wisturkeyhunter
New member
They can handle a lot more cold and snow than you'll see in Texas especially moving through good bird cover.
Cold Dog Advice ...
- Thread starter JMc
- Start date
I am a vet, and I have seen my own dog start shivering with cold while hunting in thick cover that was wet. She was an English setter. I was very cold too, but temps were only in the low forties, but with a drizzling rain and heavy cover we were both soaked. Hypothermia can set in on any body in those conditions. My point is to watch out for your dogs as well as yourself. I would think at temps well below freezing the wetting of the coat is not a problem. Being dry at those low temps is easier than being wet at higher temps, for the dog that is. I was in NE one time and met a fellow Georgian staying at the same motel. He had three dogs staying under a "dog house" of sorts, sleeping on the truck bed, bare metal! The structure had a six inch gap all around the bottom for ventilation!!!! and a tin roof. It was homemade from 2x4's and house siding boards. No straw! I told him if he didn't go get at least some wheat straw for bedding I would call the local Vet and the police. It was criminal what he was doing, hunting those dogs hard and making them sleep on the metal in below freezing temps! Please do not think I am implying that anyone on here is doing something like that, because I am only saying though, that there are some awfully ignorant folks out there, and that guy was one of them.
If your dogs are dry they will enjoy it, IMO which is what everyone else is saying, but if it is raining and the cover is wet be careful. Another of the dangers is in mild weather turning off cold and partially freezing ponds where the dogs can break through, and they can't get out. That's a sad way to lose a dog! Take water for them to drink too even when it is so cold they need to drink. Have fun and enjoy your hunt!
If your dogs are dry they will enjoy it, IMO which is what everyone else is saying, but if it is raining and the cover is wet be careful. Another of the dangers is in mild weather turning off cold and partially freezing ponds where the dogs can break through, and they can't get out. That's a sad way to lose a dog! Take water for them to drink too even when it is so cold they need to drink. Have fun and enjoy your hunt!
wesslpointer
New member
Mite want to put a lab"s coat on her. Ha ha www.wesslpointer.com
JMc
Super Moderator
Started the day at 2 degrees...wasn't as bad as expected but it was definitely cold. No snow but a light wind. Saw more than we expected and came away with 6 birds. Moisture coming in tonight so we will see how it goes in the am. Dogs did great...hunters not so great! Funny how walkers become blockers after a few passes.
KATroutman13
Member
We hunted that Kansas cold this past weekend. The dogs did fine while hunting and seemed to do pretty well in the kennel at night. Here are my suggestions, in addition to those above:
1) Put vaseline on/in the dog's paws before heading out in the snow (it will keep the ice balls off -- and make sure to put it in the cab with you otherwise it will be hard to apply);
2) If you are keeping your dogs in a box outside you need to make sure of a couple of things -- a) they have a great windbreak; b) make them heat as little space as possible (I've got to mast this one as I usually hunt with another guy and my big box has a divider with holes in it for airflow, i.e. my 2 dogs are heating a 4 dog space): c) Lots of fresh hay/straw -- LOTS OF IT. This is a fantastic insulator for the dog and I believe it is markedly more comfortable; d) make sure their space has a little air vent, the dogs will produce condensation and then you have wet hay and wet dogs; d) overfeed your dog -- not a ton, but you have to realize that they are burning more energy than usual trying to stay warm/heat the box. I try to feed dogs 30 minutes after our last hunt is over. I usually feed 2 1/3 cups of PPP, during hunting weekends, I'll feed closer to 3 with 1/2 can of Alpo Slices in gravy with a can full of water. When it's really close, I'll feed closer to 4 cups with 1/2 can of Alpo. I also give them warm water with their meal. Before I hit the hay, I give them some scraps off of my dinner, usually the fattiest part I can find. I think this helps them perform better during the day.
3) Keep them running until they are in the box. Don't piddle around -- get 'em a drink and get them in the box;
4) Water is essential! We think it is cool, so they aren't going to get as thirsty and that's just not true. The air is a lot drier and they are still working hard. Also, usually if it is this cold, the water they would regularly access is frozen, so they rely on your water almost exclusively. Keep them hydrated.
1) Put vaseline on/in the dog's paws before heading out in the snow (it will keep the ice balls off -- and make sure to put it in the cab with you otherwise it will be hard to apply);
2) If you are keeping your dogs in a box outside you need to make sure of a couple of things -- a) they have a great windbreak; b) make them heat as little space as possible (I've got to mast this one as I usually hunt with another guy and my big box has a divider with holes in it for airflow, i.e. my 2 dogs are heating a 4 dog space): c) Lots of fresh hay/straw -- LOTS OF IT. This is a fantastic insulator for the dog and I believe it is markedly more comfortable; d) make sure their space has a little air vent, the dogs will produce condensation and then you have wet hay and wet dogs; d) overfeed your dog -- not a ton, but you have to realize that they are burning more energy than usual trying to stay warm/heat the box. I try to feed dogs 30 minutes after our last hunt is over. I usually feed 2 1/3 cups of PPP, during hunting weekends, I'll feed closer to 3 with 1/2 can of Alpo Slices in gravy with a can full of water. When it's really close, I'll feed closer to 4 cups with 1/2 can of Alpo. I also give them warm water with their meal. Before I hit the hay, I give them some scraps off of my dinner, usually the fattiest part I can find. I think this helps them perform better during the day.
3) Keep them running until they are in the box. Don't piddle around -- get 'em a drink and get them in the box;
4) Water is essential! We think it is cool, so they aren't going to get as thirsty and that's just not true. The air is a lot drier and they are still working hard. Also, usually if it is this cold, the water they would regularly access is frozen, so they rely on your water almost exclusively. Keep them hydrated.