How Cold Is Too Cold For Labradors?

How cold is too cold for Labradors? Well, it depends. Generally speaking, Labradors are pretty “chill” with the winter season, and you’ll find them bouncing around as usual.

However, like most living beings, our beloved Labs have their limits, and we need to know them too, as their caretakers. So, how much “chilliness” in the surroundings should set off your alarms, and what can you do to make your pup more comfortable? Let’s take a look.

Labradors And Winter: A Perfect Match?

If you’ve been observing your Lab for a while, you’d know they’re unfazed by most winters. That’s because they’re best friends with the regular cold weather found around most of the world. Now, where does this come from?

The earliest (or the “original”) Labs were bred in Newfoundland, Canada, which averages around 32 °F (0 °C) in winters and 61 °F (16 °C) in the summers. They were typically bred for hunts, and running around in such conditions and swimming in similarly icy waters was a part of their daily routine. 

The Infamous Labrador Double-Coat

Your Lab’s coat has two layers. These are:

• Upper Layer (Overcoat): It serves as a shield/guard to the lower coat and protects it against environmental factors. 
• Lower Layer (Undercoat): It keeps your Lab snug and cozy. 

This dual-layered system also keeps your Lab dry with its water-proof capabilities. Due to it acting as a shield around your beloved pup, it is recommended never to shave it and let it shed/put on fur as the seasons change naturally. (Pro Advice: Get ready for lots of loose hair around the house)

What Is The Coldest Temperature A Labrador Can Withstand? 

Even with a Lab’s natural comfort in the cold, it is essential to remember that Labs can still fall victim to extreme cold and that at a certain level of chill, you should take suitable precautions to protect it. 

The coldest temperature that your Labrador can withstand is 20 °F or -6 °C (-6.67 to be exact). However, it is wise to remember that your Lab’s perception of the cold around it depends on different factors such as conditioning, age, and weight. 

That said, at temperatures below and lower than 20 °F, even a healthy Lab at the prime of its life will begin to feel the cold seeping into its body. 

How Cold Is Too Cold For A Labrador?

Ideally, it would be best if you didn’t wait for the lowest possible temperature (at 20 °F) before you start taking emergency actions and ensuring your pup is okay.

For example, most labs (especially puppies and those in old age) will feel the harsh cold as soon as the temperature hits 35 °F (1 °C). And it can strike even worse if there’s a wind blowing around. 

Even an adult healthy Lab will start to shiver at 24 °F if there’s a slight wind to carry the cold directly to its skin, so keep an eye out. 

Generally speaking, 44 °F (7 °C) is when you should take measures to protect them against the cold or bring them inside (if possible). However, in the latter case, you should probably bring them in beforehand (by checking the forecast). 

Will My Lab Be Safe To Sleep Outside In Cold Temperatures?

Ideally, you should bring your Lab inside if the weather is getting colder. It is generally unsafe for any canine breed to sleep outside in the snow/cold without proper protection (shelter). 

Although the double coat works well, the added wind, icy water (from the surrounding snow melting or even rain), and damp fur can affect your Lab’s skin directly, causing hypothermia. 

If you want to keep your dog outside in regions where the weather can get harsh, it is essential to make sure you provide adequate shelter. Just any kennel/dog house won’t do since they’re not designed like human houses to keep out the cold naturally. 

Instead, get an insulated kennel (or insulate one properly yourself), and make sure you put lots of bedding to keep your Lab snug and cozy. Also, make sure you keep lots of drinking water around to avoid it from getting dehydrated. 

Factors That Influence Your Lab’s Ability To Handle The Cold

Different Labradors have different levels of tolerance to the cold. This endurance can vary based on multiple factors, such as:

Conditioning

If your Lab is already used to a cold environment, it won’t have any issue with playing around or sleeping in a bit of cold (expect a few cold ears). 

If you’re moving a lab from an average temperature to a colder one, give it lots of protection (explained in detail below) and expect anywhere between 50-70 days for it to condition itself to it. 

Clouds

Clear nights are generally much colder than those with lots of clouds. A simple explanation for this is that clouds trap heat during the day, which keeps them (and, in turn, the surrounding air) warmer at night.

