How can I keep my Coton de Tulear cool during this hot summer?

by Judith
(United States)

This is my first summer with my Coton Poukee, I have him in a puppy cut to help him be more comfortable, but what is the scoop on their gorgeous coat and one hundred degree Temperature?

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Jul 15, 2023
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Cotons are hardier than you think NEW
by: Anonymous

I've had my 7 month old Coton out on our deck with us when it's around 30C and he doesn't seem to be dying.....he just sits in the shady areas on the deck where it is hottest, close to the brick on the house. I have taken him out on our kayaks a few times when it has been around 26 C or above with humidity and he seems fine....will have to watch of course. I do find it amusing that as of late he has been lying on the floor vents when the AC is on. Whe he was around 3 months to 5 months he was out in the snow with no protection and he loved it....I think we can perhaps baby our puppies and dogs to much...I think they are hardier than we think.....
L C
Ottawa Ontario....

Feb 28, 2019
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in need of paw protection for Coton puppy NEW
by: Molly

We have a three month old Coton and are in need of a recommendation for the ideal winter boot/paw protection for her. Have tried the rubber balloon type of product which wasn't suitable. We live in Toronto Canada and are concerned about the ice/snow and salt. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Jan 03, 2018
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Paw protection for winter walks NEW
by: Anonymous

Can anyone suggest a good winter bootie for our 16 pound Coton. She loves to walk out in the snow but I am afraid her paws will get too cold...we are in Wisconsin.. what size do you suggest?

Jun 26, 2016
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Cottons and heat NEW
by: Maggie

My Coton does the same as others have mentioned. She wants to go outside, but if it is too hot and humid, she wants to come back in. So, I carry her to her spot, she potatoes, then we run back in. We walk at either 7:00 AM or 9:00 PM
when the sun is not strong. She can only walk around our suburban block before she heats up and pants like crazy.

She really hates rain, but will dash out to potty. No walks.

She loves snow and will play in it. I have to yell, Go Potty!
She is easily distracted.

I'm sue most cottons are spoiled or indulged, because, well just look at them!

Jul 07, 2012
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My Eddie and heat
by: Joyce

Ahahahah...reading your comments about your Coton's reaction to heat. Eddie lives in AZ and summer means heat. My dog is so spoiled he will not go out side if it is too hot. He puts his nose throught he dog door and then comes back inside. LOL He loves going outside in the early morning and in the evening and I will often see him lying between trees in the grass shading himself. He does not get enough exercise but he seems ok. I have 5 dogs so he is always playing and he has lots of companionship when I'm gone..though I must admit if I am gone too many hours I often come home to some surprises...it is a way, I think, that the dogs are saying they are displeased at my ignoring them for too long. LOL He is the most perfect dog in the world!!

Jun 12, 2012
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Hot weather and tear stains
by: Carol

Our Coton, Imy only walks at night. She heads right back in if we take her out and her potty breaks are very short and in the shade.

New discovery: After reading all the stuff about dog treats/food from China, I threw all out that even mentioned China. It took two weeks and my Coton's eyes are as clear as day, brighter, and her energy level has doubled (not sure that's the best..at least they have short endurance). Her stool is normal, her tummy problems are gone and her appetite is better. Suffice it to say I am making her treats. She loves the sweet potatoes wrapped in chicken strips. I do this and use food dehydrator to cook and dry them. Careful because they cannot eat more than one or two a day.

Love the Coton newsletter.

Sincerely,
Imy's mom

Jun 12, 2012
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Coton not Hardy after All?
by: Anonymous

WoW! This concerns me. I have put a deposit down on a Coton with the understanding of what I have read and learned that COtons are a hardy breed and can handle heat and cold. Extreme heat and cold is another thing I guess. I need a dog breed that can handle both within reason of course. Do you think it's also just individual dogs; like one Coton may love water, the other not so much?

Aug 18, 2010
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Too hot
by: Anonymous

I just had to chime in because I just opened the back door to take my dog out and he barely got his nose out the door and did a u-turn right back into the house. He is just not having any of this hot weather. (Had to pick him up and take him to his spot outside)

During the summer he spends the majority of his time sleeping right on the kitchen floor tile to keep cool. He only does that in the summer - during the winter he's a couch potato :)

Aug 14, 2010
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cooling my Coton on hot summer days
by: Iris Miller

I agree with Gale, and also want to add, the Coton has very pink skin, very prone to sunburn so if you feel warm, he is feeling it more (since a dog's normal temperature is higher than a human's) and they do not perspire to cool themselves down, only panting.

