As the winter months approach, it’s important to consider your Australian Shepherd’s well-being. Despite having thick double coats, do Australian Shepherds cope well in cold weather?
This article covers everything you need to know about Australian Shepherds and cold weather.
Although Australian Shepherds were not originally bred in cold-weather regions, they are still capable of tolerating very low temperatures. Their thick double coats do an impressive job of keeping their body warm in cold and even snowy conditions.
Let’s cover this in much more detail and whether or not Aussies can live or sleep outside, as well as their maximum tolerances of cold weather.
Table of Contents
Australian Shepherd Cold Tolerance
Australian Shepherds were originally bred on ranches in Western America, where temperatures rarely drop below 5°Celcius (40F).
So it’s fair to say that Aussies have not had much exposure to sub-zero temperatures throughout their history.
Yet, Australian Shepherds do a remarkable job of tolerating much colder weather than they should do.
Aussies are growing in popularity and are found worldwide, especially in certain parts of Canada and Alaska, where temperatures are notoriously low.
But do they like the cold?
Due to Aussie’s being rather resilient in cold weather it turns out they quite enjoy it too. Being cooler allows them to exercise for longer without over heating. Additionally, most dogs with thick double coats prefer cooler temperatures as it’s generally more comfortable for them.
And yes, Aussies love to play and run in the snow too!
Psst! A quick word on training. So many Aussie owners are praising Brain Training For Dogs we’ve got to mention it. Owners are reporting improved obedience and behavior quicker than anything else they’ve tried. We highly recommend checking it out.
What Temperature Is Too Cold For an Australian Shepherd?
It’s not just about what the mercury level reads.
0°Celcius (30°F) when there is no wind, rain or snow, is a completely different situation compared to when there is, wind, rain, or snow.
There is never a specific temperature that you can safely go by.
Each Australian Shepherd will have a different tolerance to the cold. As they are not a northern breed, tolerating cold weather isn’t a standard trait that all Aussies share.
In most cases, it depends on each dog’s previous exposure to low temperatures.
For those that really want numbers… The safest advice is to:
Bring your Australian shepherd indoors when temperatures go lower than 30°F (0°c). This way, regardless of outside weather conditions and your Aussie’s health, they will remain safe.
Important: How long can Australian shepherds really be left home alone?
Why Most Australian Shepherds Do Well in Cold Weather
Since Aussies have no real history of living and surviving in cold regions, many owners wonder why they can tolerate such low temperatures.
The answer? Behold their beautiful thick-double coat. Aussies are a double-coated breed, meaning their coat has two layers.
The undercoat is the soft fluffy fur that sits close to the skin and is known for its insulating properties. This fur is incredibly good at keeping your Aussie warm. The undercoat is also the archnemesis of your ability to keep your floors free from dog hair, yep, this is the coat that sheds!
The topcoat is made up of long fur that is tougher and more coarse to touch. Also considered to be “guard” hairs. This strong layer of fur protects your Aussie from the outside elements such as wind, rain, snow, cold, the sun, and direct heat.
Considering that Australian Shepherds are not a northern breed, it’s likely that their double-coat is their only defense against cold weather.
Some snow breeds like Siberian Huskies have evolved and adjusted their blood circulatory system within their paw pads to prevent their paws from freezing. There is no evidence that this is found in Australian Shepherds.
Popular article: When Do Australian Shepherds Stop Growing (Puppy Timeline)
Can Australian Shepherds Live/Sleep Outside In Winter?
This is a very popular question and it’s met with a lot of different opinions. There are a few key points to think about that will help you find your answer.
Should Australian shepherds sleep outside in winter?
Many owners strongly believe that dogs deserve to live inside your home with them. Dogs after all are social animals and require human and canine interaction in order to be happy.
Although Aussies are originally working dogs, they are highly affectionate and crave attention, so for many, having them live indoors is a must.
In my opinion, and for the majority of others, Australian Shepherds should sleep inside your home with your family. Whether it’s winter or not.
Are Australian shepherds capable of living outside in winter?
Technically speaking, as long as you have provided an extremely well-built completely weatherproofed dog housing unit, then yes, your Aussie would be capable of it.
Then again, after having built a dog house to such necessary requirements, it would be just as safe, dry, and warm as inside your actual home.
If you live in a very cold region then the dog house must be insulated, waterproof, windproof, have a raised floor with no drafts and in some cases, you’ll even need to provide some kind of external heater. What you end up with, is a house that would be good enough for you to sleep in.
The effects of leaving Australian Shepherds alone:
As previously mentioned, Australian Shepherds crave human and canine interaction and they don’t do very well on their own.
Unless you have a pack of Aussies, it would almost certainly become too lonely for a single Aussie to live and sleep on their own outside.
Isolation distress, depression, behavioral issues, and even separation anxiety can all develop in breeds that crave attention as the Australian Shepherds do.
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Do Australian Shepherds Need a Winter Jacket
Exercise is extremely important for Australian Shepherds and the cold weather can’t get in the way of it. So does your Aussie need a winter coat when he goes out for exercise? Let’s find out.
In most situations, your Aussie will not need a winter jacket. His thick double-coat combined with keeping physically active will allow your Aussie’s body temperature to stay where it should.
With that being said, if it’s very cold, icy, and even raining, a winter jacket would be necessary. Despite having thick-double coats, they are only partly waterproof and the quickest way to hypothermia will be through being wet and cold.
There are good winter jackets available online so if you wanted to try one, you can. Here’s a highly-reviewed option
Many Aussie owners prefer to skip the winter jacket and do their best to exercise their Aussie from within their home when the weather gets too bad. I also agree that this is the best thing to do.
Signs Your Australian Shepherd Is Getting Too Cold
To protect your Australian Shepherd from hypothermia or just getting too cold in general, there are some universal signs and behavior patterns that you can watch out for.
If your Aussie displays the following behaviors, It’s time to head back inside:
● Movements are slowing down, or he may even refuse to walk further
● Holding a paw up off from the ground
● Shaking or shivering
● Tail tucked in between legs
● Body hunched over
● Any other unusual behavior
Even if your walk starts out great and your Australian Shepherd appears to be loving the snow, it can change quickly and unexpectedly.
It’s exactly like how it can be with young children. It’s all fun and games but then all of a sudden they’re too cold and you need to head back inside. Think of your Aussie as a young child and everything will be fine.
Interesting Australian Shepherd Articles on The Puppy Mag
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How long do Australian Shepherds usually live?
Cold Weather FAQ’s
What temperature is too cold for an Australian Shepherd
How cold your own Australian Shepherd can tolerate will change from another Aussie. Personal tolerance will be dictated by how frequently exposed to cold weather they are. It will also depend on whether it’s rainy, windy, or simply dry and cold. Wind chill can make zero degrees feel like -15 degrees.
Do Australian Shepherds like the snow?
Most Aussies love playing in the snow. They are very active and have a strong desire to play and snow is an interesting texture for all dogs. Going out in the snow can be very fun and rewarding, but you must always be attentive to how your Aussie is doing. Paws are very vulnerable when it comes to cold and hot surfaces.
If it’s sub-zero and raining should we still go out to exercise?
No. Whenever it’s raining you have to be extra cautious with cold weather. Rain will make any dog become too cold very quickly when the outside temperatures are low. Short potty breaks in your yard should be the only time your Aussie goes outside.
Can I make my Aussie like cold weather?
It’s not possible to force your Australian Shepherd to like cold weather, but he can certainly get used to it at his own pace. If you live or are moving to a cold region, you can encourage your Aussie to adjust to the cold by having many positive experiences and exposing him little by little each day.
Last Thoughts
Most Australian Shepherds tolerate cold weather very well. Their thick-double coat does a great job of keeping them warm. However, it’s important to understand that each Aussie will handle cold weather differently and some will do a better job than others.
It’s important not to overthink the temperature and focus more on the weather conditions instead.
0° Celcius, when it’s dry with no wind, is FAR more tolerable than 0° Celcius when it’s windy and raining. The conditions are important.
Always keep a close eye on your Aussie and check for signs that he’s getting too cold.
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