Health

A healthy lab generally handles the cold better than those that are sick. In a worst-case scenario, exposure to harmful colds may even worsen your pooch’s condition (depending on the type of sickness). Bottom line: A sick lab should not be exposed to the cold. 

Coat

Your Lab’s receptivity to the cold depends mainly on the presence of its double coat. Some Labradors, however, lack an undercoat or have a thinner double coat compared to others within their family which means not be able to handle the same temperatures as the other labs. 

It would help if you also avoided any cold exposure for your Lab right after a swim/bath or with wet fur. 

Age

Pups and old Labradors are far more susceptible to the cold temperature around them.

Weight

Fat acts as an insulating layer in your Lab’s body, protecting it against the cold. However, this doesn’t mean you should let your pooch gain an unhealthy amount of weight.

Gender

Male Labrador Retrievers generally handle heat better than female labs (although not much). This higher tolerance is because of the higher coat density and weight of males in comparison to females.

Even when it comes to male Labradors, the unneutered males have a higher cold tolerance than the neutered ones. A higher testosterone level means a better metabolic rate, which, in turn, means a higher body temperature that helps to combat the surrounding cold.

Wind

Winds on cold nights allow the chill to seep directly into the body of your Lab. Furthermore, it also works to carry away heat from your pup’s body. Hence, traveling outside with your Lab on a cold plus windy night is a massive NO.

How Do I Keep My Labrador Warm In Extreme Cold?

Aside from bringing your Lab inside the home or getting them an insulated kennel with lots of bedding (and good drinking water), here’s what you can do to help your puppy combat the cold:

Limit Outside Time

Do not keep your Lab exposed to the cold at all times. You may give your Lab its much-needed daily playtime (if the cold is relatively mild). Still, it would help if you didn’t allow unnecessary outside time to avoid hypothermia and frostbite.

Regular Grooming

A good grooming routine gives your Lab a better coat, allowing it better insulation against the cold.

Exercise

Proper exercise is vital for your Lab. A fit lab can combat the heat far better than an unfit one.

Regular Health Checks

It would be best if you tried to schedule a vet visit for your Lab before the start of every winter. It’ll not only keep you up to date on your pooch’s health, but it’ll also alert you to any conditions that may worsen from exposure to cold. 

Furthermore, whenever your Lab comes back from its cold venture, check its ears, tail, and feet (paws) for signs of frostbite and clean them up right away to avoid any consumption of ice melts (rock salts and deicers). 

Ice melts are chemicals used to melt ice on the road. They are highly toxic to canines (and cats) and, if consumed, can be fatal. If you suspect your Lab has antifreeze poisoning, rush it to a vet as soon as possible. The number of dogs that succumb to ice melt poisoning yearly is in the thousands, so keep a vigilant eye out! 

Do Labradors Need Coats In Cold Weather?

According to the general consensus, your Lab does not need a winter coat in cold weather. Since as long as the weather is above 20 °F your Lab will be pretty comfortable in its skin.

However, in special circumstances, where your Lab may be more sensitive to the cold, having a winter coat for your pooch will be very handy, so keeping one around is the best choice. 

The Dangers Of Extreme Cold For Your Lab

Overexposure to the cold can cause:

• Hypothermia
• Ice Melts consumption
• Frostbite
• Increased Hip issues and arthritis

How Do I Know If My Labrador Is Feeling Cold?

Although your Lab is very “chill-proof,” you should still look for any signs that may point towards a problem with the cold. These include:

• Whining
• Low or Extreme Shivering (shaking)
• Showing hesitance to exercise/walk
• Showing obvious signs of visible discomfort and anxiety/stress
• Trying to keep its paws off the ground (lifting them)

All of these point toward the onset of hypothermia, which can be fatal if not treated promptly. Take your Labrador to the vet immediately if you are the least bit concerned that they may have hypothermia.

Takeaway:

Labradors are generally unbothered by the cold due to their constitution and double coat. However, they have their limits, and at anything below 20 °F, even healthy adult labs may fall to the chill. That said, just because your pup can handle it doesn’t mean it should be exposed to such a temperature. Then, how cold is too cold for Labradors? Just to be safe, you should bring your Lab inside if the weather falls to 44 °F or below.