I get a wash cloth and soak it in cold water, then squeeze out the excess water and play with Tuffy by wiping his head and body down with it, then we play tug of war with it, so I can get a few more swipes of the cool wash cloth on him. Then I spread the cool damp cloth over a towel on the floor, he loves to lie on it.

Staying in with the air conditioning on is the best for us both on these hot muggy days.

Aug 14, 2010
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Cool Cotons
by: Gale

Extremely hot weather is rough on ALL dogs and the Coton is no exception. The Coton is more prone to sunburn due to their white coats so they shouldn't be overexposed to the sun. If your dog is going to be exposed to the heat for any length of time you can put sunscreen on his nose and tips of his ears.

It's been said that the long coat of the Coton was orignally intended to protect them from the heat of the sun in their native land of Tulear. So it isn't necessary to shave your Coton or keep him in a very short cut in the summer. The puppy cut does make grooming easier though.

But, having said that, Coton dogs are definitely not to be left outdoors for long periods of time in extreme heat. But there are things you can do to make the heat more safe and comfortable for your Coton:

Make sure to give him plenty of water
Watch out for signs of heatstroke (excessive panting, increased salivation, bright red tongue, increased heart rate, weakness, lethargy, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea)
If you want to play outside with your dog, try swimming or hosing him down
There are great products available such as cooling beds, bandannas, and collars to help keep his temperature cool
Walk your dog on the grass or dirt so he doesn't burn his paws on hot pavement.
And, of course, NEVER leave your dog in the car - this is deadly.

My dog Luc loves to be outside, but even he would rather be inside during the very hot days we're having here in Florida right now. We do most of our playing indoors during this time of year. I try to limit his outdoor exposure to early morning and late evening (except for brief potty breaks).

How do you keep your dog cool in the heat?

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Is it too cold?

What temperature is too cold to walk my Coton de Tulear?

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Dec 13, 2012
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Cold
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

I thnk I would judge if its to cold for me its to cold for them. Now I live in AZ so we hve no snow. But if I feel if I need gloves I will put a sweater on Jonah & his hair is semi long 4-5".

I grew up in the east & we use to use Mushers cream on the feet that helps w/the elements. I used to get it through JB catalog. But their r alot of diff. type boots that hve been invented since then if u r in a snow area & r walking where ashes or salt has been used. Good luck.

Dec 11, 2012
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Pupsickles?
by: Sydney's mom

Unless Sydney is wet I have been out walking with her at very cold temperatures and she had had no problems. -10 to -15 Celsius. Unfortunately the grommer I took her to last week went crazy on her and shaved her rather than trimmed her. Without her longer fur I don't think she will be as comfortable for the next couple of months.

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How does the coton de tulear like the weather?

by Samantha
(Herriman, Utah)

We just moved to Utah from England and are looking for a new dog (we had to leave our flat coat puppy with a friend) and are interested in the coton de tulear dog. Our major concern is the weather here though, it is so hot in the summer and so cold in the winter and we don't want to get one if they are going to be miserable here.

Any advice would be great, thank you so much!

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Dec 02, 2011
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Salt Lake City Coton owner
by: Anonymous

We live in Salt Lake City and recently got a Coton puppy (he's 4 months old). I've read that they are fine in cold weather but ours doesn't seem to like the cold much. Today I was out raking and he kept going and sitting by the door. It's probably dependent on the individual dog.

Sep 05, 2011
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SAMANTHA
by: SHERRY/COTTON

YOUR WEATHER CONCERN FOR A COTON IS WELL FOUNDED. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND MY COTON CANNOT TAKE BEING OUTSIDE IN THE HEAT, FOR ANY LONG PERIOD OF TIME ; IN FACT WHEN WE ARE OUTSIDE DOING YARD WORK WE ALWAYS WET HER DOWN IN THE POOL IF WE ARE TAKING HER OUT WITH US. WE DO NOT HAVE EXTREME COLD LIKE UTAH BUT AM SURE SHE WOULD NOT WANT TO BE OUTSIDE FOR LONG IN THE COLD EITHER.

LIKE IRIS SAID. THEY ARE INSIDE DOGS. I BELIEVE FOR A HOUSE/LAP DOG YOU COULD NOT FIND A BETTER BREED. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN OUTSIDE ATHLETE DOG, I WOULD LOOK ELSEWHERE.

