How cold is too cold?

[Mercury]

Just wondering what you consider is too cold for a dog to stay outside (JRT and Australian shepherd)? The last couple of days its been in the low 40's with a ton of wind so they have been inside in kennels. Does it ever get too cold to take a dog on a walk?

Sorry, its just been awhile since I've had a dog and this it the first time since i was 12 that i've had one over the winter (I fostered a dog over the summer once). The dog I had growing up was a very hairy mutt who loved the cold and being outside so we never worried about it.

[SedonaThunder]

All three of my dogs stay in the house if it is going to be 32 or below - otherwise they are in the kennel which has an indoor (garage with dog house in it) and outdoor (12x12 sand lot) area. My old man (13 y/o Beagle) stays in alone if it is below 40 as he starts to shiver. I do still let him go for walks and play outside, if it's not raining, all the way down to 20 degrees if it's for a short time and I put his "coat" (it looks just like a horse blanket) on him. If they are out on frozen ground or snow for more than twenty minutes (and will be getting their feet dried after) then many I know will put booties on their paws.

Your Aussie is probably absolutely fine in the cold weather (my Golden is) but your little guy will probably be awful darn cold unless his buddy is curled up with him on some warm bedding - I use the same shavings my horses have in the dog kennel.

[Oreos Girl]

I think it depends on the dog and what is it's normal environment. Where does the dog stay most of the time? Inside or outside? If it is an inside dog and used to inside temperatures then I think I wouldn't want it out for long when it is colder than about 30 degrees F. If the dogs are normally outside, then it is a question of much you can stand. I had a sheltie in PA several years ago that was an inside dog and basically other than when it was really cold and snowy, it didn't bother her except her paws would hurt from the snow. I then bought little boots for her and she was mostly fine. (She hated the boots too).

[WashingtonBay]

I usually used straw when I had outdoor dog beds, only because it can be piled deep and nested in and didn't seem to stick to my cocker like shavings do. Short haired breeds it's less of a problem. That dog was like velcro for picking up debris.

I wouldn't have a little dog as an outdoor-only dog.... heck none of mine are outdoor only, but when I was working in town and would have to leave mine all day, I left them out in for the day in most weather unless it was really stormy. But they had full access to either a dog house on my covered porch, or full access to the barn with their house in it... depending on the era of my life. I don't think a dog house alone, with no other protection from wind and rain, is going to be enough for a little dog. A house within a shelter, yes.

[vicklynn]

Dogs outside...LMBO. Dont tell that to my dogs, they go outside 4 times a day, unless I go out for a ciggy. If Gizzy is home, he goes out more often, but my dogs stay inside, they'd laugh at you if you told them they had to stay outside permanently. They do kennel and or go to the pasture, if we are outside working. They still pout, honestly. Both my dogs are within 5 feet of me sleeping, and usually are. Oh, and dont tell them they are dogs..lol..they wont believe you. They know they are my kids...LMBO...Im such a sucker.
Oh and if its raining, Shyla is NOT going outside, she will hold it, not sure how she does it. If I know its gonna rain, Ill send her out for awhile(15-20 min)..lol

[Mercury]

Hehe! Normally they are outside during the day except in bad weather. They have a large igloo dog house with a tark covering a section of their kennel. Its a 28x14 space. Then they are inside at night. Neither can really be trusted inside by themselves especially the JRT... they come up with their own amusements... Once my roommates move out we will probably start locking them in the kitchen where they can play but for now they are staying in their indoor kennels. I feel bad about that since I work 8 hrs and they are highly energetic dogs. Oh well, that's what the dog park is for I guess!