Hey to all who live in colder climates. This will be my first winter with my b. As such, I know he hasn't seen snow before, because he is from a breeder in Oklahoma. I am now in Massachusetts so he will see snow for sure this winter.
My question is whether other b owners have had to get those dog boots for their bs in the winter. If so, which brands are best? We customarily take one if not two 45-90min walks a day as I live in an apartment and so I want to make sure that Beegin still enjoys his walks even in winter.
Or will it be like trying to walk Beegin in the rain…:(
I have muttlucks for Magnum:
He'll wear them (not very happily), but he's such a stitch to watch when he has them on (high-steppin' like a Budweiser draft horse!). They don't work well in the areas we walk in as sometimes there is deep snow that will pull them right off his feet. I think they serve the purpose for winter walking as long as deep snow isn't involved.
I would love to use something like this with Tosca, but I don't think there is any way she would go for it, she won't even walk with a jacket on unless it is perfectly fitted, away from her tail. There is no way she'd put up with booties. I wish she would, though, cause its hard to walk her in winter, if there is snow on the ground she only lasts a little while before she will start to cry, stop walking, and lift her paws up cause she is so cold. Its really a pathetic sight 
So, unfortunately, in the dead of winter, she only gets short walks. I at least try to get her out for a short time each day, though. Good luck!
I'm from Mass and only moved a few mths ago I never used those botties with Phoenix he hated them i bought some put them on went out and got that " MOM i look stupid and i can't walk right take them off NOW please" Look so after that i never used them all 3 of mine where fine in the winter they just didnt like standing in once place for very long.
I've never used them, because I'm in the country, but I hear the Muttluks are very good.
Spam. Not even good spam at that…geeze.
Thanks for the advice. I checked out the muttluks site and I think I'll give them a try. Luckilly, it is still nice out so no hurry!
EL D and I live in Minnesota where it can really get cold (MauiGirl you have no idea) and we don't use them. Once a pathway gets made in the yard he has no problem but we we go for walks in the roadway then the snow and road sand/salt causes problems (the snow packs between his toes and he starts screaming) but still won't wear booties (he'd rather chew them than wear them :)).
I like the Ruff wear boots.
http://www.ruffwear.com/Barkn-Boots-Grip-Trex?sc=2&category=11
They also have a all season boot. Lycia is weird then, she pretty much doesn't care what you put on her - that included her "panties" when she was in heat
I had muttluks but my dog didn't like them. My dog won't tolerate being out in the cold/wet long enough to really need booties anyways. I was more concerned with the salt on the roads bothering his paws, and for that there are other products, such as Musher's Secret, a wax that's applied to the paw as a protectant. Most good pet supply stores carry it.
Musher's Secret is a great suggestion.
Don't forget to get pet friendly deicer, too. Regular salt deicers can crack and burn feet and I have read that some products can also be toxic when ingested by the dog licking the feet and under carriage after a romp.
EL D and I live in Minnesota where it can really get cold (MauiGirl you have no idea) and we don't use them. Once a pathway gets made in the yard he has no problem but we we go for walks in the roadway then the snow and road sand/salt causes problems (the snow packs between his toes and he starts screaming) but still won't wear booties (he'd rather chew them than wear them :)).
Nemo is the same way…he makes little highways all around the yard. And he doesn't mind jumping through snowdrifts. He only screams when small chunks of ice/snow gets stuck between his toes. Then I have to go out and get him in the yard. But, generally, his visits outside in the winter are pretty short.
I'll have to try the Musher's secret, though. Sounds like a good idea.
while living close to the Alps in Germany, we have had lots of snow during the winter.
Jester never wanted a coat or boots. I just took good care, that if we had to walk on streets where they used salt to avoid slipping, I washed his feet when we got back home. Also Vaseline as protection worked good. I guess Jester would have refused to move one centimeter with boots.
Gromit got this nice and fleece lined snow suit and this was the only way he wanted to go out with those masses of snow. But there were no boots either.
Regards,
Esther
Quite awhile ago on one of the other lists I belonged to someone described what they used on their Basenji's feet during snow season, which I found hilarious and probably why I remember. This person used cut off tube socks, plastic bags, and duct tape. The picture in my mind makes me smile but jthe idea of trying to get a Basenji to stay still long enough to secure all that really makes me laugh, especially figuring you have to do that more than once a day!
I like the Ruff wear boots.
http://www.ruffwear.com/Barkn-Boots-Grip-Trex?sc=2&category=11
They also have a all season boot. Lycia is weird then, she pretty much doesn't care what you put on her - that included her "panties" when she was in heat
What size did you get your girl dog? The ones I just bought online only come up to Manah's big pad on her foot, they don't seem long enough…
