During winter some dogs may feel the cold more than others. Typically, the smaller the dog and the shorter the fur, the more the dog will struggle to keep warm. Larger breeds with low body fat percentage can also feel the cold quite acutely. 

Small and short coated dog breeds: 

• Jack Russells 
• Poodles 
• Whippets 
• Dachshunds 
• Chihuahuas 
• Basset Hounds 
• Yorkshire Terriers 

Large but short coated dog breeds: 

• Dalmatians 
• Staffies 
• Greyhounds 
• Doberman Pinschers 

All these breeds are more susceptible to the cold; however, any dog will get cold if left in the cold or wet for too long.

• Below 10*C – some small to medium sized dogs may need to be walked in a jumper or coat dependent on the length of their fur, activity levels, and how long they’ll be outside 
• Below 5*C – certain larger dog breeds can begin to become affected by the cold weather and may need to wear a coat. Pay close attention to their time spent outside and behaviour in the cold 
• Minus 5*C or less – Although you know your dog best, please be wary when walking any breed or size of dog in such low temperatures as this can cause frostbite and paw injuries 

If the ground on your usual walk is particularly icy or cold, try introducing booties to your dog’s usual walk wear. Although we understand that most pets aren’t used to having their paws covered, they’ll prevent painful injuries caused by ice, snow, or slush. To help your dog get used to footwear, try putting booties on when they’re at home, and reward them for good behaviour. Gradually increase the amount of time spent in the boots until they’re comfortable wearing them out on walks.  

Aside from the temperature outside and size of your dog, there are many other complications and conditions that mean your dog will need to wrap up such as age. 

Dogs more susceptible to illness, such as the sick, very old or very young, and dogs that suffer from arthritis can benefit from wrapping up in a warm coat for walks and be thoroughly dried afterwards. Check with your vet that a warm winter coat will help as it is equally important to ensure your dog doesn’t overheat either!  

With the nights drawing in, most dogs will be going out for their evening walks in the dark. Always use a light up collar or lead for their evening walks and consider using a reflective fleece winter jumper. This advice is especially important for black dogs as they can seem to disappear into the night. 

Reflective collars and leads are made with a fabric that reflects when hit with light. They can be helpful when walking your dog at night as headlights from cars and flashlights from people will illuminate your pet if they get lost. However, reflective collars and fabric don’t generate their own light, so your pet can remain unseen if at a great distance or if not directly exposed to an outside source of light. 

Products are available that produce light and can help your dog stay visible in the dark. These can be very useful. It is however, important that these are not left with your dog unattended. They will contain a battery power source, and this is dangerous if ingested.  

Try to avoid walking your dog off lead at nighttime as they can become disoriented, and spending a night outside in the cold during the winter can sometimes be fatal.  

Depending on your breed of dog, they may be more interested in staying indoors all winter. All dogs should have regular bathroom breaks outside and plenty of opportunity for exercise – in many cases that may mean more playtime or training indoors to stimulate the brain.  

Outdoor exercise is best kept to nicer days where it’s not as cold. Some breeds such as Huskies or Malamutes are originally bred to be outdoors and have thick dense coats which help them tolerate the cold better. Keep an eye on your pet to ensure they’re coping well in the cold. They should be allowed to return inside as soon as they wish. Remember, if it’s too cold for you it’s probably too cold for your pet. 

In the winter, some dogs end up with dry, rough, and cracked dog paws. This can be due to a combination of salt, grit, and cold concrete on pavements. When bringing your dog in from their walks, consider washing their feet with lukewarm water and drying thoroughly afterwards. There are paw balms available to moisturise their paw pads which may help. Continuous dry, rough, or cracked paw pads can sometimes be a sign of illness so contact your vet if it doesn’t seem to improve or seem to get worse over time. These cracks in your dog's pads can sometimes bleed or get infected. In this case, you should contact your vet to make sure your dog is comfortable and healthy.  

Some dogs like Huskies are designed for cold weather and will want to spend endless time outdoors. Other dogs like Whippets may be less keen. Ensure that your dogs are warm, comfortable, and dry through winter. This may mean a thick winter coat, drying them once they get indoors, or a waterproof jacket to protect them from the snow. 

Washing and drying their feet once they come indoors after a walk will prevent any salt burns to their paws and will prevent them from ingesting any grit or salt when licking their paws.  

At nighttime, ensure that your dog is easily seen and using a secure lead and collar to keep them safe. With low visibility due to the darkness, reflective or light up leads and collars can be an easy way to keep track of your pet. 

Over winter, ensure that your dog's beds are away from draughty or cold areas of the house and that they have a nice warm area to cozy up in. Some dogs may benefit from a fleece or jumper inside the house, depending on the breed or dog and general temperature of the house. 

If you have an open fire or fireplace, keep dogs away and protect them from spitting embers and skin burns with a mesh fire guard. 

Some dogs may start to show signs of arthritis or stiffness over winter, especially if they’re on the older side. The cold weather can make stiff joints painful, if there are any concerns about health then contact your veterinarian for more tailored advice for your pet.  

• Waterproof and warm winter coat - this is dependent on your breed of dog. In general, the smaller the dog and the thinner their coat, the more likely they’ll need a coat. Older pets, or dogs who are unwell, will benefit greatly from a coat 
• Jumper or vest for indoors - some dogs have trouble regulating their temperature even when indoors, this includes dogs who have thin coats, low body fat percentage or are particularly small. Keep an eye on your pet to see how they’re coping – signs of stress or overheating like panting indicate that an indoor jumper may not be right for them 
• Booties - some dogs may not tolerate booties, but they’re a great way to protect your pup’s paws from the salt, grit, and cold ground 
• Reflective or light up collars or leads - keeping your dog safe in the dark nights drawing in closer 
• Bedding - a bed with a thick base, kept away from areas with draughts or open doors, will keep your pet cozy all winter.