Cross Breeds

How well do dogs tolerate very cold weather?

I have 4 dogs--2 Welsh Corgis, an elderly Border Collie mix and an almost elderly Chihuahua. I have to be away overnight and I usually just leave them outside but tonight it is supposed to be down to 19 degrees, will they be OK? They all have houses on a covered and protected porch and there is no rain or snow predicted. I could leave them or at least the two older ones in our "Play" room but then--well I have enough problems with housebreaking already. I can't leave a door open or anything like that because I have Indoor Only cats. Help please?

Public Comments

1. they will be fine outside at 19 degrees......it is that here in oz at night when summer hits in 15minutes
2. 19 degrees is too cold to leave a dog outside, especially the elderly chihuahua. I would recommend purchasing some crates to have them in the house, while you are away.
3. That's too cold to leave dogs out, especially elderly ones. and Chihuahuas don't have enough fur to stay warm I would leave on the porch and deal with clean up.
4. As long as they're out of the wind, out of an precipitation, dogs can be good down to freezing (32 degrees) without many complications. 19 is too harsh for any animal to be outside, even our dairy farm neighbors bring in their cows! Run to petco or petsmart (or even walmart) and get a large enough crate to crate them inside overnight. You'll have to clean it up tomorrow morning, but at least they'll be warm. The two older ones for sure need to be in.... would you leave Grandma out in 19 degrees? :)
5. I'm not a vet, but mine has assured me that my two older dogs[Bassets] do not get cold as long as they have proper shelter. I persist in using cedar, fresh hay, pillows, and a wide assortment of old throws and small quilts, but God has provided them with a fur coat, after all. Your porch is covered and protected. I honestly believe they'll all be just fine; put in extra blankie for your Chihuahua.
6. Depends on the dog. Elderly dogs dont do well and small short haired dogs cant take it as well as the big bushy ones. Now Huskies can handle sub zero temps as long as they are braced from the wind and have a full stomach.
7. Depends on the dog. Not likely the chihuahua (Thanks for knowing how to spell it) will not be happy going out to do business. Corgis and the Border Collie will depend onthem and how they have been raised. You need to be able to tell what your dogs like and don't. All of mine prefer the snow verses a warm day in the sun. I often get fosters you have to force outside to even do business no matter the time of year. ALl dogs no matter the breed like different things.
8. I agree 19 deg is way to cold. The only way I would leave them out is if they have a enclosed shelter with a heater. Since you are going away that's not a good idea either with the heater. I would suggest bringing them into a luandry room, basement or a garage. give them a place to handle their business with newspapers and such.
9. 19 degrees what? C or F? If your dogs are used to living out and have adequate shelter and bedding they should be fine. Sometimes my dogs have to sleep out in my dog van at night when we are away and I put a couple of heat pads in with them (you can get microwaveable one from the pet shop). However leaving them home alone outside is something I can not agree with, anything could happen to them.
10. Different breeds and ages tolerate the cold differently. Double-coated breeds and healthy adult dogs tolerate the cold the best, while thin-haired breeds, smaller dogs, and older and very young dogs do not tolerate the cold very well at all. But 19 degrees is too cold to leave any pet dog out overnight (some of the northern breeds can handle it just fine, but even then they need to be in great health). Your corgies *might* be ok, but your border collie and especially your chihuahua will suffer greatly and might not make it through the night. Can you ask a neighbor to come over and let the dogs out a couple of times while you're gone? Otherwise, I would say you're better off cleaning up the mess and dealing with your housebreaking issues than risking the health or life of any of your dogs.
11. Are you serious....I have a Chihuahua, and I cover her with a blanket at night while she sleeps. And trust me she would get cold if not covered. Why get dog's if you keep them outside......Make zero sense. Unless you want a dead dog on your hands .....do the right thing and at least keep the most vulnerable ones in the house.
12. If they have been "hardened" to cold weather and have good shelter they will be ok but if they are used to being in the house, Please don't leave them outside !
13. I know the BC will be fine. I believe the WC will be good because you have houses for them on a protected porch. The only one I'd be concerned about is the chihuahua. I don't know how resiliant they are, but if you have a covered house for them all on the porch, it has a high likellihood of being ok as well