When is it too cold?

[daradke]

Not for me but my dog.  As we head into the colder months, at what cold temperature would you think twice about hunting your dog?  Does the breed of dog affect your decision?  I have a Brittany. 

[AWS]

Being originally from northern MN if you can stand it Fido can too.  I had a shorthair there that we had a little problem with frostbit ears and testicles but that was because he would sit on the concrete sidewalk and love being outside no matter the weather.

Here in WA I doubt it every gets cold enough not to hunt.  My partner and I have hunted in -0 with high winds and the dogs keep finding birds.  Hard crusty snow can be tough on their feet.

[BIGINNER]

Being originally from northern MN if you can stand it Fido can too.  I had a shorthair there that we had a little problem with frostbit ears and testicles but that was because he would sit on the concrete sidewalk and love being outside no matter the weather.

Here in WA I doubt it every gets cold enough not to hunt.  My partner and I have hunted in -0 with high winds and the dogs keep finding birds.  Hard crusty snow can be tough on their feet.

thats all i can really think of here in WA.  i have weimaraners. and i found that they are more sensitive to cold than german shorthairs

[Stilly bay]

as far as upland is concerned -where there is plenty of activity- I would run them all winter long as long the conditions didn't get extreme.  for shorter coated dogs I would use a neoprene vest on really nasty days. just make sure they have a nice insulated, windproof crate that they can retire in and don't over do it.

I would get some mushers secret and put it on the dogs feet and arm pits, it will keep the snow from balling up. vaseline works too but not as long.

[ghosthunter]

I would also add that for a retreiver, proper coat condition and weight go a long way towards dog comfort in nasty conditions. 

[huntingfool7]

Cold temperatures are not a factor, especially in WA.  I have stopped hunting in N. Dakota when the snow was too deep and crusty and the wind was blowing 40+.  I don't remember the temperature that day, but the deep snow was the clincher.
Hi temps can be deadly for working dogs.

[MP123]

I've got a Brit too and cold never seems to be an issue.  It's more a question of when it's too hot to run her early in the season.

[Fishnfowler]

I've got a chessie, she likes the cold:

[ORCA_SIX]

Upland shouldn't be to much of a problem like others have stated, only with lots of snow where they just are jumping the whole damn time. It is difficult to hunt and they tire faster. Always check for hypothermia as well. Some dogs are just prone to it.

[jetjockey]

Cold isn't the problem when hunting.  But don't put a wet cold dog in a crate without drying and warming them because that's when you will kill them.  They can easily him in sub 0 temps.  I grew up with Brits and own one now.  We hunted SD 2 years ago in Dec and the morning temps averaged -7 degrees.  Dogs had no problems with it at all. But we made sure they were dry when put up. 

[509]

Hunted minus 10 without wind many times.  Birds hold real tight.

I was hunting old cemetery when the dog flushed a pheasant that was buried in the powder snow.  What a sight the snow, the flush, pheasant flying against the blue sky and of course the miss.

It was real pretty.

[EDT]

we had a little problem with frostbit ears and testicles

this is a little problem???  

[Mudman]

7 degrees is the coldest I have hunted and I loved it.  I think wind and snow would be more of a factor then temps.

[ORCA_SIX]

My little girl loves it. I think it is fun to hunt in. Definitely different.