Dog care/ Cold weather

[ATM]

I was out hunting this weekend in the snow with my pointer. After about 2 hours my pointer just quit he would not even move. Kind of scared me since he is so aggressive when hunting. My question is what do you guys do to care for your dogs when it is cold. I bought a neoprene vest. Do you guys use the booties when there is snow? how long do you hunt before taking a break to warm up.How cold is to cold when dogs are involved. Adam

[bigdog]

I have hunted my dogs in well below zero weather and wind. When it's below zero I put on the neoprene vest for sure, only use booties if the snow is crusted and beats up the feet. I always carry water and we usually share candy bars and granola as we work. Have only had a couple times when a dog quit hunting. Once it was a young dog and it was a blizzard, other time it was sore feet from crusted snow.

[Crossin' Eyes]

Pointers being a short-haired breed are probably a little more reluctant to hunt when it's really cold. I've known guys to keep a little thermos of hot water to give the dogs once in a while.
Boots are O.K. if you can get your dog to keep them on. Lots of guys think they are going to be the answer and the dogs won't wear them.
Every dog is different and has different temp. thresholds.

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Good Fishin!
Crossin

[BLACKJACK]

ATM, I've never tried the booties (how do you keep them on?) or the neoprene vests. You didn't say if you kenneled your dog outside or it was a house dog. If its a house dog, you need to get it acclimated more to outside, you try going outside in your T-shirt and shorts for two hours and see how you do.

I kennel my labs outside and have never had a problem in the snow and cold with them. I do think a person would ahve to be careful on a cold water duck hunt, too much sitting around for them after getting wet.

[Redlantern]

I use booties occasionally on my sled dogs. The main reason mushers use them is to prevent damage from abrasive surfaces. The cold isn't the reason. Some dogs also tend to get ice/snowballs one their feet. Generally between the pads or even on the nails. Trimming the hair on their feet does help. The booties I use are made of nylonf cordura, not fleece. Fleece doesn't work well since it collects snow, burrs, wears out quickly and stretches. If you have problems with the booties getting kicked off, put them on tighter. There is a lady in Duluth that makes great dogbooties pretty reasonably. Many variety to choose from. I use the ones that have something called Velstretch. Basically, elastic in Velcro. The dogs don't kick them off. Also, make sure your dog has a chance to try them before you really need them. It's so funny to watch a dog with booties on for the first time. They get used to it quickly. If you want an address to the dogbooties lady, let me know.

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Erik

[bigdog]

Eric,

I would like that lady's address. I have used some booties from Cabellas, nylon and cordura but still have troubles with them falling off. Should be OK to post here?

[Redlantern]

Bigdog, her HSOforum is dogbotties.com I hope I don't cause any trouble for this link.

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Erik

[ATM]

Thanks for the replys, went out this weekend,friday morning was pretty cold and my pointer lasted much longer, he is a pretty thin dog 45 pounds is all he wieghs, the pheasants are pretty thick in the cattails, Adam