While many articles have covered protection from heat, winter presents its own challenges — and contrary to popular belief, not all dogs are equally equipped to handle cold.

Not all dogs are equal when it comes to cold

Nordic breeds like the Husky (see our portrait) have a remarkably insulating double coat that keeps them perfectly comfortable at very low temperatures. Conversely, short-coated breeds (French Bulldog, Boxer, sighthounds), small dogs with low body mass such as the Chihuahua mentioned in our portrait, puppies, seniors, and sick dogs are noticeably more sensitive to cold and genuinely benefit from protection.

Winter coats

  • Who for: cold-sensitive breeds, elderly, sick, or recovering dogs, small breeds
  • Criteria: waterproofing, insulation, a precise fit that doesn't hinder movement, coverage of the chest and belly (poorly protected areas)
  • The right balance: a coat on a fit Husky is useless, even counterproductive; on an elderly sighthound in severe cold, it provides genuine help

Protecting the paw pads

Cold, snow, and especially road salt attack the paw pads. Two complementary approaches:

Boots, discussed in our dedicated article, offer complete protection against salt and frost, provided there's gradual habituation

Protective balms, applied before going out, create a barrier against salt and limit drying out

In all cases, rinsing the paws upon return remains essential, since road salt is irritating and toxic if licked — a point connected to the issues covered in our article on poisoning.

Watching for hypothermia and frostbite

Unlike the well-known heatstroke, hypothermia in dogs remains underestimated. Shivering, lethargy, seeking out warmth, and stiff movements are warning signs. The extremities (ears, tail, paw pads) are most exposed to frostbite during prolonged exposure to very low temperatures.

Equipment for the winter sport dog

For winter disciplines like skijoring, covered in our dedicated article, the equipment differs: it's not about warming a dog during exertion (which generates its own heat), but about protecting the paw pads from ice and managing rest periods, when cooling sets in quickly after exertion.

Common sense before equipment

As with heat, equipment never replaces good judgment: adjusting the length of outings, avoiding prolonged exposure to severe cold for sensitive breeds, and planning for drying off and warming up on return remain the fundamentals — equipment comes as a complement, never a substitute.

Also available in English: the ideal first aid kit for the active dog, the Bernedoodle: the crossbreed winning over families and the basics of dog training: recall and socialization. More translations are added over time.