Snow boots & coats for the DOG! Necessary?

[shandoggy1]

I was wondering, living in New England as I do and having all the 4 seasons sometimes when you blink the weather changes should I get my dog some of those boot things like the dogs wear in the Ididorod? Reason for me asking is cuz owning a cattle dog (high energy)and having to walk in the street in winter the salt and snow can bother there feet and burn there pads . And also I know alot of people put those blanket coats or whatever on alot of there dogs but what about mine? It can get real cold so should I invest in a coat too . I have always had GSD's and they have a thicker coat than my ACD. What do you think? Just a note: I have used that paw wax and it didn't seem to work to well cuz my GSD would still limp from the salt and snow between his toes .

[princessjodi]

I would definitely get the boots! I live in San Diego, so luckily I don't have to deal with that but I know some friends who use the boots when they go to the desert for the same (but heat related) reasons.

As for the coat, depends. Does your dog stay outside all the time? If he / she is working then I wouldn't put the coat on so it doesn't overheat. If it stays outside, then I would get one to keep it warm. But then again, a nice house with some blankets might do the trick too.

[shandoggy1]

Princessjodi, your funny! Cai is a total house dog I would never let my dogs live outside. He prefers to sleep on his bed or mine. My concern for the coat is for when it is like 12 degrees and we go for a 3-4 mile walk if I should put one on him.

[princessjodi]

Why on earth would you go for a 3 - 4 mile walk when it is 12 degrees????? That is just crazy talk!!!

I would get a coat...at least to give it a try.

[96 GTS]

Call me nuts, but I'm a winter weather cyclist. Nothing like a 15 mile ride in 10 degree weather LOL. I have an indoor roller trainer, but that gets boring in a hurry.

[RedHotDobe]

I'm in Maryland and have two FidoFleece and some of the little booties for Rumor. I forgot the website for the boots, but they're nice. They're designed for sled dog use. They keep the snow and salt off the dog's paws, and actually seem to stay on with no problems. And they work in the mud, too.

[elegy]

i have horse-blanket type coats for both of my dogs and sleddog booties more to protect from salt and ice than to keep toes warm.

i have nekkid dogs though.

[princessjodi]

brrrr!!! Snow is nice to look at in pictures or on mountains far far away while I am enjoying my balmy 60 degree San Diego weather. Of course today we are experiencing Santa Ana conditions (hot, dry, windy) and it is about 80 outside.

LOL I guess I am a So Cal girl through and through!

[calgal]

I'm with princessjodi........like to look at the white stuff but not to live in it....burrrrr. We've been having upper 70 & low 80 degree temps. here on the central coast. If it drops into the 60's I wear jackets for sure.
Anyway I think boots are a great thing to buy the dog who is in freezing weather or very hot weather. I think any type of clothing that keeps them comfortable is great!

[shandoggy1]

Originally Posted by princessjodi

Why on earth would you go for a 3 - 4 mile walk when it is 12 degrees????? That is just crazy talk!!!

I would get a coat...at least to give it a try.

LOL! I know it sounds CRAZY to walk in that weather. But I am very dedicated to my dogs and I do it for them as well as for me. I love going hiking in the snow on a morning after a fresh snowfall.

[minpinsrock]

I think they need to boots! they are great for their feet! its cruel not to let them have them!!

[Mellie]

I live in New England, as well. I absolutely LOVE walking, running, hiking, and playing in the snow with my babies. Fortunately for the dogs, winter is my favorite season. They go nuts in the snow.
We had booties for Waldo (now deceased) because he refused to walk in the snow without them. We also had a winter coat for him, since he was an old guy with medical conditions. I wouldn't dream of taking Waldo out in the snow without suiting him up first.
I plan to use booties for Bubba when we go for winter runs. I want to protect him from salt and ice particles.
Peanut, on the other hand, isn't happy unless she's laying, rolling, and burrowing in snow in all her naked glory (well, you might consider her fur like a parka).
I think the level at which you take extra gear precautions for your dog depends on the dog him/herself, and the activity.

[princessjodi]

But I am very dedicated to my dogs and I do it for them as well as for me.

LOL My dogs have all been spoiled I guess...its hard for me to get them to go out in the rain let alone the snow!!!