Winter protection

[Sharon]

I often get asked what a person's dog needs for winter hunting( coat etc.) - upland. I've never felt anything much is needed , but I could be wrong.

Below 10 degrees and I don't take the setters out.
I do use "Musher's Secret" to keep the ice balls out of their feet.

1/What do you think is needed?

2/ How are late season retrievers cared for when the water gets near freezing or ...........?

PS Watch that early winter ice forming that won't support a dog's weight.

It's coming!

[dutchhunter]

my hound run all winter . I try to keep the hunts short and make sure thy get lots of water .and I keep a close eye on there feet any sign of blood and I clean them up .the hounds are pretty hardy and just love to hunt

[Sudsee]

My dog stays in an outside run with an insulated house full of straw all day through the winter and comes in at night. I think a good healthy coat goes a long way. I use the mushers secret as well with limited success. Looking for other options for the ice balls. As far as ice balls on their coat I spray them with mane and tail. Everything gets so slippery nothing can stick.

[400bigbear]

My dogs poop and pee outside even at -40 . I'm not much for coddling a hunting dog and companion . Good thick coats keep a dog warm .

TD

[vom Dufenshmirtz]

When the snow is wet I use Musher's Secret, I also trim the fur in the pads 1-2 per winter with hair clipper.
When it gets into -25 I only notice my dogs run a bit faster
I am careful for the dogs not to walk into road salt in the city, it irritates the pads and can melt/freeze snow causing icicles and discomfort.
I don't hunt around ice cold water much, but my dogs broke ice before and if they keep running around, they're fine.
If the dog has to sit in a blind after that ppl usually put neoprene vests and/or dry them with a towel.
I am sure retriever folks will chime in on that.
My dogs live in the house, so they don't develop very thick coat, when I hunt they sleep in a tent or truck with me.
Couple years ago it went to -23 at night and she was fine with only my hunting coat on top of her.
Depends on the breed, of course.

[Dakota Creek]

If the dog has to sit in a blind after that ppl usually put neoprene vests and/or dry them with a towel.

The S.U.G.A.R. coat is a nice addition to working a dog in cold weather. It is a cape-like coat in either camo or white water resistent shell (depending upon the time of year you are hunting) and has either a fleece or wool lining. The lining is removable so that the coat can be used at "warmer" temps strictly as a wind-shell or for drying out the coat. It has magnetic closures down the front opening so the dog can "break" out of the coat when sent for a retrieve. It also has a D-ring along the back edge so that you can stake the coat, so the dog can be sitting remotely from you, sent for the retrieve and not take the coat along on the retrieve with them!

[yellow dog]

I instantly thought of the singer entertainer James Brown when one of his band members would put a cape on him during a show.lol.

Nice picture of your lab wearing the cape/coat but does it bother your dog at all ?

[Dakota Creek]

This is not my dog, but we had no problem with our guys and the coat. Just made sure to introduce it to the dog prior to going out on the first hunt where we wanted to use it on the dog.

[yellow dog]

Deffinately would be of benefit to the late season duck dog .

[bonecollector23]

Yeah I recently purchased the s.u.g.a.r coat for my pup and he is so much warmer in it.