I am pretty sure that as a kid you knew someone whose dog, particularly a Border Collie, lives on a farm and the dog was outdoors all winter. Even if you haven’t, you probably have had this belief coming from the movies. But is it true — are Border Collies good with cold weather?
Do Border Collies Like Cold Weather?
Of course! The depth of winter will not stop a Border Collie from having fun. I have seen plenty of Border Collies trudging happily through the snow, while others herded sheep and cattle with great fervor.
Hard to believe? Check out YouTube! Although the breed is not designed to withstand the harshest of winter conditions, the vast majority can spend a good amount of time outdoors.
Border Collies can tolerate chilling temperatures due to their coat. If you don’t know it yet, a Border Collie can either have a medium-length rough coat or a short smooth coat. Either way, collies shed their light summer coat and grow their full winter coat during the fall.
How Cold is Too Cold for My Border Collie?
Thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit is the lowest temperature Border Collies tolerate. While many Border Collies can continue doing their usual routine at this temperature, it does not mean it will work for your pooch.
The truth of the matter is Border Collies do not have the same tolerance for low temperatures. And no matter how hardy your collie is, you need to limit doggo’s outdoor exposure if the temperature hits 20 °F.
Why Do Border Collies Have Different Cold Tolerance?
As a rule, the free and outdoorsy farm boys have a higher cold tolerance than the spoiled pooches of apartments and suburban neighborhoods. But aside from acclimatization, the following factors can also affect how a Border Collie tolerates the snowy weather:
Body Fat
Aside from fur density, a little pudge can help an outdoor collie get through the bitterly cold. Body fat is a great insulator. However, there is a lot of debate going on about a dog’s diet during the winter. I will clear that up for you later in this article.
Age
Puppies and senior dogs will always need extra help when it comes to keeping the cold at bay.
Senior dogs can’t regulate their body temperature as well as they could during their youth. Still, I don’t recommend confining doggo inside your home. Have him wear a sweater and get him moving — even if it only means walking around the patio for 10 minutes.
Puppies, on the other hand, get cold the quickest since they don’t generate the same body heat as adults. Besides, they do not have their full coat yet to protect them. Their bare bellies and short, stubby legs will only get brushed against the snow-covered ground. So, it is best to keep your pupper indoors!
Disease
Chronic illness, such as diabetes and kidney disease, makes it difficult for Border Collies to regulate body temperature. To prevent weather-associated problems, you need to observe cautionary measures at all times, especially when taking your dog outside.
With winter in full swing, arthritic pets may also find walking even harder. A sharp drop in temperature causes the muscles to constrict; thus, increasing the pressure and pain in inflamed joints.
How Do I Know if My Border Collie is Cold?
Make sure you know doggo’s behavior when he gets cold; otherwise, he might fall prey to hypothermia.
❄ shaking or shivering
❄ whining or barking
❄ hunched posture with a tucked tail
❄ lifting paws alternately off the ground
❄ tries to turn around
Hypothermia in dogs occurs when their core body temperature falls at 88° F or lower.
Should I Feed My Border Collie More in the Winter?
Feeding your dog the same amount of food despite the minimal calorie expenditure will surely make him fat. That is why most owners feed their dogs less in the winter, as they don’t exercise their dogs as often as they used to.
Unfortunately, many people fail to realize that this does not apply to outdoor Border Collies. Studies suggest that during the wintertime, active outdoor dogs require three times the calories than their typical calorie intake in the warmer months.
Increasing doggo’s calorie intake leads to more fat deposits, thereby providing your hardworking canine the insulation he needs to thrive in cold climatic conditions.
Your dog will shiver otherwise, and shivering burns calories. Consequently, he would lose weight, as well as lose his ability to maintain a constant core body temperature amidst the bitterly cold.
If your Border Collie does gain the “winter weight,” you will have to reduce 10% of his food by the time the warm season arrives. Continue the 10% increments until doggo gets an hour-glass waistline, a tight tummy, and a ribcage that you can feel, but not see.
Tips to Keep Your Border Collie Safe and Happy in the Cold
Keeping your dog outside does not mean you are irresponsible, especially if you have a valid reason to do so. Besides, Border Collies are wired to respond to being outdoors. Think of them as teenagers who badly need to go out.
🏠 Shelter
One of the best things you can do for your outdoor-loving pooch is to build him an insulated dog house raised a few inches from the ground. The door should face away from prevailing winds and it should have an awning and a plastic door flap.
While the house does not have to be too spacious, it should be large enough for doggo to move around and sleep comfortably in his preferred position.
Chain-link outdoor kennels are unideal, as they do not offer protection against chilly winter drafts. But if you have already built one for your dog, then consider placing an insulated dog house at one corner.
Consider getting a K&H heated pet mat if your collie lives in a barn, shed, or garage. The mat responds only when your dog lays on it to prevent overheating. Most importantly, this product has been tested and certified by MET Labs to exceed USA/CA electrical safety standards.
🍖🥣💦 Diet and Nutrition
Refrain from using stainless steel bowls during freezing temperatures. Metal gets colder a lot faster than ceramic and plastic. Your pet’s tongue might become stuck to the dish, causing painful lacerations.
Instead, get a Farm Innovators heated water bowl to ensure your pooch has unlimited access to fresh, lukewarm water. An occasional bowl of chicken soup is a delicious way for doggo to obtain energy and strengthen his defenses.
As mentioned earlier, an active Border Collie living outside will need more food to maintain his weight during the winter. Better yet, switch to a high-fat and high-protein kibble.
🧥🧣🧦 Winter Gear
Healthy Border Collies do not necessarily need boots to waltz around their little haciendas; however, they can be useful if you were to hike somewhere with your pooch. Canine footwear protects doggo’s paws from salt, toxic deicers, shards, and anything the trail throws at you.
Since mature and chronically ill dogs are immediately threatened by hypothermia, it is also wise that your pooch wears a coat when heading outdoors. After all, don’t you want doggo to look trendy? All jokes aside, prevention is always better than cure!
Conclusion
Are Border Collies Good with Cold Weather? Of course, they are! However, that does not mean you should leave your pooch outdoors the entire day.
Border Collies are susceptible to hypothermia, as with any other dog. But if your collie is okay being outdoors all day, make sure he has a safe and warm shelter for when he needs to rest.
Also, don’t forget that each dog is an individual. Your Border Collie may not tolerate the cold weather the same way as someone else’s pooch. Many factors come into play, including the age and medical condition of your dog.
So, be aware of your pet’s tolerance and adjust accordingly. Always look for signs that your pooch is too cold. You will probably need to shorten your dog’s walks, too.