Is My Dog Cold in Cold Weather?

Hey Adam, did you see that picture that I sent you? That is Belly in the snow!

Hey there, yah - Belly looks content! 

Are you sure? That is actually my question. I constantly think that he is cold in the cold weather. I bought him many sweaters and jackets but he seems to hate them. How can I keep him warm in the winter? Also, often I avoid walks when it's too cold outside, just because I am afraid Belly will be uncomfortable. What do you think?

I think that dogs communicate if they have an issue through their body language. For example, if you go out for a walk with Belly in weather that's too cold for him, he will either motion to go back into the house, resist moving forward, or walk with his tail in between his legs. In the picture Belly is laying in the snow and he looks very comfortable...

That is very confusing to me. How can a domesticated dog be comfortable laying in the snow? He is not a penguin:-)

I see. Even though Belly is not as adapted to the cold as his ancestors, he does look like a herding dog. These dogs have been selectively bred for about 4000 years. That's 4000 years of adapting to being outdoors. Because of this, it's very likely that Belly has strong instincts for surviving happily outdoors. Even so, I have seen many Chihuahuas who do well in similar weather as long as they keep moving. Their bodies are designed to move blood quickly and keep their core temperature warm. 
So don't skip out on the walks, they are more important than you may think, and a source of wellbeing!

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Disclaimer: The contents of this blog are intended for informational purposes only. The contents are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your vet with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition of your dog/s.
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