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Snow Question and Pics

2K views 23 replies 11 participants last post by  gamermouse0213 
#1 ·
Hey everybody!
So tomorrow Zeus has a playdate with some of his buddies from class. Most of them are long coated dogs. The play session is taking place at a ski area in the mountains, so of course there will be snow on the ground! Being a Central Texas girl, I barely know how to dress myself for the occasion. My wardrobe consists of mostly jeans and... yeah, that's probably not going to work! But I'll figure it out. My question is, should I have Zeus wear his fleece coat during the play session, or will he be ok going au naturel? I usually put his coat on when the temps in the city are in the low 30s or below, but I feel like since he'll be running around with his pals, he may not need it. And the snow will probably make it wet. I looked up the forecast for tomorrow, and the temp will be at around 27 degrees when we're there. Opinions would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Also, Zeus pictures from yesterday! Just cuz

20191210_100348 by Crystal Robinson, on Flickr

20191210_101503 by Crystal Robinson, on Flickr

20191210_101705 by Crystal Robinson, on Flickr

2019-12-11_09-52-21 by Crystal Robinson, on Flickr
 
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#3 ·
I'd start out with it on, and see how it goes. If he starts looking like he's getting too hot, take it off. If he's got more than one coat, take along another one to replace the wet one. If he's got a heavier coat, take that along, as well for afterwards, so he doesn't cool down too much too fast.

As for you, a quick trip to the store for some CuddleDuds long underwear would be a good idea. I've got both the smooth and fuzzy long johns, and prefer the fuzzy.
 
#4 ·
Gamer - RULE NUMBER 1 - when going out in the winter - ALWAYS go prepared for anything and everything :grin2:

I would take all of Zeus winter attire and see what the weather is when get there - Your other friends going will give you there thoughts on what to put on Zeus - I will also add - I wouldn't let him over do it in cold temps and lots of running ! And don't let him drink to much water after play time !

And for you little Missy - I would say that shorts and a Tank Top would be sufficient >:)>:)>:)>:)

Have fun
 
#6 ·
As a "True Northerner" jeans also make up the bulk of my winter wardrobe lol! I do have a pair of snowboarding pants however for times I know I might be treading deeper snow.

Now, the lady Nadia is pretty cold tolerant for a Doberman so may not be the best reference, but my rule of thumb is generally to bring her coat with me and us IF needed. If I notice her getting cold, I put it on. Occasionally if it's really cold and I expect we will do a lot of walking (as in, walking to the park for instance) instead of driving, I will put the coat on as we leave the house, remove it once at the park, and re-add it if necessary.

But I also have a Hurtta horse-blanket style coat moreso than fleece jammies, so it is a lot easier to put on and off.
 
#8 · (Edited)
In general, be prepared. But if he's moving around freely playing and carrying on, and it's in the mid to upper twenties, especially if it's sunny, I wouldn't worry about it. I feel the dog's ears from time to time--if they start to feel cool or cold to the touch, that's when I judge it's time to put the coat on.

And you'll need to keep an extra eye on him if he's standing around on a leash, and especially after exercise, when he may not have as much energy reserves to keep himself as warm as he needs to be.

Have fun!!
 
#10 ·
Thanks for the feedback everyone! I'll definitely bring his fleece coat just in case along with his rain jacket because it has a soft and warm inner lining. I'll keep a close eye on him, and if he starts looking uncomfortable, I'll throw one of his jackets on. If my fingers aren't freezing off, I'll take lots of pics! I need to invest in some of those gloves that phones can still sense your fingers while wearing!

And I now have some long johns (for me), woohoo! Thanks for the advice on how to keep the both of us warm.
 
#11 ·
It also depends on how the dogs play...if they are really rough and like to grab at each other (like mine)...sometimes they will grab onto the neck of the coat and yank and tear. Which, isn't always great, if you love the coat! Believe me, I've "repaired" a lot of holes in coats...just sayin'! Generally, it depends on how hard your dog is playing, how cold tolerant they are, etc. Mine do wear their fleece in those temps, but they are mostly running, not necessarily rough and tumble playing. I will say, Richter has, on more than one occasion, flopped down in a melted pond in his fleece in those types of temps. And then I'm left with a soaking wet fleece and a soaking wet dog! So he's probably warmer than I think he is :)
 
#14 ·
Zeus will probably be OK, but you might be affected depending on how high you go how quickly, how long you stay there and how much exertion you take on.

