Started By
Message
locked post

At What Temperature Do You Have to Bring the Dog Inside?

Posted on 12/23/13 at 10:26 pm
Posted by AlaTiger
America
Member since Aug 2006
21121 posts
Posted on 12/23/13 at 10:26 pm
I have a Golden Retriever and I am headed out of town for a few days. It will drop to 30-33 at night and will be in the mid to high 50s during the day. I have a igloo type dog house for her that I have put in our outdoor garage fill with straw on the bottom. My neighbor always comes over to feed her each day when we are gone, but she stays outside all of the time because of allergies with the kids in the house.

We could take her with us, but it would be kind of hard. I am wondering if this temperature is too cold to let her stay in the set up we have for her or if we will need to make other arrangements. We head out of town in a few days. Obviously, we'll do what we need to do, but just wanted to ask for some advice.

TIA
Posted by Croacka
Denham Springs
Member since Dec 2008
61441 posts
Posted on 12/23/13 at 10:28 pm to
My wife will make me put our lab in the garage if its really cold, but I consider that to be sub 20
Posted by ZacAttack
The Land Mass
Member since Oct 2012
6416 posts
Posted on 12/23/13 at 10:29 pm to
Should be fine.
Posted by AlaTiger
America
Member since Aug 2006
21121 posts
Posted on 12/23/13 at 10:29 pm to
So, does the outside garage count as inside? The door is open for her to get in and there is no heat in there.
Posted by kywildcatfanone
Wildcat Country!
Member since Oct 2012
119117 posts
Posted on 12/23/13 at 10:36 pm to
quote:

It will drop to 30-33 at night


That is not that cold at all for a large dog. I had a couple of Lab/Shepherd mixes and they loved the cold weather.
Now with that said, a dog house and straw will be fine.
Posted by Tridentds
Sugar Land
Member since Aug 2011
20372 posts
Posted on 12/23/13 at 10:42 pm to
We had dogs outside growing up and it was pretty cold sometimes. My dad used to run a car worklight into the doghouse. My guess is it had 75 watt bulb in it. He would leave the light on in the doghouse at night to keep them warm when it was really cold.

You could always put a small heating pad or a lightbulb in the igloo plugged into a cheap $5 plug in wall timer so it will be on from midnight to 6am or something like that. That would do it. I agree with the other comment that a retriever will be fine in 30 degree weather. Dog may/may not get a bit chilly but will be just fine.
Posted by Lefty Diego
West of the Pecos
Member since Aug 2009
701 posts
Posted on 12/23/13 at 10:44 pm to
Normally an inside or outside dog?
Posted by WhiskerBiscuitSlayer
Member since Jan 2013
13840 posts
Posted on 12/23/13 at 10:47 pm to
quote:

My dad used to run a car worklight into the doghouse. My guess is it had 75 watt bulb in it. He would leave the light on in the doghouse at night to keep them warm when it was really cold.

You could always put a small heating pad or a lightbulb in the igloo plugged into a cheap $5 plug in wall timer so it will be on from midnight to 6am or something like that. That would do it. I agree with the other comment that a retriever will be fine in 30 degree weather. Dog may/may not get a bit chilly but will be just fine.


We used to do the same, it stayed plenty warm with that light on.
Posted by hunt66
Member since Aug 2011
1484 posts
Posted on 12/23/13 at 10:48 pm to
IMO if you have a good dog house and some hay, you will be fine with those temps.
Posted by Tridentds
Sugar Land
Member since Aug 2011
20372 posts
Posted on 12/23/13 at 10:49 pm to
Dogs always slept outside. We had temps in the 30s and 40s and they were fine. When temps dropped into the low 20s and teens he did the lightbulb thing.

OP may be dealing with wife also so he might want to do something to "keep the peace" or the dogs are going to go with them.
Posted by AlaTiger
America
Member since Aug 2006
21121 posts
Posted on 12/23/13 at 10:50 pm to
Normally outside. We bring her in and put her in the laundry room when it drops below 40 degrees just to keep her comfortable, but she is outside the rest of the time.

It will get to 33 tonight and I am keeping her out and will check on her when it gets to be the coldest just to see how she does.

With being out of town, I just want to make sure it is ok.
Posted by AlaTiger
America
Member since Aug 2006
21121 posts
Posted on 12/23/13 at 10:53 pm to
quote:

OP may be dealing with wife also so he might want to do something to "keep the peace" or the dogs are going to go with them.


Nailed it.

But, I want to do the right thing too. We live in South Alabama so it rarely gets cold here and when it does, we are almost always home to let the Golden in.

I am also thinking with a low of 30 and a high of 57, it won't be below freezing for that long each day. It isn't like the highs will only be in the 30s, so the garage will warm up and it might not even be that cold in there - especially out of the wind.

Thanks for the advice, guys.
Posted by fisherbm1112
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2010
6567 posts
Posted on 12/23/13 at 10:54 pm to
Any, both of our labs stay inside most of the time.
Posted by GREENHEAD22
Member since Nov 2009
19592 posts
Posted on 12/24/13 at 12:29 am to
It doesn't get cold enough in LA for me to bring my big lab in.
Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
260333 posts
Posted on 12/24/13 at 12:33 am to
quote:

It will drop to 30-33 at night and will be in the mid to high 50s during the day


Just put some straw or hay inside the dog house. Dogs thrive in cold weather.
Posted by USMCTiger03
Member since Sep 2007
71176 posts
Posted on 12/24/13 at 12:50 am to
quote:

Golden Retriever

That fuzzy frick will swim in 30 degree water and not give one frick. Will probably actually be very comfortable around 30 in a doghouse with straw. A good thick blanket would be even better.
Posted by TIGERFANZZ
THE Death Valley
Member since Nov 2007
4057 posts
Posted on 12/24/13 at 6:55 am to
Barring temps in the teens or single digits, a dog with a thick coat will be fine with a few essentials, a dog house, dry bedding, and protection from the wind. Your Golden will be perfectly fine with those expected temps.
Posted by ZacAttack
The Land Mass
Member since Oct 2012
6416 posts
Posted on 12/24/13 at 7:51 am to
Our beagles stay outside and will not go in their house unless it's raining. I've gone to get them to go hunting and had to knock the frost off of them, they seem as happy as can be. Your big golden should be fine.
Posted by DeepSouthSportsman
frick Bama
Member since Jul 2012
4635 posts
Posted on 12/24/13 at 8:04 am to
My labs get off swimming in 30 degree water
Posted by tenfoe
Member since Jun 2011
6846 posts
Posted on 12/24/13 at 8:07 am to
Tell me, has anyone heard of a dog dying from being too cold?

first pageprev pagePage 1 of 2Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram