...at least until the icy patches form between their toes
January 8, 2017 6:09 PM Subscribe
Why do dogs love snow? Canine behavioral researcher Julie Hecht (Dog Spies) asked a bunch of experts why dogs go crazy for snow. Did you know that "dogs' ability to turn up their metabolism as the temperature falls means that snow will cause them far less discomfort than it can do for us"?
Dogs in snow previously on metafilter.
Dogs in snow previously on metafilter.
Why do dogs love snow?
because they are perfect flawless creatures with nothing but love in their hearts and in their lil waggy tails
posted by poffin boffin at 6:19 PM on January 8, 2017 [65 favorites]
because they are perfect flawless creatures with nothing but love in their hearts and in their lil waggy tails
posted by poffin boffin at 6:19 PM on January 8, 2017 [65 favorites]
My Husky's first big snow.... This was 8 years ago, she still loves being out in the winter.
posted by HuronBob at 6:28 PM on January 8, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by HuronBob at 6:28 PM on January 8, 2017 [10 favorites]
flawless creatures who apparently can, from the other room, hear me putting on socks and come over to ask for a walk in the snow.
posted by moonmilk at 6:29 PM on January 8, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by moonmilk at 6:29 PM on January 8, 2017 [8 favorites]
Some guy on NPR says our bodies can do the same metabolism thing.
I'd still rather be a dog.
posted by mattamatic at 6:31 PM on January 8, 2017 [9 favorites]
I'd still rather be a dog.
posted by mattamatic at 6:31 PM on January 8, 2017 [9 favorites]
The best part of dogs in snow is dogs in snow boots.
posted by AFABulous at 6:40 PM on January 8, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by AFABulous at 6:40 PM on January 8, 2017 [4 favorites]
Thanks for a great article! We are enjoying our new puppy's first winter--he absolutely goes bonkers with joy when there's new snowfall. Where we live snow is light and fluffy and that seems to bring the most happiness and chance for play (we took him to Vancouver which had much wetter, sloppier snow and he didn't like it as much).
It was interesting to read about dogs' ability to warm their feet and change their metabolism--explains why our little guy does pretty well until it dips below about -15 C (5 F). I agree most dogs who live in normal conditions probably don't need boots, but we do find at those temps and below (it went down to -30 C / -22 F) in December), most dogs here need some kind of foot pad protection. We've had good luck with Pawz, and although he's pretty rambunctious, we have found we are able to reuse them.
He's used to them now, but oh man it was pretty hilarious when he first started walking in them. Just like AFABulous' link!
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 6:52 PM on January 8, 2017 [1 favorite]
It was interesting to read about dogs' ability to warm their feet and change their metabolism--explains why our little guy does pretty well until it dips below about -15 C (5 F). I agree most dogs who live in normal conditions probably don't need boots, but we do find at those temps and below (it went down to -30 C / -22 F) in December), most dogs here need some kind of foot pad protection. We've had good luck with Pawz, and although he's pretty rambunctious, we have found we are able to reuse them.
He's used to them now, but oh man it was pretty hilarious when he first started walking in them. Just like AFABulous' link!
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 6:52 PM on January 8, 2017 [1 favorite]
Because, according to my observations, dogs appear to be ALL OR NOTHING! IT IS AWESOME or IT SUCKS! There's no middle ground with our canine friends.
posted by Samizdata at 6:57 PM on January 8, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Samizdata at 6:57 PM on January 8, 2017 [1 favorite]
HuronBob, it's telling me your video is not available :(
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:00 PM on January 8, 2017
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:00 PM on January 8, 2017
They're good dogs, Brent.
I'm very sorry, but no one else had done it yet and I couldn't resist.
posted by Soulfather at 7:10 PM on January 8, 2017 [15 favorites]
I'm very sorry, but no one else had done it yet and I couldn't resist.
posted by Soulfather at 7:10 PM on January 8, 2017 [15 favorites]
My dog is small- Jack Russell Terrier - but he plows through snow drifts fearlessly, and in a very deep snow, I've seen him porpoising through it. Simultaneously badass and hilarious.
posted by theora55 at 7:11 PM on January 8, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by theora55 at 7:11 PM on January 8, 2017 [3 favorites]
lil waggy tails!!!!
posted by shockingbluamp at 7:14 PM on January 8, 2017
posted by shockingbluamp at 7:14 PM on January 8, 2017
I think most dogs are just way too hot most of the time. When it snows long haired breeds are finally at their design operating temperature.
posted by fshgrl at 7:46 PM on January 8, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by fshgrl at 7:46 PM on January 8, 2017 [12 favorites]
We have what the shelter claimed was a Great Pyrenees/Lab mix, but once her shaved coat grew back in, it's pretty clear she's just a Great Pyrenees. These are herd protection dogs, and Proven Bear Killers, and they are enormous and powerful and very fluffy and soft. She has paws like desert plates.
She was born in fostered in South Carolina, in an area where there was no real snow when she was a puppy, and while we had a little snow a few weeks back, which she found novel and unnerving, we had a LOT of snow yesterday and the day before. I'm talking 15" or so.
We have a 100' tether that lets her romp all around the yard, and she was romping like mad, digging little holes, bounding into drifts clear up to her ears and burrowing out, chasing her own tail, kicking up clods of snow to bite at and that dog refused to come in. For FOUR HOURS. She had found her true calling and life's purpose - to play in the snow and then come in and hop on the couch to curl up when my wife wasn't paying attention, and well, it's too late to shoo her off now.
posted by Slap*Happy at 7:52 PM on January 8, 2017 [27 favorites]
She was born in fostered in South Carolina, in an area where there was no real snow when she was a puppy, and while we had a little snow a few weeks back, which she found novel and unnerving, we had a LOT of snow yesterday and the day before. I'm talking 15" or so.
We have a 100' tether that lets her romp all around the yard, and she was romping like mad, digging little holes, bounding into drifts clear up to her ears and burrowing out, chasing her own tail, kicking up clods of snow to bite at and that dog refused to come in. For FOUR HOURS. She had found her true calling and life's purpose - to play in the snow and then come in and hop on the couch to curl up when my wife wasn't paying attention, and well, it's too late to shoo her off now.
posted by Slap*Happy at 7:52 PM on January 8, 2017 [27 favorites]
Meanwhile, my herd of Chihuahuas give me a look of betrayal whenever I send them out in this damp SoCal winter - "why do you hate us so?"
My little Chorgi princess, who we lost unexpectedly last month, would take dainty, mincing little steps whenever it was wet. I really miss that dog
posted by drewbage1847 at 9:31 PM on January 8, 2017 [7 favorites]
My little Chorgi princess, who we lost unexpectedly last month, would take dainty, mincing little steps whenever it was wet. I really miss that dog
posted by drewbage1847 at 9:31 PM on January 8, 2017 [7 favorites]
Extra points for the use of Allie Brosh's Simple Dog as a header image.
posted by JHarris at 10:39 PM on January 8, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by JHarris at 10:39 PM on January 8, 2017 [5 favorites]
Too many years ago, we had a Chihuahua mix who dearly loved snow. The deeper, the better. She would run out into snow three times her height and leap and disappear. Repeat, repeatedly. It was the great joy of her life. And ours.
posted by bryon at 10:47 PM on January 8, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by bryon at 10:47 PM on January 8, 2017 [5 favorites]
Apparently the best snow game is Let's Find The Snowball That Dad-oid Threw Into The Foot-Deep Snow All Around Us.
Along with, of course, Let's Bite Tish.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:22 PM on January 8, 2017 [2 favorites]
Along with, of course, Let's Bite Tish.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:22 PM on January 8, 2017 [2 favorites]
Q: What do you call a litter of young dogs that have come in out of the snow?
A: Slush puppies!
Q: What do sled dogs say before telling you a joke?
A: "This one will sleigh you!"
Q: What do you call a cold dog sitting on a rabbit?
A: A chili dog on a bun.
...Sorry/not sorry
posted by benadryl at 12:11 AM on January 9, 2017 [7 favorites]
A: Slush puppies!
Q: What do sled dogs say before telling you a joke?
A: "This one will sleigh you!"
Q: What do you call a cold dog sitting on a rabbit?
A: A chili dog on a bun.
...Sorry/not sorry
posted by benadryl at 12:11 AM on January 9, 2017 [7 favorites]
benadryl - Andy Zaltzman's dog pun run on the bugle will be your punishment. Just remember you started it. (The golden retriever one may be my favorite thing ever. Also, how squeaky John Oliver gets when he's in pun-induced agony.)
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 1:33 AM on January 9, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 1:33 AM on January 9, 2017 [4 favorites]
I admit nothing, kleinsteradikaleminderheit. You're barking up the wrong tree.
posted by benadryl at 2:23 AM on January 9, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by benadryl at 2:23 AM on January 9, 2017 [2 favorites]
predators love change, prey animals hate it
I realize that the author didn't intend this as a hard-and-fast rule, but how do cats fit in this scenario? I'm guessing that cats fall into the "predator" end of the spectrum, but they seem to dislike change--simply moving a favorite chair leads to hours of anxiety, especially for older cats.
posted by Gordion Knott at 2:47 AM on January 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
I realize that the author didn't intend this as a hard-and-fast rule, but how do cats fit in this scenario? I'm guessing that cats fall into the "predator" end of the spectrum, but they seem to dislike change--simply moving a favorite chair leads to hours of anxiety, especially for older cats.
posted by Gordion Knott at 2:47 AM on January 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
Cats are predators yes, but they're also small and solitary creatures, which makes them vulnerable to becoming prey for larger predators, so it's not out of character for them to respond negatively to change. The love for cardboard boxes and other small enclosed spaces also partly stems from a need to feel safe from larger predators.
posted by radwolf76 at 3:25 AM on January 9, 2017
posted by radwolf76 at 3:25 AM on January 9, 2017
I think most dogs are just way too hot most of the time. When it snows long haired breeds are finally at their design operating temperature.
I've long thought that the ideal living conditions for most dogs was back when we lived in caves or open-sided shelters, where you can move along the temperature gradient from the fire, where it is nice and warm, to the entrance, where it is nice and chilly but out of the rain. Dogs seem to love those extremes, getting all toasty warm or laying happily in what I would consider far too cold conditions. Modern climate control set for human preferences must feel constantly wrong.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:16 AM on January 9, 2017 [3 favorites]
I've long thought that the ideal living conditions for most dogs was back when we lived in caves or open-sided shelters, where you can move along the temperature gradient from the fire, where it is nice and warm, to the entrance, where it is nice and chilly but out of the rain. Dogs seem to love those extremes, getting all toasty warm or laying happily in what I would consider far too cold conditions. Modern climate control set for human preferences must feel constantly wrong.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:16 AM on January 9, 2017 [3 favorites]
Awww! We're planning on getting a dog, and as I read up on it (and watch puppy videos...) my excitement level builds and I fear that it will soon surpass my kids'. And we do get snow!
posted by Harald74 at 6:58 AM on January 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Harald74 at 6:58 AM on January 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
My greyhound - with his short hair, no undercoat, and zero body fat - LOVES snow and colder weather. Every summer he gets so lethargic (despite his climate-controlled indoor life) and I think, "Well, he is getting along in years maybe he's slowing down" or "I'm pretty sure my dog is depressed." And then every fall/winter the temperature drops and he suddenly is playing with his squeaky toys again and happy to go out for walks. And when there's fresh snow? I'll take him to the fenced-in playground on our block and that 10 year old grey-faced dude will tear around the park, doing zoomies and buzzing the tower(me) until his toes break through the rubber dog boots I make him wear.
It confused the hell out of me but I'm glad he likes winter considering Chicago has 6 months of it.
posted by misskaz at 7:20 AM on January 9, 2017 [5 favorites]
It confused the hell out of me but I'm glad he likes winter considering Chicago has 6 months of it.
posted by misskaz at 7:20 AM on January 9, 2017 [5 favorites]
If you're more excited than your kids it's only because they fail to comprehend how awesome having a dog is.
Our Akita, Bailey, runs hot. Akita's are a Spitz breed which tend to come from colder climates (in Bailey's case, the mountainous Akita prefecture in Japan) and their coat consists of a coarse outer coat and a soft, thick undercoat. We can usually figure out why she is laying where she is when we think about the temperature. For example: laying on some shady, cool, sand. or some nice, cool, tiles. Every single time the A/C kicks on in the summer, we can count to ten before she trots out from whatever cool spot (probably the bathroom) she's found to come lay on top of the A/C vent in front of the sliding glass door. I grew up with a Samoyed (another Spitz breed) that did the exact same thing.
posted by VTX at 7:24 AM on January 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
Our Akita, Bailey, runs hot. Akita's are a Spitz breed which tend to come from colder climates (in Bailey's case, the mountainous Akita prefecture in Japan) and their coat consists of a coarse outer coat and a soft, thick undercoat. We can usually figure out why she is laying where she is when we think about the temperature. For example: laying on some shady, cool, sand. or some nice, cool, tiles. Every single time the A/C kicks on in the summer, we can count to ten before she trots out from whatever cool spot (probably the bathroom) she's found to come lay on top of the A/C vent in front of the sliding glass door. I grew up with a Samoyed (another Spitz breed) that did the exact same thing.
posted by VTX at 7:24 AM on January 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
Hehe, my dog probably loves the snow IN THEORY but in practice he is unable to enjoy it. He's a lil Italian Greyhound and they have one of the shortest coats of any dog and are only about 8-11 lbs. Even with full warm jacket harness he just gets cold too quickly. He knows this and so refuses to step in water / ice / snow at all. Ah well.
posted by lazaruslong at 7:56 AM on January 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by lazaruslong at 7:56 AM on January 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
My min pin LOVES the novelty of snow, but it wears out quickly. Being let out the first time there's snow on the ground for the year, he'll charge through it, chasing after the tiny snowballs that are made from his body pushing through fresh snow, running after snowballs I throw, etc. The second time he's let out, he'll trot around the perimeter half-heartedly, the third time, he is done. He'll go out to the shoveled area, do his business, and come right back in.
One of my other dogs hates all forms of precipitation and will turn around and trot inside if it sounds/smells (she's blind) like it's wet, the third has longish hair and is noticeably peppier when it's cool out. He's the worst at bringing snow in though, it sticks to his luxurious chest fur in giant clumps that fall off wherever he travels inside.
posted by Fig at 8:16 AM on January 9, 2017
One of my other dogs hates all forms of precipitation and will turn around and trot inside if it sounds/smells (she's blind) like it's wet, the third has longish hair and is noticeably peppier when it's cool out. He's the worst at bringing snow in though, it sticks to his luxurious chest fur in giant clumps that fall off wherever he travels inside.
posted by Fig at 8:16 AM on January 9, 2017
My pointer/lab mix is definitely a winter doggo. She gets overheated pretty easily, so in the summer we'll run around at the park for ~15 minutes and then she'll go hide in the shade under a picnic table and/or dunk her whole head into the nearest water dish. In the winter, she'd stay at the park all day if given the chance. Boots are necessary if it gets below 10 F or so but she never seems to get cold otherwise.
posted by cnelson at 9:37 AM on January 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by cnelson at 9:37 AM on January 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
Can I just say how much I'm loving you all post pictures and videos of your dogs? Thanks.
posted by sauril at 9:49 AM on January 9, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by sauril at 9:49 AM on January 9, 2017 [4 favorites]
Modern climate control set for human preferences must feel constantly wrong.
Tell that to my big fluffy Akita/GSD/something mutt. As far as he's concerned, indoors at 72F is perfection itself. It's struggling to get out of the 60s today, so he's laying in the sun. If it gets warmer than that, he wonders why I haven't turned on the AC.
