Are there dogs that enjoy being out in the extreme cold? ?

Question

A co worker and I are having a mild argument. She claims that Huskies are used to being in the cold. I say it is too cold for ANY animal to be out for any amount of time. Currently our temps are -11 and -28 with the wind chill.

The people across the street from our office has a Husky that is outside all the time (at least 8am - 5pm that we know of). I called Animal Control once because it did not have a dog house. Now it has one, but there is nothing inside it to help keep the dog warm. I left a message for Animal Control because this poor dog is outside today in these below zero temps. My co-worker thinks I am over reacting because of the breed of dog. I say she needs to spend a few hours in this temp and then tell me I am over reacting!

Answer 1

Northern breed dogs were developed to work and live in extreme cold. Most mushers agree the best temperatures for a working Siberian are -10 degrees or colder...anything else and they slow down because they're too warm.



If the dog has acclimated to the temp (i.e. he wasn't just brought there from Arizona yesterday), he's likely fine.



THAT SAID, I don't believe any dog should be left outside without shelter, and I do think all dogs should have straw in their dog houses when the temp hits 20 degrees or below.



I'd be more concerned that the dog was outside alone -- this shows that the owners don't understand the breed. I'd also be concerned about hydration in those temps. Obviously any water the dog has is frozen, if you haven't seen anyone out there replenishing it.



But the temperature itself? Not a huge concern.

I have Siberians who will sleep on top of their dog houses when it's snowing. Northern breed dogs were bred for cold temps.

Answer 2

In those temperatures it is definately a good idea to keep a dog in. But some breeds of dogs, and some individual dogs, prefer to be outside. I have a coonhound who hates being inside. We provide a nice big kennel and an insulated dog house (which we built a door on) with straw & she's happy. We've brought her in when it is very cold out & she hates it. Always whining at the door to go back out. My aunt has a airedale that is the same. Some dogs just don't like it indoors.

That being said, if a dog will be outside for prolonged periods of time they need adaquete shelter, water, & food. The pads should also be checked periodically - the cold can cause some damage to pads. I would say you've done your part if you've called animal control. It's now up to them & the owner to take care of the situation. If nothing is being done then animal control is satisfied or they will eventually take the dog.

Answer 3

I obviously cannot see the actual conditions for the dog from here - but the breed is the one that helped 'find' the north pole - they did not bring warm blankets for those dogs either. They are fairly content to dig themselves a hole and get out of the wind, and they are fine. If the dog can do that - and is out all the time - then his coat is made for that kind of weather. If he was indoors most of the time and then left out he would not be acclimated to the weather and it would cause problems. Just remember the bunnies and squirrels are out there as well. Nature can usually take care of itself as long as humans don't interfere to much. Wolves live in Alaska, upper Canada, and all along the tundra. They are fine. A husky that is kept strictly outdoors will also be fine as long as there is shelter from the wind.



(BTW if it was mine though - and if for some reason I had to keep him out - I would have straw or hay thick inside that dog house)

Answer 4

I would agree with you both.



Many huskies prefer the outdoors, most don't even need a dog house.

(especially sled teams)



My co worker had a husky/malamute who refused to come inside, if you tried you'd think you were murdering him. He would dig a hole in the snow and curl up in it. His coat was soo thick that the rain would bead off of him rather then soak through.



I doubt there is any issue with the dog not enjoying himself in the cold air where you are. If he's used to being outside i'm sure his coat is nice and thick enough for him.



Now on the other hand, My siberian husky is an indoor dog and i wouldn't let him out in this for that long. Right now he is curled up on my couch looking out the window.



He enjoys the cold.. when i let him outside he'll do his business, run around and come back onto the deck and jump in his chair where he curls his body up and his head in and falls asleep. He doesn't care if it's snowing or not... he doesn't care if it's raining.



I care though :)



He is my baby, and he loves the indoors as much as the outdoors. He loves curling up on the couch with me or the cats, or curling up in his crate. He has lots of toys in here and bones to keep himself occupied.

We still go out everyday and throw the ball around and go for a walk, but i feel better when i know he's no doubt warm and safe.



Each to their own i suppose! :)

Answer 5

My dog Ayla, a Chow, Husky, Retriever mix, has no problems with the cold. She's outside right now,and it's about 18º (without wind-chill). After an hour or two, she'll get bored and come in. She doesn't sleep outside, but that's because we treat her more like a human than a dog! Otherwise, she can be out for hours, especially if we are with her.

Answer 6

You are not over-reacting...you are a warm wonderful concerned person who can spot abuse of animals..If you were to call any animal control in the northeast about an animal left in FREEZING weather the Humane Society will WARN the people to put the dog inside.. If they return and find the people ignored them..They will take the dog ..



There are a lot of cruel people who throw there dogs in a backyard when they cant be bothered with them anymore .These people don't have the decency to find the dog a home with people who will love and protect it like a family member. Instead of like cattle.



In New York the Humane society goes all over looking for dogs... in yards.. living out in freezing conditions or in the snow. The Humane Society quickly take the dogs away from the people who have lost interest in a family pet they are supposed to protect..and FINE them heavily and warn them to NOT get another dog..



YOU ARE NOT OVER REACTING..YOU HAPPEN TO SEE THE CRUELTY, ABUSE AND NEGLECT OTHERS ARE DESENSITIZED OR BLIND TO..



THAT DOG WILL HUG YOU IN HEAVEN AND THANK YOU FOR GETTING IT OUT OF THE COLD...by called the humane Society and animal control on it's abusive, negligent owners...

Answer 7

People in Alaska who keep working sled dogs, house their dogs outside, with appropriate shelter....no matter what the weather.



For centuries, the native Alaskan/Northern tribal people have used dogs for transportation & other working purposes, and their dogs certainly weren't housepets (igloo-pets? LOL)....



I agree it's unfair to keep even a northern breed dog outside without appropriate refuge from the elements- it's the same temperature where I live....forecast to -21 tonight, ACTUAL temperature. A suitable doghouse should be insulated, small enough to hold the dog's body heat, have a small opening designed to keep wind & snow drifts out.....a lot of prefab doghouses on the market are NOT acceptable for extreme cold IMO. Most people who keep working sled dogs, build their own doghouses using time-tested & proven designs that actually provide a warm shelter for the dogs.



The coat of a Husky or other northern breed is extremely thick & provides a great deal of protection for the dog against the cold. Plenty of people work outside all day long in temperatures like you describe...it's NOT too cold for humans to be outside, provided they wear adequate clothing to protect them from the cold. A Husky is naturally equipped to handle the cold, like a person wearing layers & insulated clothing :).

Answer 8

Yeah, tell my huskies that they're supposed to be out in sub zero temperatures:



http://members.toast.net/resqer/photos/dogs/bookends2.jpg



Huskies and malamutes can live in cold temperatures. Provided they're used to it. You wouldn't want to keep one in the house for a couple of years and then decide "Oh it's a husky, it will be fine outside" That's just cruel.



The dogs that run in sled dog races are conditioned to the extreme temperatures. But they usually spend their time in a kennel rather than just staked outside 24/7.



Any dog, regardless of breed and condition, can suffer from frostbite of the ears, nose, paw pads, etc. if they're outside in the frigid temperatures we're currently experiencing.

Answer 9

I do agree that no dog should be subjected to staying outside in the cold weather with no companions --

but Huskies, Malamutes and Alaskans were bred to stand such temperatures.

Answer 10

I'm not 100 percent sure about huskies, but when the weather got severe here. ( I have a border collie and a jack russell) The Jack Russell just refused to even go outside! I had to lure her out, but my Border Collie jumped out, played in the snow ect, and she loved to for hours. her coat is thick and strong, and obviously the others is very short. So maybe it's ok! Look at the dog, does it look okay? or is it huddled up in a corner shivering? She just might love it out there!

Answer 11

My Samoyeds often would sleep atop their dog houses in minus 30 degree weather (windchill at -60) ... when its especially cold the sun is out and they enjoyed sunbathing. I can honestly say, I don't believe I EVER saw one of my dogs INSIDE a dog house. These dogs were primarily housedogs who I would have to DRAG inside the house... they loved the cold.. and would fidget and pant until I let them back outside to lay in a snowdrift.



Please realize northern breeds were BRED to be out in extreme cold. While it may seem cold to you there in MI I can guarantee that Siberia gets colder... and the people who developed Siberian Huskies did not have them as housedogs... nor did they likely provide them with dog houses.

Answer 12

I have a Siberian Husky and he is outside right now. I live near Chicago and it's 9 degrees and still snowing. He prefers to be out in the snow. Someone is always home and if he wants in, he just barks. We have a doghouse for him but he does not go in it. He's getting old so he doesn't jump and play as much as he used to. If he is comfy, he just digs a hole and lays in it. Like I said, he'll bark if he's uncomfortable. I will tell you that he hates the rain.

Answer 13

Huskies Akita and saint Bernard's were breed for living in extremal cold areas. they would be fine outside in -11 weather.

Answer 14

My Newfs have free access to the house, yet NEVER stay in at night. Partly because they enjoy barking at the deer and other things outside at night, and partly because we have a wood stove and it is hot inside for them.



They have about an acre of open space outside and they have several dog houses and straw and a well insulated "doggie shed" that was a total waste since they rarely use it.



It is their choice and it is VERY cold in upstae NY right now!!!!



**And comparing your co-worker to a Husky is pretty LAME!!!!

Answer 15

huskies and malamute were originally bred to tolerate cold weather but personally i think its cruel to keep any dog out in the elements for any length of time..

my rule is..if im cold the dog is cold...

i have owned both huskies and malamutes and if it got too cold outside i would bring them indoors..

Answer 16

I think the dog should not be outside. The least they could do would be to use their garage or get a shed that attaches to their yard/kennel that they can put a doggy door in and then the dog can go in there to a nice warm soft bed. A dog house is crap in my opinion!

Answer 17

You can provide all the shelter you want for a Husky and the dog will still be outside. They are built for EXTREME weather and are perfectly happy laying in the snow curled up with their tails over their noses during a blizzard.

Answer 18

My father had a pair of hounds, hunting dogs, that absolutely HATED being in the house. And so, a ginormous kennel was constructed for them and they lived there quite happily for 12 or so years. We live in lower Mich and the weather goes to extremes (duh) and they did quite well in all conditions.



They also had proper shelter and bedding, food, and human interaction, all are a MUST for an out-door dog.

Answer 19

I would get involved too. Huskies are not meant to be left alone for that long. They are one of the most pack oriented dog breeds in existence. Now, bear in mind that Huskies who live in southern climes are probably not acclimatized to weather you would find in the North regardless if they've been bred to do so. It's minus 25 C today-actually -39 C with wind chill. My guy has his boots on and only stays out for 3 minutes to do his tour of duty and that's it!

The rule of thumb is that once the temperature hits negative double digits (-10C)ears and pads are susceptible to frostbite.

I frequently call the Humane society for dogs left outdoors. Someone has to speak up for them! (One has to wonder why those morons have a Husky( a working dog) if they are not around all day, but I digress...)

Answer 20

I knew people with a husky once. They provided a nice, insulated dog house... that the dog slept on top of.



So yes, there are dogs that actually prefer to be outside, even in cold weather. And remember - huskies and related breeds are accustomed to very cold weather!

Answer 21

I agree!!! If it's too cold for you, then it's too cold for your animal. They get cold too, I have a lab and I wouldn't leave him outside longer then I don't want to be out. People have no common sense when it comes to dogs, they are ignorant. That Husky should be inside, no doubt.

Answer 22

Actually, Huskies and Malamutes are bred to weather extremely cold temperatures and if a dog is outside 24/7 year round, it can actually be detrimental to bring them in because then they start blowing hteir coat and it doesn't offer protection anymore. They do need a snug dog house and access to water, but your co-worker is mostly right. Sorry!