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Permalink Reply by Kyle, Megan and Loki on October 14, 2009 at 4:50pm

Corgis have a double coat, you won't need a coat on them. When Loki was a puppy last february he would be fine outside for 15-20 min, and was only 2.5-3 months old at the time. Some people recommend boots if salt is used heavily in the area as it may dry out their pads, otherwise, also not necessary. The only dogs that need coats are short haired, small dogs generally.

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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on October 14, 2009 at 5:44pm

My corgis think we live in a winter wonderland and LOVE snow and cold!We live in southern Minnesota but I swear we're colder than some areas in northern MN. The 2 things I would watch for that mine don't really like is getting snow in between their paws and also if the windchills are extreme. We many times have -0 temps/whindchills of -20-30 or more and it doesn't bother them to be out 15-20 minutes either but I do watch if they start lifting their feet alot. Once they're running around and rolling mine like it much better than the hot humid summer!

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Permalink Reply by Judi, Dawn, Soffie & Griffyn on October 14, 2009 at 5:59pm

Maybe do a google search ie: dogs outside in cold weather. But mainly I'm posting this so it moves to the top again so that more of our northern posters will have a chance to respond too.

In Naples Florida we call 88 a cold front! LOL!!!

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Permalink Reply by Alice on October 14, 2009 at 6:43pm

Yah, in Scottsdale, Az we don't see much cold either. I've lived here my whole life and I think I would die if I tried to live somewhere with snow. :)

It's been many years since I went up to see the snow. This year we are detemined to take a drive up north so Finnigan can play in the snow. When I was little we would go sledding and take our Aussie and she loved it!

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Permalink Reply by C. M. Wood on October 14, 2009 at 6:36pm

Good to know. Today was pretty mild but snowy. I was at my parents so she was in the backyard. After awhile she started to look a little uncomfortable is all the snow, but she sure loves playing around in it. I guess better cool than hot. And as we live in Edmonton we don't have to worry about them salting the streets, they use gravel. Phew. Cos I can't see her loving booties.

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie on October 14, 2009 at 7:29pm

Here in KY we get bouts of snow, Bear seemed to have no problem at all with it, but I do always make sure to wipe his paws with a doggie baby wipe after we go for walks - they are SALT CRAZY here - it's everywhere once we get our first snow, and the pretreatment stuff, and I can't imagine that the salt is good for them.

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Permalink Reply by Heather and Ella on October 14, 2009 at 8:31pm

Last winter we got done to -20ish here in Michigan. Ella seemed just fine in it but I didn't let her say out too long, maybe 10/15 mins tops. Also if the snow is really wet snow, then I will rub her down with her towel so she doesn't stay wet once inside.
I've heard that if you put a coat on a corgi during the winter, their undercoat won't get as thick (so less to brush out come spring). However I don't know if this really works, since Ella already had her winter coat when we got her in February.

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Permalink Reply by Beth on October 14, 2009 at 10:12pm

If it's below 15F I won't keep the dog out for more than about 15 minutes. If it's in the single digits I only go out for potty breaks. Corgis are double-coated as mentioned so they don't need jackets.

I worry about frostbite on ears and toes if it's too cold. As Jane mentioned, if they start lifting alternating paws, it could be freezing toes. Clean the feet with a damp towel when you come in if they have crossed any salted roads.

Last winter we had a stretch of single digits and Jack did NOT want to come in. As I said, at that cold of a temp I won't stay out, but I did feel his nose, ears, and paws, and shockingly enough they were all toasty, so I think I am using an abundance of caution and he probably would have been fine for a normal walk. I just didn't want to risk it.

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