With our first snow, and plenty more expected in the coming weeks, we've had to make some adjustments for our daily walk. I had always thought dogs came with their own "fur coats" which could get them through the winter; however, Miss M has made it very clear that this is not enough for her and she needs additional warmth.
Being so 'chest-heavy' , it can be hard finding coats for pit bulls, but we really like the Ruff Wear brand which can fit around their chests and are not too long in the back:
We bought them matching
Ruff Wear K-9 Overcoats, and they're sturdy enough that we've had them for a couple of years. Ruff Wear only comes in blue, red, and green, so we also had to spring for this pink puffy coat we saw at Old Navy last season which is perfect for Diva Miss M:
At the same time, I also have to take more preparation for the walks. The hardest part is having to remove my gloves to get the poo bags out. Right now I have glittens which easily fold down to expose my fingers;
kind of like these ones from Target.
And since I'm not wearing
my favorite cute dog-walking shoes anymore, I rely on my
Merrell Spire Peak Waterproof boots. I actually wear them as normal shoes. I had gotten mine at a discount, and I think Piperlime is going to have another promotional discount right before the holidays.
How does everyone else prepare for some hardcore, cold dog walking?
30 comments:
Gonna have to look into those coats for Levi. It is very hard finding him a coat. One that fits around his chest is very long in the back. Looks like a rottie but barrel chested like a pittie :)
Levi's mom.
We have our own diva-ish Ms. M and our cold weather routine involves a snazzy little plaid jacket and some PawPro spray for her dainty and sensitive feet. It seems to work pretty well at protecting her from salt and cold and is usually all absorbed or washed off by the time she gets home from the walk. Also, it's safe for hardwood floors. For myself, I keep a pair of Yak Trax Walkers on an old pair of boots. It's like having snow chains for your shoes and keeps our powerful little lady from pulling me off balance on ice or snow. You can even jog lightly on ice while wearing them.
Luckily for us, cold weather walking is usually no less than 40 degrees...and never snow. One good thing about moving to Texas!
I put on like 29 layers, insulated boots, coveralls. The hounds are not interested in coats, but I really like the ones you guys have. We have the same problem large chests, long bodies and short legs. Makes finding a coat hard. Of course I don't like cold so it takes a lot to get me to walk in the winter. I am a bad Mom. HoundDogMom
Hi Pitties we like your coats, we have coats but we just get them wet running in the field so we come in to nice warm towels.
John bought some cheap boots and they have been in the garage for years, but he got them out this year. He said his feet have stayed dry and warm and touch wood he has not been sliding about, now he will get somemore if he sees them again. Keep warm you have very short fur so you need your coats.
Your coats look soooooo warm. Mom needs to buy me a coat. Even in Florida it gets too cold for Roo. I'll suggest she check out your Ruff Wear store ;)
Waggin at ya,
Roo
Ms M, meet Emma, who unfortunately may out-Diva you. Currently she'll only go outside with at least 3 coats on. She twisted my arm so I ordered her a $200 custom made polar Gortex fleece jacket from bwdogcoats.com. Unfortunately, cus I'm slow, they're only coming in January so the Queen is suffering 'til then, which means she pees and poops as soon as she gets out of the house and then pulls with all her strength to go right back inside. Charlie's easy, I just let his hair grow out for the winter, though he does get booties when they put salt down (Emma's getting 'em too, no worries).
I currently have a fleece coat my mom bought for me at Dover.com. It's a store that sells horses stuff and also has dog "blakets" like mini horse blanets. I'm in the market for a new one, so maybe I will send Gradma Lynda to that site so she can get me a new one for Christmas!
-Corbin
It's been really challenging to walk both dogs together the last few days. Each one is quite good on a leash, but there's a lot of sniffing in opposite directions and it's extra-hard when one poops to deal with the glove and bag situation, like you mentioned. I also almost fell over Neptune this morning because he basically walked in front of me and stopped.
The good news is that having Neptune makes Levi more apt to go on a walk and not just stand there and shake pathetically. I want to go back to the local store where I bought Levi's sweater to find one for Neptune. Jason says skull and crossbones, but I vetoed that. Would it be wrong to put a male dog in pink? Neptune could have an inner diva.
Our little guy won't last long outdoors if he's not wearing his coat - we just got a new one from Chilly Dogs, and it's amazing! The fleece front panel means it fits him really well in the chest, and has just enough stretch for comfortable playing in the snow.
We are, however, having salty paw issues. I've tried the "Invisible Boot" ointment, but if I don't get really good coverage, he's still getting the salt burn. Until we get booties, I've coped by just walking on the grass next to the sidewalk, or just driving to a nearby park to play.
I second the Yak Trax idea. I wore them all through DC's wicked winter last year, and even wore them for some long runs in blizzard/icy conditions while training for a marathon. They were incredible in ice and packed snow. As for Mr Chick, he wears a dapper red hoodie or chooses from an assortment of custom sweaters that have been knitted for him by his grandma. That's right, I said custom knitted sweaters.
Poor foster wonderdog Lolita doesn't have any winter gear yet, but she also doesn't seem to mind the 22 degree nights we've been having lately.
