How to Care for Livestock Guardian Dogs in the Winter

April 24, 2019 Bri Wyzard

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So winter’s here and you want to make sure your dogs have everything they need to stay happy and warm. Maybe you are feeling considerably worried about them living outside in the cold weather.

How do you care for livestock guardian dogs in the winter or very cold weather? As long as livestock guardian dogs are provided high quality food, water, and shelter, they tend to do well in very cold weather. In extreme temperatures, the dogs may need a temporary heated shelter. Young, elderly, sick, and injured dogs may also need a heated shelter.

Continue reading to learn why livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) do well in cold weather, what you can do to keep them safe, and how to know when it is too cold for your dog.

Why Livestock Guardian Dogs Handle Cold Weather Well

Livestock guardian dogs handle cold temperatures well due primarily to three factors:

Double coats
Large body mass
Acclimatization

Livestock Guardian Dog Winter Coats

Livestock guardian dog breeds are generally born with a double coat. The outer coat contains hairs that are long and flat. These are designed to shed water and protect the dogs from extreme weather. The undercoat is what provides insulation and warmth for the dogs as it is thick and downy.

Livestock Guardian Dog Body Mass

Generally speaking, the larger the dog, the better they are at handling cold temperatures.

According to the late Professor Coppinger of Hampshire College, medium-sized dogs (under 70 pounds) start to combat the effects of the cold at around -32˚C by shivering and trying to increase their internal metabolic rate.

Larger dogs, who weigh 100 pounds or more (this would be most livestock guardian dog breeds), can withstand much lower temperatures before they start to employ their natural cold defense mechanisms. Though it is unhealthy for LGDs to be overweight, a layer of fat can help insulate their bodies and protects against cold temperatures.

Livestock Guardian Dog Winter Acclimatization

If you want your livestock guardian dog to be able to withstand extreme weather (both hot and cold temperatures), it is important to keep the dog outdoors as much as possible throughout the year. This allows the dog to acclimate gradually from really hot temperatures to very cold temperatures. This is also vital as the temperature signals their body to adjust their coat as the seasons change.

Keeping Your Livestock Guardian Dogs Safe in the Winter

During the winter months, it is important to feed your livestock guardian dogs high quality food, provide fresh water, and ensure they have shelter and bedding.

Food and Water for Livestock Guardian Dogs in Winter

The amount of food your dogs need will depend on the weather conditions, the size of your dogs, and their activity levels. Many livestock guardian dog owners will increase the amount of food given to their dogs during times of extreme cold. Some research (summarized in this article) has shown that a good rule of thumb is to increase the dogs’ food intake by 7.5% for every 5.5˚C drop in temperature. With that being said, make sure to pay attention to your dogs – some may require more food than others to maintain their stamina and body temperatures during the cold winter months. You may also consider providing dogs with free-feeders so they can decide when or if they need more food.

LGDs will also need access to fresh, clean, unfrozen water. Make sure you are checking your dogs’ water bowls very often, especially when the temperature is below freezing. You may even consider using heated dog bowls (like this one on Amazon) to ensure their water is never frozen or inaccessible.

Shelter for Livestock Guardian Dogs in Winter

Livestock guardian dogs were born and bred to live outdoors in all sorts of weather conditions and are well-equipped to handle cold temperatures. Some LGDs will burrow into the middle of their flocks or herds (who often use each other for shelter and heat) to keep warm and find relief from the wind.

However, just because they have the ability and natural instinct to do this does not mean they shouldn’t have access to an actual shelter of some kind. Some LGD owners provide a windbreak shelter that both the dogs and their charges can take cover in. This won’t necessarily be like a barn or a doghouse but will provide necessary relief from the cold and wind chill in many conditions.

Others may have winter barns or structures in place.

If you don’t have a barn or shed available for your dogs, there are many other options out there to provide them winter shelter. Dog houses are a very common solution. Dog houses need to be small enough that the dogs can warm the space up with their body heat alone, but also large enough so the dog can comfortably lie down, turn around, and stand up.

Unfortunately, most commercial dog houses are not large enough for LGD sized breeds. To get around that issue, Brenda Negri (in her book, The Way of The Pack: Understanding and Living With Livestock Guardian Dogs) recommends Behlen Country Calf Hutches (check them out here). These are great because they are actually big enough for two or three LGDs to sleep together in one so they can help keep each other warm. If using these or a conventional doghouse, try to face the dog house against the wind to give your dogs extra protection from the cold.

Some livestock guardian dogs will prefer a lean-to shelter more than an enclosed dog house. This is because they can better keep an eye on the livestock with a more open shelter. For an example of this, see the video below of Tino, the Maremma’s, shelter.

Bedding for Livestock Guardian Dogs in Winter

Conventional type bedding is not recommended for outside dwelling LGDs and their shelters. Dog beds and blankets do not provide the type of insulation these dogs need to keep warm, and are much more difficult to keep dry.

Most livestock guardian dog owners use dry, thick bedding like straw, hay, or wood chips – with straw being the most popular as it is the best insulator. A thick layer of straw inside a dog house, shelter, or calf hutch will help the dogs keep warm. Straw should be replaced at least a few times every winter and at every cold snap. The straw should be consistently monitored for moisture content as wet straw loses its capability to insulate. Dogs bring in snow and ice on their fur which can cause moisture build up in the straw over time.

Foot Care for Livestock Guardian Dogs in Winter

I use Musher’s Secret (Amazon link) on my dogs. Applied as a wax-based cream to the pads of their paws, it protects from ice, snow, and salt. It also holds in moisture to prevent and heal wounds and keep paws healthy. Musher’s Secret is super easy to apply and provides a wealth of protection for your dog.

Special Considerations for Winter Livestock Guardian Dog Care

It is important to take special considerations when dealing with young, elderly, sick and injured dogs.

Age: Although a ten-pound puppy who is the same age as a one-pound terrier will handle the cold weather better, puppies under two months old do not tolerate extremely cold weather well in general. They do not yet have the body mass or the proper winter coat.

Older dogs who may have lost some of their fur, body mass or ability to regulate body heat may also have a more difficult time in the extreme cold. Both elderly dogs and puppies with double coats (like many LGDs) will fare better, but make sure to watch both your younger and older LGDs extra carefully when it gets below 0˚F.

Health: LGDs who are in poor health, underweight or have recently had surgery, an illness, or injury might need special consideration. They will not be able to regulate their body heat as well and cold slows down the healing process of injuries or incision sites. Dogs who have arthritis will be also be affected when it is very cold – much like the effects cold has on humans. You may need to bring them into the house or provide some kind of heated outdoor shelter to give some relief from the extreme temperatures.

How Livestock Guardian Dogs Stay Warm in Winter When Sleeping

When LGDs sleep, they curl up and may put their tail over their nose. This helps trap the heat against their bodies. You can tell when they are holding in their body heat efficiently when the snow on their fur is not melting.

How Cold is Too Cold for Livestock Guardian Dogs in Winter?

Unfortunately, there is no “magic number” when it comes to cold temperatures. The LGD’s ability to tolerate cold weather will really depend on age, health, coat density, and nutritional status as previously discussed. If your livestock guardian dog is shivering, refusing to come out of his shelter, or refuses to come out of his curled position, he is probably too cold. In this case, your dog will need a heated shelter or to come inside your home. If your dog has ice on his fur, he is losing body heat and may be too cold. Again, consider bringing your LGD inside.

For Love of Livestock