Dogs in cold water

[bsmit212]

Was out at the park yesterday, it was 40 out but my pup still went and hit all of her usual swim spots in the creek (been into the low 30s past several nights so water had to be really cold). I was wondering, at what point should I be trying to stop her from getting into the water because it is a risk to her health? Or will she instinctively know that the water is too cold and stay out?

[Mudslide]

I think her instincts will kick in, but when depends on the thickness of the fur and the dogs threshold for pain/discomfort. My dog has short hair, so in the 40s for her we're having to get the doggie sweater out.....seriously she's that wimpy!

[woodsman]

It's not about the dog being wimpy, the short haired breeds have become accustomed to the warmer climates. My friends Pitt Bull is quite a large dog, but he suffers in the cold like the rest of us. There are other dogs however who have water resistant coats, like the wolf, they won't even notice the water.

[Grandpa]

My fat old lab will swim in any open water and now with the water frozen over, he rolls in the snow for his daily bath. When camping, he knows he isn't allowed in the tent with wet feet. It is hillarious to see him try to get that last drink at night without getting his feet wet.

[ppine]

Dogs know a lot about how to be dogs. If one was shivering or having trouble walking I would stop throwing sticks.

[Barney]

Once a friend's young dog had a hear attack and died because he was playing with other dogs the entire in the sun when we were camping and had barely anything to drink. The vet said that there was a chance to save him by dipping him in the cold mountain creek near buy. The shock could have been helpful.

[CozInCowtown]

Just use good judgement, you dog depends on you to take care of him/her.
What I tell my people who work for me is "When in doubt, don't!".

[Hikenhunter]

Labs and other retreivers have hollow hairs that grow next to their skin.These insulate by trapping body heat in next to the skin. that is why they can work in the water in freezing conditions. It is also why they overheat more easily than other shorter hair dogs when they are very active in warm weather. To answer your original question I think your dog will know when it is uncomfortable to get wet because of the temperature of the water.

[BGreen]

There's a lot to be said for natural instinct. We had a lab once who practically lived in the water. It didn't matter what time of year, she was always coming home drenched. We just knew she was going to die either from the elements or from snakebite. She lived well past old age in doggie years.

[TakeAHike]

I am pretty sure that your dog knows when the water is too cold for them. If it gets uncomfortable they will come out. I didn't know that about the special hairs on retrievers, that is pretty cool.