It’s often easy to misjudge when the temperature becomes too much for your pet. Here we’ll examine do dachshunds get cold easily and what you can do about it. Are sweaters and jackets really necessary? Boots even? How can you even figure out if your dog is cold? Let’s try to answer each of these questions one by one.
Do Dachshunds Get Cold Easily?
Dachshunds are moderately susceptible to cold weather. They are not quite as cold-aversed as Chihuahuas, for example, but they are no Huskies either. This is especially true for short-haired dachshunds and smaller miniature dachshunds. Despite coming from the moderately cold climate of Germany, these dogs don’t do all too well in cold weather and will need some protection in the winter.
Read more about How Fast Can A Dachshund Run? – Should You Jog With Your Dachs?
Why Do Dachshunds Get Cold Easily?
You’d think being bred in Germany would make these dogs tolerant to cold but there are a few factors that make Doxies susceptible to cold weather:
Their short legs keep them way too close to the ground. This spells trouble not just in snow and puddles but even when it comes to something as simple as walking through dewy grass on a cold morning, for example.
Dachshunds are pretty small so, even when they have some extra fat – which they shouldn’t have – they still don’t have all that insulation compared to larger breeds.
Even though they are a double-coated breed, dachshunds don’t have all that much fur for external insulation either. This is especially true for short-haired dachshunds but don’t think that your long-haired dachshund is safe in the winter either.
So, while you absolutely can have a dachshund in a bit more northern climates than what’d be recommended for the more southern breeds, you should still be careful when you go out in the winter.
Are Dachshunds More Cold-averse Than Other Dog Breeds?
Dachshunds are not the most cold-averse breed out there but they are closer to the Chihuahua end of the spectrum than the Husky’s end. All in all, they are still relatively “moderate” in this regard but you should be wary of walking your dog in the snow, rain, and in cold weather in general.
How Can You Tell If Your Dachshund Is Feeling Cold? – Do Dachshunds Get Cold Easily?
People often ignore the signs that their dog is feeling cold even though they are pretty obvious even from a human’s point of view. The things to watch out for include:
- Shivering and shaking
- Frequently lifts paws off the ground
- Whining
- Barking
- Tucked tail and an overall hunched posture
- Clear discomfort and anxiety
- No desire for walking and attempts to turn back home
If you see even one of these symptoms clearly enough, it’s advisable that you just pick up your Doxie and go home.
What Can You Do For Your Dachshund When It’s Cold Outside?
Do Dachshunds Get Cold Easily? If you’ve ever mocked people for putting sweaters and jackets on your dogs but you then get a dachshund in a moderate or cold climate, prepare to do exactly what you’ve been mocking others about. Dachshunds absolutely need clothes for cold weather.
This can mean either sweaters for cold and dry weather or jackets for cold and wet weather. Or both in extreme situations. Generally, we’d recommend just going with a jacket – it’s better in most situations and some jackets also come with a built-in harness, handle, etc.
You can get a light jacket for the autumn and spring or just for a moderate climate in general, and you can get a heavy winter jacket if you live even further up north.
How about dog boots, are those necessary? Some people prefer just not taking their Doxies out if it’s so cold that boots are needed. This is an option as dachshunds can do their “duty” on doggy pads in the bathroom too. If you want to keep taking your dog out, however, then – yes, doggy boots can help keep your dog’s paws warm and dry.
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