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Location: UK
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Posts: 6,891
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31-12-2010, 07:21 PM
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Location: uk
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 18,552
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31-12-2010, 07:43 PM
Originally Posted by Leanne_W 
Yes, I agree with Dawn too that if a dog is working, it wouldnt need a coat but out of the millions of dogs owned in this country, how many actually do any work of any description?
No dog "needs" a coat when its out walking, why would they? They never used to when these dogs were created, why now? Weather was worse then too, and not many were kept in our homes.
Any animal or person will get cold when standing around, we do, we dont "need" another coat, we need to move!
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Location: Herefordshire, UK
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 9,634
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31-12-2010, 08:02 PM
Originally Posted by Borderdawn
IMO dogs that have coats of their own dont need any others! Personally I think they serve little purpose anyway.
Originally Posted by TomtheLurcher
I think for me coats are not a fashion accessory they are a need for dogs that shiver in the cold, Tom has very little covering on his underside and does actually shake with cold in the bad weather when he just goes into the garden to relieve himself, I wouldnt put a coat on a dog unless it was required to keep them warm , maybe we are confusing the need with dogs who get 'dressed up' cos it looks nice !
Originally Posted by Gnasher
What!! Dogs LOVE snow, and I've never known a dog who disliked the wind to the point where they did not want to go walkies!! I know my big boys are hairy wolves, so therefore don't count, but I am talking about my daughter's smooth coated chihuahua. he goes for 5 miles a day - without a coat - even in all this freezing weather and snow we have had. IMO and my experience dogs will face ANY weather to have a walk. It is US who want to stay curled up in the warm. As my husband says, only a dog owner like himself would be seen walking out in filthy weather wearing an Australian drovers hat and a long riding mac and yet not be arrested as a potential flasher!!
Originally Posted by Borderdawn
Of course they dont, but tell me why they "need" a coat? Thats a human thing not a dog thing. What you must realise is most of these dogs were bred to work OUTDOORS in all weathers. Look at Whippets etc... yet people dress them up in all sorts they can withstand very low temperatures perfectly well, its their owners that have the issue not the dogs.
I strip my Borders out when they need it, Breeze is stripped out now, she hasnt got to "wear" anything other than her own coat, she doesnt lose condition, she works in whatever weather it is when required and will be in a kennel (with heat lamp) along with Orey or Livvy when she is at work with me, or in the paddock. None of them lose weight.
Dogs do far better when owners dont faff with their natural resistence. Making them wear coats makes them less tolerant of the weather.
However, the elderly; thin coated; arthritic etc. etc. dog is a totally different matter don't you think? Would an ex athlete with joint problems, and perhaps other medical issues, venture out in minus 10 and less with just his shorts on???!! Have a heart.
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Location: uk
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 18,552
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31-12-2010, 08:05 PM
Originally Posted by Bitkin
For a great many breeds I would agree, but there are always exceptions.
However, the elderly; thin coated; arthritic etc. etc. dog is a totally different matter don't you think? Would an ex athlete with joint problems, and perhaps other medical issues, venture out in minus 10 and less with just his shorts on???!! Have a heart.
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Location: uk
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Posts: 18,552
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31-12-2010, 08:21 PM
Originally Posted by Bitkin
Some people may have no choice tho Borderdawn.....think of those with little or no garden. Even a quick toddle down to the park or whatever and back will still be a necessity.
I appreciate all dogs need a little exercise, but we will have to agree to disagree on the coat thing.
Oh and its "Dawn" dont worry bout the border bit.
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Location: West Sussex
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,749
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31-12-2010, 08:27 PM
My Yorkie has a coat but has only worn it a handful of times when it has been really cold. Most of the time she doesn't need it.
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Location: Herefordshire, UK
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 9,634
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31-12-2010, 08:42 PM
Originally Posted by labradork
My big two would be mortified if I tried to put a coat of any sort on them. They go out in all weathers and temps with no ill effects, but they both have thick double coats.
My Yorkie has a coat but has only worn it a handful of times when it has been really cold. Most of the time she doesn't need it.
Originally Posted by Borderdawn
Personally, if a dog has no access to a garden, then it shouldnt be living there, for the reasons you mention. HAVING to walk to a park etc.. just not fair IMO. Take my Tarn, he cant walk far at all, if I had to walk him to the common for a pee, it would near kill him.
I appreciate all dogs need a little exercise, but we will have to agree to disagree on the coat thing.
Oh and its "Dawn" dont worry bout the border bit.
I do think that it is a little unfair to say that a dog shouldn't be living in a flat, because sometimes people's circumstances change .......if they live in a flat, does that mean they have to give up their pets? Occasionally people do have to because they cannot find accommodation which will accept a dog, and they are nearly destroyed because of it. I would never judge a flat dweller with their dog.
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Location: UK
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,411
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31-12-2010, 08:57 PM
My foster girlie is a lurcher and loses weight if she doesn't wear a coat when it's cold. So when it was below zero she wore her cosy coat, now it's warmed up (relatively) she doesn't need it.
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Location: uk
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 18,552
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31-12-2010, 08:59 PM
Originally Posted by Bitkin
That's the thing - thick double coats equal no extra coat needed. Even a Yorkie has a decent covering of hair.
okay we will agree to disagree!! Glad that it's just Dawn, because the full name is a bit of a mouthful.
I do think that it is a little unfair to say that a dog shouldn't be living in a flat, because sometimes people's circumstances change .......if they live in a flat, does that mean they have to give up their pets? Occasionally people do have to because they cannot find accommodation which will accept a dog, and they are nearly destroyed because of it. I would never judge a flat dweller with their dog.
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