Can Bernedoodles Handle The Cold?
It’s a cold, snowy winter morning with a fresh 6 inches of snow on the ground. It’s time to take your puppy out to go potty. Will they be super excited or dread going out? The good news is that generally Bernedoodles can not only handle the cold, but they LOVE the cold and the snow. But there are some precautions you should consider both for a snowy day and the cold in general.
Bernedoodles, because of their Bernese Mountain Dog background, are essentially built for the cold. As a matter of fact, they generally prefer it as compared to warm weather months and climates.
Cooper, who is an Australian Mountain Doodle tends to get over heated in the summer and prefers the AC cooled house. In the winter, though, he absolutely loves going outside and actually thrives in the cold weather. He never wants to come inside!
But there are precautions you should take to ensure your Bernedoodle can handle the cold
Taking Precautions
Grooming
The first thing you should consider is grooming. In the summer months you’ll want to give your pooch a short cut. But the Bernedoodle coats are what keep them warm in the winter. That said, you’ll still need to groom your pup so make sure you limit winter “cuts” to just a trim so they stay warm when they’re outside.
Attire
The next thing to consider is a doggy coat. Depending on how cold it is outside, your Bernedoodle’s fur, regardless of grooming or not, may not be warm enough if you intend on taking them out for long periods of time (anything beyond 20 min). In the instances of long exposure to the cold, a doggy coat is a good option to ensure your furry friend stays toasty warm in the elements.
Another consideration is your puppy’s paws. Like their human counterparts, dogs can get frostbite on exposed skin, which includes their paws. Ears and tail are other areas for concern, but the paws are the biggest since they’re making contact with the ground or snow.
Ensure you limit walks to no more than 20-30min and keep an eye on your puppy’s paws when you’re done, especially if there’s snow on the ground. If there is snow, it’s highly likely that there will be snow stuck between your puppy’s paw pads at the end of the walk. Make sure to check each paw and gently remove the snow that might have gotten stuck.
To avoid paw concerns, you can purchase booties for your pup to protect them from the elements. There are other reasons you’ll want to consider booties if you’re planning to walk your Bernedoodle in the cold, which we’ll cover next. But first, here are some booties you may want to consider.
Note that your dog will most likely start walking funny when you get these on your pup. Coopy swung and flung his legs a bit and walked very awkwardly at first. While it was hilarious to see, we also felt a little bad for him. We didn’t want him to be in discomfort so we gave him some time in the yard to get used to them before actually going on a walk. After 15 minutes or so, he started to walk a bit more normal and we took him for a short walk. He still shakes and flings his legs when we put the booties on but he settles into them. You just need to give your furry friend some time to get used to them.
Booties
These boots offer anti-slip and are highly rated for comfort. Other than protecting your dogs paws, we think comfort is the most important feature to look for especially if you go on hikes or long walks. These shoes are adjustable to provide maximum comfort. and there’s a size chart to help you chose the right set for your pup though the manufacturer recommends you measure your dog’s paws. The only negative about these boots is that they only come in two colors: black and red.
2. Lukovee Dog Boots
The Lukovee Dog Boots are adjustable and breathable offering dark colors with a number of color accents. While the toes are waterpoorf, submerging the entire paw in water will get your dog’s paws wet, so be aware of that. These anti-slip booties will keep your dog steady while on those icy winter walks.
3. KOOLTAIL Anti Slip Dog Socks
For something a little different, we suggest taking a look at the Kooltail Anti Slip Dog socks. These slip-ons are easy to get on and off your pup. They can be pulled up high or folded down low depending on you and your pup’s preference. While there aren’t many color options, these socks appear comfortable while also keeping your dogs paws warm and a way form ice/salt. The only potentially concern is durability so we recommend you research these thoroughly before making a purchase. Wear them high, or low, the choice is yours
Surfaces
You also want consider the surface you’ll be walking or hiking on. If it’s streets/sidewalks, you need to be cautious of ice melt. Some ice melt can be toxic or caustic to animals. As such you should always be aware of where you’re walking your pup and what has been placed on the icy spots. Some owners are able to get their pups used to wearing booties that help to protect the paws and paw pads from any ice melt that could harm their furry friends. At the very least, you can wash your pups’ paws off immediately after their walks to be safe.
Weather
If it’s snowing when you’re outside or your pup has been bounding around in the snow, they’ll probably have a bunch of little (or big) snowballs in their fur. These snowballs that form don’t come out very easily, but you’ll want to remove them relatively quickly before they melt. Doing so will make your Bernedoodle more comfortable and prevent a mess in the house as well as decreasing the risk of matting in their fur. The best method for removing the snowballs is using an egg whisk. Simply brush the whisk through their fur and the snowballs should start to come loose.
So can Bernedoodles handle the cold? Absolutely! Most likely your Bernedoodle will not only handle the cold but will thrive in the cold. Following some common sense precautions will keep your puppy safe and happy in a cold environment. Keep your furry friends toasty warm in the cold!
