Well just got back from sunny California where it was plus 20 back to Vancouver and its minus 2. Got me thinking how cold is too cold for a malinois to be swimming in the ocean in? I know hunting dogs jump into ponds in the middle of winter but have a more water repellent coat. She sometimes shakes after but not usually. She would jump into lava after her toy so her enthusiasm could be misleading in terms of if shes actually cold or not.
What should I look for if shes too cold, uncontrollable shaking? Then get her to warm car? Anything else to look/watch out for? Tips? Sorry if sound dumb, shes sliced her leg open and her pad while fetching and not even noticed so I think shes too focused to notice if shes slowly freezing to death lol so I wanna know what to look for!
Thanks!!
old age means realizing you will never own all the dogs you wanted to- unknown
I think it can be a lot about the individual dog. Some hate the cold and some just don't care regardless of coat.
I had a couple of Kerry Blue terriers (single, Poodle type coat) and one would break ice in the winter when he was chasing muskrats in the creek. Never did see that dog show any indications of discomfort.
Other then keeping an eye on the dogs temperature I would think what you said about shaking would be a key.
Dr Betty would probably give better things to look for.
ian bunbury Webboard User Reg: 01-19-2012
Posts: 685
Loc: whistler bc ca
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things are supposed to get back to normal around here soon cat . . . warm and wet .
with the exception of our semi annual arctic fronts , i don't think it could ever be too cold for an active dog like your mal to be spending some time in the water ( ocean temps ) year round in these parts . full submersion swimming in creeks , ponds , lakes , and rivers are another matter .
i value a good swim in the ocean , and i even think the sea water is good for the skin/coat . i try to get out of the mountains regularly throughout the winter to give henry a therapeutic wash / swim .
what i do is plan the swim early in the outing so that there is plenty of heat generating activity afterwards to give the dog some time to dry off and warm up .
Have to watch going out too far, dog becomes stiff from the cold, can't swim well, has trouble getting back, or can't get back.
That is a problem in the Mississippi for duck dogs as the water approaches freezing. If they loose the duck they can swim around and around until they run out of steam.
I suspect it could be a problem in real cold surf. The water doesn't loose power in the cold, but the dogs swimming ability can be compromised.
no power in the waves here but ya she does swim around and around if she cant find toy and ive often thought what if she gets so cold and stiff and cant swim back. Guess mom would be going for a cold water swim! Luckily she will always come back when called. Never met a dog who I can call back on a dime chasing birds. Never spent any time even training this. I have a doggy genius
I will be doing shorter throws just in case!
old age means realizing you will never own all the dogs you wanted to- unknown
no power in the waves here but ya she does swim around and around if she cant find toy and ive often thought what if she gets so cold and stiff and cant swim back. Guess mom would be going for a cold water swim! Luckily she will always come back when called. Never met a dog who I can call back on a dime chasing birds. Never spent any time even training this. I have a doggy genius
I will be doing shorter throws just in case!
When I choose a new puppy I look for the closest I can find to a natural retriever. This tells me that the dog has a willingness to work with people.
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cold water and malinois?
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