Have you ever noticed that your two dogs, both of whom are from the same litter, are such completely different creatures? Both of them are German Shepherds, and while Lily appears to be as German as her ancestors, her sister Hanna has you believing she was born and raised in San Diego where it never goes below 70 degrees. Lily loves to romp and play in the snow, but Hanna takes one look out the window and retreats to her bed. Different dogs react differently to cold weather. It probably has you baffled since they’re the same breed, but every dog is different. Unable to split yourself in two, what can you do? Do you spend more time outside with Lily, which leaves Hanna at home alone or less time outside, which makes Lily miserable? With a little preparation, though, winter can be pleasant for both types of dogs and for ones that are in between.

Shelter
When it gets cold outside it is easy to think that our dogs have natural winter coats and will be fine outside, and for some breeds this is true – at least to a certain extent. Although it seems to you that Lily and Hanna are the same, it’s very possible that with Lily’s slightly longer hair or her bigger build, mean that she and Hanna may not all that alike after all. If Lily really seems more comfortable being outside, you can always let her sleep outside – provided she is in a house with a heated bed. When it gets even too cold for her comfort, it’s an easy way back into the house to warm up.

Grooming
Some breeds of dogs, for example, Shi Tzus and Poodles, have hair rather than fur. If this is the case then you may want to consider leaving their hair a little longer over the winter months to offer some natural protection from the cold. Having a long coat doesn’t substitute for good shelter, but it can make your dog more comfortable.

Clothes
If you have a short haired, a small dog, if you keep a long hair dog groomed short, or even if your dog has fur that doesn’t thicken that much in the winter, then you should consider having your California girl wear a sweater when going out in the cold. These can help a great deal in keeping Hanna warm and protecting her from the elements. Not all dogs will wear clothes though and if that is the case, be sure to minimize the amount of time they spend outside and keep a close eye on them.

It is also a good idea during winter months to have your dog wear booties outside – if they will tolerate it. Booties can protect their feet from the cold and also from objects on the ground that are obscured by snow.

Thing to Be Cautious About
Whether or not your dog loves winter, you should always use extreme caution when walking on ice. In particular running on a frozen body of water should only be done if you are absolutely sure there are no weak spots. If you wouldn’t let children on the ice, then the dog should stay off as well.

If either Lily or Hanna gets into antifreeze it can kill them. If you think that your dog has had any exposure to antifreeze, go see your vet immediately. Even a small exposure can be extremely dangerous.

Obvious Signs Your Dog Wants to Go Back Home
While some dogs shun the cold others love to romp and play. If you have a dog that loves the snow and cold weather, it is still important to keep your eye on her. If she starts shivering or shaking then it is time to get her back home, even if she is having a good time. Sometimes dogs don’t regulate themselves well and it is important to look out for their best interest.  If your dog doesn’t seem to warm up after getting into shelter or displays signs of hypothermia or unusual behavior, take her into the vet immediately.

One of the best things to do with your dog in the winter is cuddle. Their body temperature is actually slightly higher than ours, so as warm blooded as Lily is, she can make a great heating blanket.