Speaking of dogs...adapting to cold (apartment, condo, townhouse)

[katyusha25]

Has anyone ever brought their short-haired dog from a perpetually warm state to NoVA?

I'm bringing my dogs back here over Christmas break, and I'm just wondering if they will adapt really quick to the weather or if they'll need jackets or something.
Yes, they have fur, but neither of them have fur warm enough for them to adjust so quickly from SoCAL weather to a Virginia winter.

Any advice? Or do I have any reason to be concerned?

[Novadhd5150]

Hi Katyusha
We moved a couple years ago from a warmer climate and have two dogs..Our short haired dog was generally fine except for some very cold days where she would shiver if left outside for too long. If your dog is not used to it and is small then I would just get a sweater of some sort..I isn't cold enough for a jacket unless your dog is spoiled. But that is up to you..I would just see how she does with a sweater.
Will you have a yard or live in condo/apartment as walking them can make a difference as opposed to just letting them out.

[katyusha25]

Originally Posted by Novadhd5150

Hi Katyusha
We moved a couple years ago from a warmer climate and have two dogs..Our short haired dog was generally fine except for some very cold days where she would shiver if left outside for too long. If your dog is not used to it and is small then I would just get a sweater of some sort..I isn't cold enough for a jacket unless your dog is spoiled. But that is up to you..I would just see how she does with a sweater.
Will you have a yard or live in condo/apartment as walking them can make a difference as opposed to just letting them out.

The townhouse I live in doesn't have a yard, so I will have to walk them myself...would that make it better or worse?

[movingtodcfromseattle]

We have two beagles, one young, one older. Last winter the older one was always shivering, unless I put a sweater on him. Needless to say, he adores his little blue sweater. The wind can be downright chilling if you aren't used to it. I'd buy one just in case. We have a yard, but always walk the boys and I don't think walking or not walking matters.

[MrsHunny]

Our dogs (Pekingnese and Poodle) have wool, Redskins winter jackets - even though they were both born and raised in this area. They're spoiled.

[katyusha25]

That's the other thing, too - my dogs are older.
One is 11 and the other is 9. I'm kind of scared that the 11 year old dog won't take to it too well and will make her joints a disaster.

[Novadhd5150]

Trust me you arent moving to Minnesota.
If the cold concerns you just get them a jacket and sweater and use your judgement.
The winters here are not that severe..(last season was a fluke)

[CaliTerp07]

It's not so much an adapting thing. Dogs with short fur aren't made to be out in the cold for long periods of time. Heck, even my long furred fluffy mutt isn't thrilled being out in the cold for longer than 10-15 minutes unless she's running full out. Your dogs are older, so that's an additional concern.

There are a lot of good jackets out there (and they're not all foo-foo for little dogs!). These are one of the best ones I've found for the money.

Shedrow 840D Dog Blanket [BLS3000]

You can play it by ear and see what happens. If they seem fine, don't worry about it. It's not alaska, but it IS cold, and dogs with fur like a doberman or pittie (that's what I picture when you say short) aren't meant for that kind of cold.

[austindoxie1972]

My short-haired dachshund moved here from Texas in 2006, and has done well. She's an inside dog and burrows in a blanket during the day if she's cold. During our walks in winter, I put a coat on her and she has rarely shivered. She has a bad back (degenerating discs) and the winters have not worsened her condition. I think your dog will be fine!

[LynchburgLover]

Go to Petco or Petsmart; you'll be amazed at the variety and styles for all kinds of dogs. It's really kind of amazing -- sweaters, raincoats, Halloween costumes, etc. I'm surprised they haven't come out with bathrobes and slippers . . . yet.