How cold is too cold? General Chat

Hi all... advice/opinions appreciated,

we have two border collie pups, 1 is 13 weeks, and 1 is 8 weeks, both from farms and have be brought up barn-type areas, outside of the house.

we now have a very cosy insulated kennel, with lots blankets, quilt, cushions etc, and they sleep in there together/
however with them being so young, when i hear the weather 'it's going to drop as low as -6, im thinking should they be inside just whilst they are small?

I have played with them in the kennel and it does seem warm - im sure more so when the door is shut fully at night.
its just a size they are going to grow into, as we intend to have them live outside etc

am i being a over-protective new mum? or should i bring them in just whilst it is so cold?

Jo

Personally I would keep them indoors until the spring . That would have the added advantage that you could house train them as well but perhaps others have different opinions :?

I tend not to put dogs out untill spring,

I have a heated kennel, with raised beds, full of straw,

but if I did have any dogs outside in this type of weather, {bearing in mind my lot would be at least 10 months + before going out } I would still bring them in when its this cold, much to my old lad royce's disgust...

SO in answer to your question, if they dont have a heated kennel, or raised beds, then yes I would bring them in

I would say yes to bringing them in, the temp drops a lot thoughout the night and their bedding can get very damp in this weather. Puppies can not generate warmth like an adult dog to keep warm either, which leads to hypothermia.

This is a good site tells you a few reasons why not to keep them outside.
www.dogland.co.uk/CaringForYourDogInWinter.html

id have them in , but if they are used to being out & are going to live out id leave them out, if their kennel is insulated as you say id leave them out

I have Collies, but I personally wouldn't put them out at night in this cold. Can I ask if they are shut in with thier bedding etc., is theier bedding likly to be soiled during the night. If so that (with the cold) could drop theie temperture.

Thanks for all your replies...

in reply to Youngsteve; yes they are shut it for 6 hours, and have paper down right at the front (not in their bed) which they unrinated on the first two nights, but nothing since then - no wet bedding at all.

there kennel is insulated and raised, and as cosy as possible. So we wont be keeping them in until spring, but prob when its really cold.

is straw warmer/better than man made blankets/quilting?

thanks for all your advice!!

Yes, it also has the advantage of you being able to bank up the sides to make a nice cosy nest, as well as blocking any draughts

If you use straw, you will have to clean and turn it every day.. the urine will run through to the floor , so you will have to make sure you have a high cleaning routine, plus the means of disposing of it.

But nothing better for outside beds!!

Hi, I wasnt saying YOU, should keep them in untill spring, its just what I do, I find its far better for there socialisation, I dont have any dogs outside at the moment, I did keep kaos and royce outside though, but since royce died, I felt to keep kaos outside alone was unfair, I do plan to put kaos and vinnie back out in the spring though,

and yes straw is better for all the reasons jackbox listed


here is kaos making his bed..lol its deep enough that they can vanish right under it and its hard to see them,



here is old royce{rip} all ready for his nights sleep.

My Kali has never slept outside (he's a spoiled beggar), especially at this time of year. Weatherwise, Orkney can be a ferocious place occasionally! However, his dad (a farm boy) used to sleep in a hole in the snow. Even in his 15th year, if he was put in the byre, he would escape and go back to his snow-hole.

Snorri-dog never slept outside, either - he would holler till somebody let him in again. But then, Snorri never considered himself to be a dog.......


Snorri

My husband's working collies all live outside in straw-filled kennels. Make sure it is clean straw, changed regularly, and use straw and NOT hay. Hay attracts fleas and mites.

I would say that as long as your pups are warm and dry and their kennel is well insulated with no draughts they will be fine, even in the very cold weather.

Pics of your pups please

Thanks for even more replies... everyone is so friendly and helpful (im still a newby)

kaos and royce look so snuggly!
im definately opting for the straw!

thanks.

How cute that he chose his hole in the snow! Must have felt safe and snug in there. I guess its what they know.

Jo

ps, heres some pics as requested

this is Dylan, (9 weeks on sunday)


and his bigger brother Cash, (nearly 14 weeks)

Aww thanks for the pics - they are gorgeous Are they work bred? ISDS reg?

lovely pups, they look so cute x

They are so cute.

thanks you - i think so but them i am biased!

both sets of parents are both working dogs (but ours arent ISDS reg), they are from two seperate farms in derbyshire.
Ours wont be working, but lots of adventures.
We are thinking about agility - although i prefer countryside/freestyle agility

was interesting that both mums were small, short haired, both dads were bigger long haired - so we're expecting medium and fluffy


Thank you for the other comments guys - im not quite to grips with replying to quotes etc,