I think a lot of people in good health coming from sea level (but you live a lot higher than that, don't you?) start to notice a little something at about 10,000. Slightly out-of-breath, a little light headed and maybe a bit of a headache. If you start coughing and feel uncoordinated or confused, head for a doctor immediately--you'll need to go down 2-3000 feet right away. But that is quite rare...like 1/10,000.

Stay hydrated (especially if you're tippling). And HAVE FUN!!!!


I'm thinking I'm too late with this advice anyway--I think you're already there???? We expect a full account and PICTURES of your expedition.
 
#16 ·
Zeus will probably be OK, but you might be affected depending on how high you go how quickly, how long you stay there and how much exertion you take on.

I think a lot of people in good health coming from sea level (but you live a lot higher than that, don't you?) start to notice a little something at about 10,000. Slightly out-of-breath, a little light headed and maybe a bit of a headache. If you start coughing and feel uncoordinated or confused, head for a doctor immediately--you'll need to go down 2-3000 feet right away. But that is quite rare...like 1/10,000.
I live at about 20 feet above sea level. I've had the altitude bother me in Pueblo, which is only 4,690-ish. In Rye, at 6,800-ish, I had to be extra careful about not over exerting myself.

The only dog I ever think the altitude bothered was Gin, and she'd just been diagnosed with an enlarged heart. She never traveled again.
 
#15 ·
I'm late too--I used to go occasionally up in the mountains during the winter and my Dobes went without coats to start with especially if they were playing with each other or other dogs. Also if the snow was wet they didn't wear coats because a wet coat didn't keep them warmer and the water ended up getting them cold faster. Like Melbrod I checked their ears occasionally to see if they seemed cold.

When the play slowed down, or the temperature dropped and their ears got to feeling really cold I'd add a fairly heavy fleece (or double fleece) and end the play day in the snow.

I was never high enough (mostly at low pass levels--5,000 or slightly higher) for the altitude to affect me and it didn't seem to affect the dogs.

Good luck--sounds like fun.

dobebug
 
#22 ·
We drove to California and then home by way of Colorado in August of last year. I just have to remember to be careful when we are higher up. It didn't use to bother me so much, but it does now.
 
#18 ·
We did it!!
And the altitude didn't seem to effect Zeus much, but omg I felt it! One sign that I paid attention to on the drive up the mountain said we were at 8,000 feet at one point, and it only got higher as we hoofed it up the ski slope itself! Talk about losing your breath! The dogs were all good to go though. It was us humans that were huffing and puffing as we went up, lol.
He didn't need any of the things I brought for him, but I'm glad I brought it anyway because most assuredly he would've needed it if I didn't have it. Zeus didn't even shiver. He was so busy running around I don't think he even felt the cold. I kept checking his ears and watching him for any signs of "I don't like this, it's too cold!" but he had a fantastic time. We spent almost two hours out there, hiking and playing. I took a lot of pictures, most of which aren't very good. Here are some decent ones from today! Then, my phone sporadically died! Apparently the battery doesn't like cold temperatures and jumped from 15% to 0% in the span of 2 seconds. :/


2019-12-12_05-42-08 by Crystal Robinson, on Flickr

20191212_114118 by Crystal Robinson, on Flickr

20191212_111645 by Crystal Robinson, on Flickr

20191212_111613 by Crystal Robinson, on Flickr

20191212_115255 by Crystal Robinson, on Flickr

20191212_120648 by Crystal Robinson, on Flickr
 
#21 ·
@melbrod There were a total of 6 dogs. :) Three belonged to the trainer (two border collies and a furry Chinese crested), two to another client (border collie mix and a black lab), and Zeus! :2smile:
Zeus has never been super interested in playing with other dogs. At best, he'll directly interact with them maybe 50% of the time. The other half he's happy just running around, sniffing, exploring, and in this instance, eating snow!
 
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