Frostbite
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| I guess that depends on the air temperature, the "wet" factor and other variales. I can say my dogs have spent hours outside in the cold and none have ever had an issue. |
| If it's too cold for you, it's too cold for the dog is a good general rule of thumb.
Dogs have a higher body temp than humans and their fur is designed to protect them however paw pads, noses, ears are still very susceptible to frostbite. My poor boy Willy was only out for ten minutes the other day and his paw pads were bleeding from running around on the ice  Not just temp is an issue. |
| Dogs who are used to being outside for long periods have developed ways of keeping warm and avoiding frostbite. (they have to have the undercoat too) The long tail (ok, missing in ours) is used to cover the nose when the dog is curled up. The pads are turned and put against the body and the dog curls to conserve heat. My giant breed dogs and the Sibbie could fall asleep outside easily and wake up covered in snow, "What the heck is this??" My first OES was mostly outside, even preferring to sleep outside in subzero temps, snug as a bug in her dog house with her St. B buddie. No pussie livin' in the house for her, she wanted to be outside all the time, just too much to do out there.
Housedogs who do not have the full undercoat, who don't have the tail, or the "brains" to know how to stay warm probably need to be inside or if left outside for a few hours, with a shelter and warm bedding where they remain dry....and the sense to use it. |
| Mine are housedogs. Our usual climate is hot to cold but not usually this much snow. They go out to play and I am out there supervising them but the younger one LOVES to jump into the drifts and lay there. She acts like a snow angle, laying there and running her legs back and forth with her nose pressed into the snow banks. Cute, but I worry she might get frostbite on the nose and belly.
I've been letting them play out there about half and hour max. Then they come in and we towel dry and use the dryer for snow dingle berries. Lots of work! But they are cute out there 
And this is after me working 12 hours at my job! And shoveling...and cooking...  |
| Let them tell you when they are ready to come in. Mine knock and if I'm not available they have dog beds by the door, out of the weather, to snuggle in until I can get them back in. If I'm away, they either snuggle on their beds or double up in the crate in the garage......now that's a sight!
Sounds just delightful at your place. Your pups enjoy the snow and you get all the extra work drying them off afterwards No, I've never seen a nose or belly frost bitten......let them make snow angels, they'll let you know when they are uncomfortable.
Years ago I remember a sheepdog who went missing in Alaska...in winter...and survived quite well. Her long coat protected her and she was smart enough to dig snow caves to keep warm. I'm sure mine wouldn't know about caves. |
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