I second the Yak Trax idea. I wore them all through DC's wicked winter last year, and even wore them for some long runs in blizzard/icy conditions while training for a marathon. They were incredible in ice and packed snow. As for Mr Chick, he wears a dapper red hoodie or chooses from an assortment of custom sweaters that have been knitted for him by his grandma. That's right, I said custom knitted sweaters.
Poor foster wonderdog Lolita doesn't have any winter gear yet, but she also doesn't seem to mind the 22 degree nights we've been having lately.
aleksandra
follow our foster: loveandaleash.wordpress.com/
MOMMISH went to get hers some of those gap flats the other day. she ws like "all miss m's mommish looked so cutie wiff these i must buy them" and since her is preggo she loved how comfortable they were.
SUGARY PIBBLE KISSES
the pittie pack
pee.s
we gets no fluffy white stuffs here in houston tx
*bla* and grr
Thanks for linking to those boots. I am sorely in need of a pair for the winter as I had to get rid of my old ones in the spring. A sad day it was.
I have already asked for these for Christmas: http://www.muttens.com/ and am crossing my fingers I get a pair.
While Shiva is an all-weather, all-the-time kind of dog and doesn't need much protection, I am not an all-weather human.
Glittens are the best!
We have a coat for Darwin from Wildhorse.
http://www.theuniversalhorse.com/product/sherpa_lined_coats_-_solids_prints.html
It's great! But whenever we put it on her she starts walking funny... I don't think she's a coat wearing dog.
Thanks for posting this. I need to get Lola a coat and was not sure where to look. I will be checking out the ruff wear since that has worked well for you.
And I also have the same issue with the gloves and the poop bags. Oh, the problems that come with dogs.
Love their coats!
I have tried coats on the Newfs before, just to find it later thrown onto the ground. They don't need it much, but if they have a show I try to keep their coats as clean as possible overnight so they don't have to get another bath.
Kudos to you for being both warm and stylish at the same time. Cold weather is such an anomaly here in Florida that my cold weather walking attire leaves something to be desired!
Well, fortunately, Pip doesn't really like the cold and snow so our walks are brief (like 3 minutes). The cold weather really bothers his legs and I have been trying to get him to wear boots, but he HATES them.
More snow on the way tonight.
i have the same issue with asa being very chesty. she has a hooded sweatshirt that fits her chest, but is too long in the back...my solution was to roll it up in back! her outdoor coat is a berber blanket jacket with adjustable straps around the tummy and chest. since the straps are adjustable, it fits her nice and snug. :)
the booker man and asa's mama
I love their coats! If you decide you want to spring for another pink one for Miss M, try Voyager's K9 Apparel.
What I wear when we're out walking in the winter is long underwear, Columbia boots, a heavy coat, and glittens. Although, if it's really cold, I'll wear warmer gloves or mittens over the ones I've got, because they're pretty thin. Gah! I hate winter!
Well, if you have to brave the elements, you might as well look fabulous!!
Wyatt
We have Yak Trax, although I confess we only use them when we (and by we, I mean my husband, except for two years ago when he had ankle surgery...) use the snowblower on the driveway, as our driveway is about as steep and slick as a ski jump... Luckily most of where we walk is snow-packed, so traction is usually pretty good. I think I might have to look into those gloves though...
Anyhoo... After our stint of super cold (and super unseasonably so) weather a few weeks ago, and I rushed out and got the girls winter coats (yes, they are goldendoodles, but at 10 degrees and windy, they can't just go out naked). Now it's in the 40s... Do your kids wear booties? Ours freaked out a bit until a toy was introduced, and the booties were forgotten - it keeps the salt/snow/ice out of their pads and from between their toes.
Happy winter walking!
-Dr. Liz (Fiona and Abby's personal servant...)
Yeah I hate the glove/poo bag pick up situation too. I lost a glove the other day from all the shuffling. I am jealous you can walk both dogs with one person. We are not there yet.
We love your coats. By the looks of the weather you guys really need those winter coats. Enjoy your chilly walk
Benny & Lily
I love their winter wear! I usually end up getting a size bigger for Melanie to make sure everything fits since she's so thick. Once in awhile something is a little long, but for the most part it's just more material to keep her warm :)
Well our winter walks always begin with tons of fun, trying to get Kirby's coat ON him. He is getting much better and now will wait (with the help of a treat) for me to get his coat on him. Kirby's coat is waterproof outside with flannel inside, not sure of the brand but he sure stays warm with it on. Your pitties look very nice in their coats! Happy walking!
Kirby's Mom
We have coats~
IzZY'z is pink
Anakin's is blue
TriXie is purple (butt Mommy want's to get her a better one)
and 'da Josie's is green...
Daddy doesn't like to walk us's wits our coats on...
him said he feels like dork...
not so nice! Mommy says do you want yous little puggies to freeze?
'da nerves..
Mommy is gonna have to check out 'dose gloves...
Hugs,
Josie
While I miss having a white Christmas I don't miss snowy dog walks!
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com
I remember when we were living in Maine, I bust out the Snow Grip soles for my winter boots. They were rubber with metal spirals that would enhance traction in the snow and ice. The nice thing was you could attach them to any boot or shoe so you weren't limited to one boot all winter.
Pretty sure I bought them at L.L Bean but they've since been sold for our TX move. *Sigh*
I do like the idea of "glittens", though - like a two-fer!!
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