Winter Camping with Indoor Dog

[WalleyeDundee]

I need some help with a little dilemma. My camping buddy (my dog) is kinda a wimp when it comes to the cold. I was camping this weekend (approx 30 degrees at night) and she was shaking. Eventually, she found a way to sneak in and crawl to the foot of my mummy bag. There wasn't room for both of us, so I ended up sleeping with my top half exposed to the cold.

If my dog can't handle 30 degrees, winter camping would not be an option. Any ideas?

[fishnhooks]

Maybe get the dog a kids sleeping bag...Just a thought

"hooks"

[Powerstroke]

Do you get your little dogs hair cut routinely? My friend has her dogs hair cut all the time like its more important than actually brushing the thing. he dog gets more haircuts than me. Anyway, their dog was shivering this summer in the BWCA cause it was raining and 50 degrees out.

My point is that you should make sure they grow their natural coat and develop their winter coat of hair. If you wouldn't feel comfortable leaving your dog outside for a few hours during the winter than I would say you can't bring your dog winter camping. They make cold weather dog beds, bags and heated dog bowls. Its up to you how far you're willing to go to see if your pooch can hack it.

[koochiching]

Quote:

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I need some help with a little dilemma... If my dog can't handle 30 degrees, winter camping would not be an option. Any ideas?

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Hi Dundee,

I've been tent camping with my dog(s) for over 20 years, usually up until the first snowfalls in mid November. My current dog is an older mixed breed (English Springer Spaniel and Aussie Sheep Dog) and I shear her coat every spring so she is more comfortable in summer heat and humidity. Also, that long Sheep Dog hair attracts sand burrs and thistles like a magnet!

Hair doesn't always grow back uniformly on older dogs, and they develop "bald spots"... I've found that synthetic Microweave blankets work well in temps to the mid 40s; you spread the blanket out next to your bag, set the dog one side of the blanket, then cover the dog with the other half of the blanket. Fold the blanket back so the dog's head is almost exposed. The dog quickly adapts to spending the night under this warm cover... But the blanket is insufficient in colder weather...

I use an inexpensive Hollofil regular (not mummy style) bag by Coleman during colder weather. Unzip it and spread it out, set the dog down on one side, then zip up the bottom and part of the side, leaving the dog's head near the top opening. Works well to just below freezing...

But in colder weather, you have to bring your dog into your bag with you. Super size mummy bags, or extra long and wide regular bags, are necessary for this to work with dogs over 40 pounds. Invariably the dog wants to sleep with its head at the bottom of the bag; if you have a double zipper, it helps to open the zipper at the bottom just a small amount; wear your long johns and boot socks, and cover the opening inside the bag with your shirt, or a towel... The dog will press its side or back against your leg, so you'll have a living hot pack all night long! Using an XL Woods down bag, the dog and I have been comfortable in below zero weather with this arrangement...

Good luck.

kooch

[WalleyeDundee]

Great info. Thanks Kooch. I'll give it a try.