First-Time Fur Parents Ask: Do Yellow Labs Like Cold Weather?

So you finally decided to dive into the world of fur parenting.

If you live in a cold place, it’s essential to know if the pup you wish to bring home would be comfortable in that environment.

So you ask: do yellow Labs like cold weather? They sure do, thanks to their thick coats. However, they still get cold in extreme temperatures.

Here, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the matter, plus some care tips for the winter.

Why Do Yellow Labs Like Cold Weather?

Not all dogs are created equal. It is said that some pups love the cold while some don’t. Yellow Labradors don’t just withstand cold weather, but they also like it because their bodies are well-prepared for it.

Here’s why yellow Labs like cold weather.

Two Jackets For The Winter

Have you seen the film “Marley and Me?” It’s a story of a couple and their adopted Labrador pup named Marley.

Even on the silver screen, the sleek and thick yellow fur of this dog breed was very noticeable. You see, Labradors are double-coated dogs, which means their coats have two layers.

The top layer has a rough texture, while the second layer or the undercoat is thick and soft. These layers of fur serve as their winter jackets.

Fur That Repels Water

Yellow Labs’ fur is known to have the ability to repel water. We all know that water and oil don’t mix. The natural oil these dogs’ skin produces ends up on their coat, keeping the water out.

By keeping the water out, the heat is trapped inside. This stored heat keeps the dogs warm during cold days and helps their fur dry quickly.

All of these help the pup to have an ample shield against the cold.

However, these insulations aren’t 100% foolproof, and Labs can still feel cold sometimes.

Labrador dog playing with a stick in the snow

What Temperature Is Too Cold for Yellow Labs?

While it’s good to be assured that your bundle of joy has enough protection against the cold weather, it’s equally good to be reminded that every dog trait has limitations.

Yellow Labs can supposedly endure cold temperatures down to 20˚F. Anything lower than that requires special attention from their parents.

Long exposure to cold can cause your dog to suffer a significant drop in his normal body temperature, known as hypothermia.

It poses a serious threat when left unnoticed. So, make sure your Lab isn’t left at a temperature below 20˚F for a long period of time.

Keeping Your Lab Safe Against Hypothermia

Playing outside during winter helps your dog stay active. However, having fun in a snowy front yard without added protection could be harmful to your pup.

Here are a few tips to keep them safe against hypothermia during the coldest time of the year:

Make sure to protect their exposed skin against cold surfaces. Cover their paws by putting on some socks and boots.
Try not to let your dog spend more than thirty minutes playing outdoors. Once you get signs of unusual behaviors from your pup, bring him in asap.
Before you let him settle inside the house, make sure to get rid of all the snow and ice on his fur. Then, dry the pup gently with a clean towel.
Dogs tend to increase their appetite during the winter. So don’t be surprised if your pup asks for more treats during cold seasons.

Sufficient calorie intake helps Labs stay warm because added diets help maintain a layer of fat that insulates them against the cold.

A 30% increase in their daily diet will help them have more energy during this time of year.

Lastly, you can tuck your pup under a blanket to keep him warm during the night.

If your dog begins to show symptoms of hypothermia like the ones listed below, take her to the nearest vet clinic.

Signs of dog hypothermia:

Shivering
Cold Body
Difficulty in breathing
Delayed reactions
Lethargic behavior
Stiffness

Keep Your Lab Warm With These Indoor Activities

Keeping your dog warm when the weather gets cold is another way of giving him added protection.

There are various activities that your dog can engage in to keep him busy and warm during winter without being exposed to the outside cold. Here are some of them:

Search And Munch

Challenge your dog by letting him hunt for food. No, I’m not saying that you should bring him to nearby woods and let him look for prey.

What I’m saying is, instead of just handing your pup his food, encourage him to move around by hiding pieces of treats in different parts of the house.

Let him search for these hidden foods, and then let him munch on them as rewards.

Hide And Seek

Tell your dog to sit on a certain spot. Then, signal a family member to go and find a nice place to hide. Once hidden, tell your fur baby to find the person.

If your pup isn’t trained to obey such a command, tell that family member of yours to call the dog the moment they’re hidden.

Make sure to reward the pup with a treat if he successfully finds the person. It will excite him to go for the next round.

A Game Of Fetch

If playing fetch outside with your dog on a winter morning is a no-no for you, then worry no more. The game of fetch is not exclusive to outdoors only.

If you have a staircase, tell your dog to go after a toy as you throw it up the stairs. If you don’t have a staircase, the biggest part of the house will do.

Just don’t forget to keep your dog encouraged by rewarding him for a job well done.