For a lot of people around the world, it’s quite cold outside. In some places, it’s even snowing already. If that’s the case for you, you might be wondering how your pets feel about the cold — do they also not like it?
Some dogs love the cold, so if you have a fluffy dog that loves to roll around in the snow, fret not. However, other dog breeds don’t do as well in colder temperatures and frigid weather.
Potential dog owners in typically cold areas should remember that some dogs may suit their current circumstances better than others. A dog that spends a long time outdoors may benefit from extra protection. And of course, it doesn’t hurt to be extra careful when making sure that your pet is comfortable during the winter season. Just like us, they can get cold too.
5 Dog breeds that may not like the cold
1. Xoloitzcuintli
A lesser-known breed, Xoloitzcuintlis are dogs that originate from the ancient Aztecs. They can vary in size and coat length, but most who know of them are more familiar with the hairless variety. As hairless dogs do not have fur to protect them from the cold, it may be wise to put a jacket on them or something similar.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the sun can reflect off of white snow, causing sunburns during the winter in some areas of the world. This is good to keep in mind if you have a hairless dog. If so, apply a bit of sunscreen to your dogs if you want to spend a long time outside with them.
This is also good to keep in mind about yourself, as it’s easier to care for your dogs when you are healthy.
2. Dachshund
Dachshunds are known for their small size and their short legs. Both of these beloved qualities of the breed can quickly become problematic in colder weather.
Dachshunds are a breed of very small dogs that, according to the AKC, will have a more difficult time keeping their body heat at a safe temperature in the cold due to their size. A small amount of snow is also a lot for such a tiny dog. Unlike large dog breeds they can completely get enveloped in less than a foot of snow, so it’s good to make sure that this breed is safe when outside in the cold.
As Dachshunds have such small legs, their stomachs are much closer to touching cold ground than most dogs. This can cause more of their body to become wet much quicker, and the wet fur can lower their body temperature.
3. Poodle
A lot of Poodle owners want to cut their dog's coat, which can often leave some areas of the body more exposed than others. The way that Poodles are typically groomed can cause the dogs to be cold in some areas that would need heat, such as their torso or their legs.
Notably, a Poodle has a coat more similar to the hair of a human than the fur of a typical dog. Just like with human hair, the coat can get heavy when wet, which can be cumbersome and uncomfortable for the dog. If wet Poodle fur freezes in the cold weather, it can also clump up and make grooming them a more tedious ordeal.
Poodles also come in a variety of sizes, just like the Xoloitzcuintli. Larger poodles may have not much issue keeping their body heat high. However as stated with the Dachshund, smaller dogs can have issues when it comes to snow.
4. Italian Greyhound
Italian Greyhounds are small sighthounds with smooth coats and lean bodies. As such, these dogs may not like the winter season.
According to the AKC lean dogs such as these will have less protection from cold temperatures than stocky dogs, as they don’t have as much fat to keep their heat insulated. The smooth coats also mean they feel the cold more acutely than a dog with a thicker coat.
Also, as with the Dachshund and toy Poodles, the Italian Greyhound is smaller, which means that they will have more difficulties with maintaining their body temperature.
5. Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested is a mostly hairless breed of dog, which brings the same issues as the Xoloitzcuintlis. According to the AKC, there is a variety of Chinese Cresteds with a full coat (named the Powderpuff Chinese Crested); however, these are less known as opposed to the more iconic hairless variety.
Additionally, Chinese Cresteds have leaner, thin bodies. Much like Italian Greyhounds, as they have less fat on their bodies, they will be more susceptible to cold temperatures. They are also small, and thus it will be more difficult for them to generate enough heat for them to stay warm.
Of course though, just like with people, every dog is different. Some of you readers may have one of these breeds, and your dog may love playing in the snow just as much as the more fluffy big dogs do. Do you think that your dog will be enjoying this winter season?