the stairs to come inside. When we first got her it was January and she would shake when we took her outside, even with a coat on! I have a feeling she is one of those boxers that does not like cold weather. Good luck with yours!

 

[Murp.mm]

Ms. Ali walked all last winter with a coat and scarf. And lots of times we hiked and she can off lead without her coat with no problem. As long as they're moving they're fine. Of course it's all about common sense. If it's bitterly cold then we don't go out. Good Luck.

P.S. I use Bees Wax for her paws in wintertime in case of salt and cuts from the ice.

 

[MKchloe]

Cold weather- coat

My fawn boxer needs a coat or she doenst want to stay outside.....I got her a coat at a horse shop- very smilar to a horse blanket and she loves to go for long walks in it....perfect for snow. SHe also has a thinner coat and like its for 40 degree--however I did put it on her tonight and its 50 out. She likes to be warm plus having recent CCL surgery on her knee her hair is growing back still.

Check into an online site -cheaper than petco or petsmart and bigger size options.

 

[baekjae]

thanks

Thanks for the much needed feedback guys!!!
A lil update - its almost November and its hit low 40's F in the NY metro area. So far, Tyson's been ok with the chilly weather. He doesn't shiver or anything like that, and still enjoys the park!
We'll see what happens as the winter approaches!