Thread: Cold tolerance

probably cause hes a dog they dont have blankets and all that poofy shit in the wild

Originally Posted by northdude

probably cause hes a dog they dont have blankets and all that poofy shit in the wild

They also don't have the materials inside their kennel to make a nest like they would in the wild.

In the wild they are wolves, so have an entirely different coat unless you have malamutes or huskies.
Unless you mean African wild dogs which obviously don't need to deal with much cold. A modern dog in the wild is out of its element.

Originally Posted by rugerman

In the wild they are wolves, so have an entirely different coat unless you have malamutes or huskies.
Unless you mean African wild dogs which obviously don't need to deal with much cold. A modern dog in the wild is out of its element.

A lot of modern dogs can make nests. Ever hear of the toddler who got lost in the states, minus 8 degrees outside over night, neighbors pitbul found him, made them both a nest and they were found cosy in the morning. We had a Bull Terrier that would do it. He made neat wee nests out of straw and he was thick as pig shit.

Bit I agree, most just sit and freeze.

Yep they do. Nesting is useful for giving birth so is innate in dogs, but especially in bitches. Most critters will trample down the ground a bit to make it more comfortable to sleep. I had a dog who would dig a hole then lye in it, but that was more of a "this is my hole so get your own", since it was out in the open so would fill up if it rained. It's kind of like they know they should make a spot, but have lost the ability to be able to choose a good spot. Especially so with him, since he just got out of his hole and came inside for his yum yums

Originally Posted by Tussock

A lot of modern dogs can make nests. Ever hear of the toddler who got lost in the states, minus 8 degrees outside over night, neighbors pitbul found him, made them both a nest and they were found cosy in the morning. We had a Bull Terrier that would do it. He made neat wee nests out of straw and he was thick as pig shit.

Bit I agree, most just sit and freeze.

What a good story.

Haha! That’s gold @rugerman

My "handy dog" who really feels the cold as got making a nest out of a dead tussock down pat. Often makes herself one if we are sitting glassing for awhile. Quite a process!

That’s real cool. I love to watch their natural instincts at work.. awesome as

Originally Posted by Hunty1

My "handy dog" who really feels the cold as got making a nest out of a dead tussock down pat. Often makes herself one if we are sitting glassing for awhile. Quite a process!

Take a video some time. I love watching them (As @Sako851 said). I like the way they fuss around on their wee projects.

When I take my bitch fishing with me, off a sandy beach, she digs a shallow hole in a posi that uses me as a shelter from prevailing wind, then go to sleep in it with her head facing into the wind.

Cool thread. Unfortunately too many dog owners dont think enough about comfort for their mates. Kennels should generally face east/ north east so that southerly and nor west storms blow across rather than in. I like 300mm sides around kennel door to stop breeze blowing in so much. Morning sun when needed most and hot summer evening sun goes over the back. I have a hard top on the back half of the run to keep hot sun and rain off. Good draft free kennels with something to sleep on make a real difference. If the right size and design the dog can heat it with their own body heat. I have put my hand inside the boxes on snowy night with all the insulation etc and they are pretty cosy. There will always be a few dogs who kick all the bedding out though (muppets). I often fill my kennel boxes up with sacks so that they can move them around inside and make a nest. Cheap and easy to replace when needed. My dogs drag them in and out of the run during the day to sleep on them in sun too. A flap is a great thing if the dog wont eat it. The cactus bed sounds good. Some of the coldest dogs in my opinion are the ones who have to sleep in the laundry in a basket.

Ours get their own chairs in the lounge once they can be trusted, or the back of the truck if we are away from home. They are part of the family here. My old dog (husky) on the other hand slept outside always and snow was no problem either when we loved further sounth

Jacket probably too big yet??