Basically he hates being outside unless there is something to be chased. Back when we lived in a place where snow was a thing that happened, he enjoyed it for all of 10 seconds and was done. Our recently departed Shih-Tzu enjoyed it more, but still preferred the stability of the climate controlled house to any amount of bouncing around in the snow.
Any time we got more than a couple of inches I had to go shovel out a spot for the dogs to use for their bodily functions or they'd just refuse to go outside like the prima donnas they are.
posted by wierdo at 10:06 AM on January 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
Tell that to my big fluffy Akita/GSD/something mutt. As far as he's concerned, indoors at 72F is perfection itself. It's struggling to get out of the 60s today, so he's laying in the sun. If it gets warmer than that, he wonders why I haven't turned on the AC.
Basically he hates being outside unless there is something to be chased. Back when we lived in a place where snow was a thing that happened, he enjoyed it for all of 10 seconds and was done. Our recently departed Shih-Tzu enjoyed it more, but still preferred the stability of the climate controlled house to any amount of bouncing around in the snow.
Any time we got more than a couple of inches I had to go shovel out a spot for the dogs to use for their bodily functions or they'd just refuse to go outside like the prima donnas they are.
posted by wierdo at 10:06 AM on January 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
>>My greyhound - with his short hair, no undercoat, and zero body fat - LOVES snow and colder weather. Every summer he gets so lethargic (despite his climate-controlled indoor life) and I think, "Well, he is getting along in years maybe he's slowing down" or "I'm pretty sure my dog is depressed." And then every fall/winter the temperature drops and he suddenly is playing with his squeaky toys again and happy to go out for walks. And when there's fresh snow? I'll take him to the fenced-in playground on our block and that 10 year old grey-faced dude will tear around the park, doing zoomies and buzzing the tower(me) until his toes break through the rubber dog boots I make him wear.
That's fascinating, misskaz, because greyhounds are subject to malignant hyperthermia, which often causes fatal overheating under certain anesthetics.
Brown fat, which specializes in generating heat, arises from cells which can also become muscle, and given the lack of body fat your dog seems to have in common with the rest of the breed (along with an amazing level of muscularity regardless of exercise, in my observation), I am wondering whether the cells which might have become brown fat ended up becoming muscle instead, but with their predilection to generate heat intact, and whether moving around therefore generates a lot more heat in your dog than it would for other breeds, and that's why he gets lethargic in the summer.
posted by jamjam at 1:18 PM on January 9, 2017 [3 favorites]
That's fascinating, misskaz, because greyhounds are subject to malignant hyperthermia, which often causes fatal overheating under certain anesthetics.
Brown fat, which specializes in generating heat, arises from cells which can also become muscle, and given the lack of body fat your dog seems to have in common with the rest of the breed (along with an amazing level of muscularity regardless of exercise, in my observation), I am wondering whether the cells which might have become brown fat ended up becoming muscle instead, but with their predilection to generate heat intact, and whether moving around therefore generates a lot more heat in your dog than it would for other breeds, and that's why he gets lethargic in the summer.
posted by jamjam at 1:18 PM on January 9, 2017 [3 favorites]
Hmm, it's still not letting me watch that one, HuronBob, but I can see the snowball one! (Very cute!)
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:09 PM on January 9, 2017
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:09 PM on January 9, 2017
My Boxer/GSD/Husky mix thinks snow is the best thing ever. He will go to the window and pretty much vibrate and make this weird little whine as soon as he notices that it is snowing.
He will gallop and frolic and roll in it, chase snowflakes and snowballs...then get really confused, because he is cold and wet. Poor guy got the Boxer coat, and the Husky desire to run and play in the snow.
posted by MissySedai at 3:36 PM on January 11, 2017 [2 favorites]
He will gallop and frolic and roll in it, chase snowflakes and snowballs...then get really confused, because he is cold and wet. Poor guy got the Boxer coat, and the Husky desire to run and play in the snow.
posted by MissySedai at 3:36 PM on January 11, 2017 [2 favorites]
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posted by moonmilk at 6:10 PM on January 8, 2017 [5 favorites]