8 Winter Pet Care Tips

Even dogs of the same breed are different! My 160# Great
Pyreneese (sire from Alaska) had a very dense coat. My 140# Great
Pyreneese (sire from France) had a very sparse coat and had to be
protect from sunburn. They were not compatible to winter
conditions. The early St. Bernards bred for rescue had problems
with ice clumps forming in their fur, becoming so heavy that they
couldn't move, and they died. Now the long curly coats are the show
dogs and rescue dogs have shorter coats.

Please remember, too, that even long-haired cats aren't nearly
as cold-tolerant as dogs. Cats are generally very sensitive to cold
temperatures and need to be protected and have warm shelter even if
they grow a dense winter coat.

Wow! I am so sorry to see Mother Earth News publishing bad
advise like this. This reads straight from the ill-informed
"humane" society. A great number of dogs are specifically bred for
cold climate and are NOT comfortable indoors in the winter. They
have heavy fur coats and prefer being outdoors. Additionally they
must be outdoors because that is where their job is. They also do
not need or want insulated dog houses. You are projecting your
human needs and ideals onto another species that does not need or
what it. You need to stop dreaming and get in touch with the real
world.

While WJeffries' comments are correct as far as they go, people
who have pets of the City veriety (small dogs and cats) would be
well advised to pay attention to your pet winter tips. Jeffries'
admonitions have to do with a small group of special case animals
that thrive in the winter conditions of the Northern States. I'm
sure the scolding did'nt mean to imply that all animals don't need
indulated houses for winter night time outdoor stays, even though
that is what it sounded like to me. I once had a Great Pyranese dog
and she loved to go to the mountains durring snow conditions and
romp. Once, we found outselves in blizzard conditions and she
curled up in the bed of the pickup and vanished under the snow.
Snow can be a nice warm blanket to a mountain dog. I didn't know
where she was until I called her name and she stuck her head up.
I've also had dogs with short hair that would have froze to death
in the same conditions. Keep up the good work. Thanks.