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Yes, Labradors love cold weather and snow.
Because of their love of snow and their ability to swim in ice cold water, Labradors make excellent winter companions. If the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, however, it is best to bring your Lab inside. Despite the fact that Labradors were bred to withstand the cold, they are susceptible to health problems if overexposed to it.
Even while Labradors enjoy being outside in the cold, you must take precautions to preserve their health and well-being when the temperature drops significantly below freezing, especially in the winter.
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Cold Weather Was a Priority When Creating the Labs
To fully appreciate why Labradors are well-suited to cold climates, one must first grasp their ancestry. With their thick coat and ability to survive in cold weather, Labs have been popular pets over the years because of their versatility.
The origins of Labrador breeding can be traced back to the 1500s in Newfoundland, Canada. The average daily temperature in Newfoundland can went as low as 32 ℉ in the winter and never get above 61 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.
A working dog, known as the St John's Dog, was brought to the area by settlers and is where the modern-day Lab originated. Dogs with thick, water-resistant double coats are said to have been used by fisherman in the 1500s to draw in nets and to pull ropes through one boat to the other. The birds of prey were also employed for land-based predation. Dogs like these were especially useful to the early inhabitants for winter work in the frigid seawater, when water temperatures dropped to - 32 degrees Fahrenheit on occasion.
A Labrador is clearly bred to work in frigid weather, but there is such a such as "too cold" for this breed. You must not leave the Lab outside in icy temperatures for more than the amount of time it would take you to get frostbite. If your pet's water bowl gets frozen solid while you were out, you may want to bring him back inside. Look at the numerous aspects that affect how much a Labrador can withstand in the cold.
Dual-Coated Labradors are able to withstand cold weather.
Labradors have a special coat that helps keep them warm during the cold months. "Well insulated" is an excellent description of Labradors. For some Lab owners, the shedding of their dog's thick double coat at different periods of the year is a major source of frustration. When it comes to Labs, their coats can become a little dirty, but this is exactly why they'll do well in the cold.
The coat of a Labrador is made up of two layers of fur. The topcoat is on the outside, and the undercoat is on the inside. When it comes to cold weather, Labs have a built-in tolerance for it. Temperature-regulating properties are provided by the dog's undercoat. As the undercoat produces an oil slick that keeps the Lab's skin dry, while still swimming, the Lab's fur is able to repel water.
A Labrador's Tolerance for Cold:
In general, labs can tolerate temperatures as low as 20 ° Fahrenheit, but this isn't true for all of them, even within the same species. Is it safe for the Lab to be subjected to frigid temperatures? In the end, it's all about the dog. Even though your Lab is able to withstand freezing conditions, that doesn't imply it's always safe to do so.
Cold Weather Health Issues for Labrador Retrievers
Even if you don't give it much thought, the prevalent health disorders in Labradors can be exacerbated or even created by the cold. If your dog has arthritis or joint pain, the cold weather might exacerbate the symptoms. Hip dysplasia is a prevalent problem in Labrador Retrievers. Stiffness, wear - and - tear on the joint, and even joint dislocation are all symptoms of this degenerative joint condition.
How to Keep Your Labrador Warm in the Winter?
Your Labrador doesn't have to suffer because it's cold outside. The Labrador Retriever is like a family member if you have one. In order to keep the Labrador safe and warm in the winter, you'll need to put some extra effort. The following are three ways to keep your pet warm in the winter.
Make It Simple to Find and Drink Healthy Food and Water
When it's cold outside, it's easy to forget about your Lab's need for fresh water. The cold weather may lead you to believe that you don't require quite so much water as you would in the summer. Assuming that your Lab isn't thirsty when she's outside is harmful because she'll be exerting herself. For this reason, if you leave your dog's water bowls outside in the cold, you should check on them frequently to ensure that he or she has access to clean drinking water whenever the need arises.
This winter rule of thumb can also be applied to your diet. Your Lab will need more energy dashing about and perhaps shivering during the chilly weather. You can feed your Lab a very little bit more food at night in the cold.
Outside Kennel and Plush in Door Bed are a must have.
No matter how hard you try, there will be occasions when you are unable to instantly attend to your Labrador's needs if you leave him out in the cold overnight. Having a safe place for your dog to flee to when the weather is getting too chilly is a good "just in case" precaution. There must be a wind-proof entrance to this kennel.
Make sure your pet has a place to curl up with some pillows and blankets. Inside, you'll need a well-cushioned bed and a few blankets for your Labrador Retriever. Set the bed up in a place where your Labrador can claim it as hers.
Allow Your Labrador to Stay in Your House.
Even in cold weather, some dog owners believe it is okay to keep their pets outside unattended. This should be avoided at all costs. If your pet asks to come inside with the entire family, be sure you're ready to let her in when she asks.
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