Not only Siberian Huskies can withstand the cold

As the cold weather approaches, coats are being put on pets, but not all dogs need the extra protection from the elements.

In the cold it is natural for us to put on more layers as we seek comfort and protection. We live in a lucky world, nowadays you can have pretty much any breed of dog you want. However, this means that we move breeds out of their “natural habitat”, the environment for which they were bred. Dogs that were designed for minimal temperature fluctuations suddenly find themselves in an environment where they have to endure everything from sub-zero temperatures to summer heat. Some four-legged animals need help in the cold because they can’t stand it; they don’t have the right ‘accessories’, i.e. the fur to protect them. Dog coats are primarily designed for them, because it’s not good for them to walk around underdressed in the cold.

On the other hand, there are the huskies, for example, who are really in their element in the cold. Among other things, they are the subject of videos where they happily sleep curled up in the snow, even in the heaviest snowfall. But they’re not the only dogs that can handle the cold!

The wonders of a double coat

We call it double coat: a characteristic type of coat consisting of two distinct layers. Its advantage is that it allows dogs to adapt well to the weather (especially cold), but the disadvantage is that it causes a lot of shedding.

The soft, dense fur closer to the dog’s skin is a kind of insulating layer that helps to retain heat in winter and keep it out in summer by trapping air between the fibres. The topcoat is the outer protective layer, made up of stiffer and longer fibres. Its purpose is to protect the dog from wind, rain and snow. This protective structure is not present in dogs that have a single coat. They need the extra protection, and a dog coat is not a waste of money in their case. Especially when the temperature drops below 10 degrees.

Not all double-coated dogs are as well prepared as, for example, the husky, but most can cope well with temperatures around 0 degrees Celsius. Especially if they are not exposed to the elements for the whole day. Golden retrievers are often cited as an example.They have a double coat, but are happy to wear a dog coat in temperatures below 7 degrees, especially if they are going for a long walk with their owner.

Dog breeds that enjoy cold weather

For some reason, the first thing that comes to everyone’s mind is huskies, as the breed has become very popular recently. However, there are many other dogs who can cope with the cold, and even like the frosty climate, and are happy to roll around not only in the tender grass but also in the crunchy snow.

Saint Bernard

St. Bernards were once used as avalanche dogs. According to some records, they could rescue people from under several metres of snow in the Alps. These dogs were really made to roam cold, snow-covered landscapes, so it’s no surprise that they can handle the milder winters as well.

Newfoundland

A huge dog from Canada who is an excellent swimmer and not afraid of icy waters. It is said to have helped fishermen in the past, so it’s not surprising that its fur is so resistant to environmental conditions.

Alaskan malamute

It is often mistaken for the Siberian Husky, but it is a much more robust sled dog. No wonder it was made for cold weather!

Tibetan mastiff

An ancient working dog of nomadic herders, former guardian of the Himalayas and Tibetan monasteries. Bold and tenacious, it is not fazed by cold weather.

Chow chow

Thestory of thechow chow is really poignant, poor dogs had to endure a lot for a really long time. There are several records proving that they were kept for their fur. Fortunately, most chow chows can now keep their fur coat to protect them from the harsh weather.