IN CASE YOU DO NOT KNOW, THEY DO NOT LIKE BEING LEFT ALONE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, ARE YOU GONE ALOT??

SO MUCH TO CONSIDER, GOOD LUCK IN YOUR SEARCH.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU IN FINDING YOUR PERFECT PET!!

Sep 05, 2011
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Coton weather tolerance
by: Iris Miller

In my opinion, from experience with my own Coton, these are not dogs to leave outdoors. They have hair similar to ours, not a thick undercoat of fur like other dog breeds to insulate them from extremes in weather. They were, after all, originally bred to be companion (lap) dogs for the elite of Madagascar, They may have come a long way geographically, but I do not believe they adapt too well to extremes of weather conditions. We live in New England where we have long cold weather and deep snow. Tuffy will play in the first soft snow, but freezes with the deeper colder snow (even with a coat on). My son had to dig a path for the dog to go out to do his toilet. We just came back from Phoenix, Arizona, wheere they were having record high heat, temperatures from 104 to 118 degrees, the highest ever recorded there. When I took him out to pee, poor Tuffy had to literally walk on the equivalent of hot burning coals on the coarse red rock gravel and rocks used in most of the yard landscaping at the housing development where my friend lives. She drove us to a grassy area for dogs, where I had to carry him over the hot rocks and concrete, which was hot enough to "fry eggs on". As soon as we got back to my friends house (in the a.c.'d car) Tuffy ran over to his water dish and plopped both front paws into the cool water. His poor feet were sore for days. If not for the air conditioned house I don't think Tuffy or I would have lasted. I hope you will consider and research all breeds and cautionary advice before choosing your new canine companion.
best regards
Iris and Tuffy

Sep 05, 2011
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All Weather Dogs
by: Sherry (Alaska)

I have a 1 year old Coton that came from the Missouri. I also have 2 toy poodles. Cinderella, our Coton, absolutely loves the snow and cold weather. I was very suprised. She wanted to be outside more in the winter than the summer. When the poodles want to come in because of the cold, Cindy just looked at them as if she just didnt' understand why they wouldn't stay and play. It was hard getting her indoors in the winter. Though we don't have real hot weather here, there are many coton owners in the deep south who do. I do think the Coton is an all-weather dog.

Good luck to you. You won't find a sweeter dog.

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Snow Booties

by Julie
(Boulder, CO)

We live in the foothills of Colorado and recently the weather has been bitter cold with temperatures below zero. Does anyone have snow booties to recommend? Teddy can only be outside for about three minutes before he starts to limp because the snow is freezing his toes. He loves to run and play in the snow but, his paws can't handle -5 degrees without some protection.
Thanks for your Advice, Julie

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Jan 13, 2015
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Boots NEW
by: Anonymous

After shopping around a bit (as dog boots are necessary for Canadian winters in cities due to salt on sidewalks which can hurt their paws)...

i found the paws (disposable and reusable) balloon boots provide the best fit and don't fall off - they are also the most economical. They are color coded by size & I use the x-small / orange for my 4 month old coton

Second best is wellies dog boots - wellieboots.ca which are good for small breeds (easy to put on and has velcro strap). You just have to make sure to tighten to ensure snug fit so boots wont fall off.

Also Tried muttlucks which are nice (and more of a premium brand) but too large for my puppy and constantly fall off

Nov 15, 2014
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pad tough NEW
by: Vicky & Jonah

One more thing on pad tough. This usually comes w/a spray attachment so it can be sprayed on & is very easy & in the east would b great for the days of slushy or your just going in & out instead of playing outside for periods of time.

I have read thou at diff. Times that it is sold sometime without the sprayer. I just wanted to say This is not a problem since the top is standard & I have found that a cheap hairpray top fits just fine that u pick up at $ store. So if u run out don't throw ur sprayer top away until replacement is delivered. Just in case

Nov 15, 2014
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mushers secret or pad tough NEW
by: Vicky & Jonah

Depending of how bad of a snow area you live in check out these 2 products. Both r good. Visit Amazon shop & read the reviews to help you make your decision.

One thing w/mushers secret put it on just b4 you go out or u may end up w/ paw prints on your floor. The nice thing is that every time u run out for a quick potty you do not need to put on as the protection last a reasonable amount of time.

Even though boots look cute without a good fit & only if your dog can really walk in them they To can b slippery exceptionally on steps.

I live in the west where we get no snow & use pad tough since of our roads summer & winter. I grew up in PA where we used mushers secret since it has been around for many years & designed for the cold.

Nov 15, 2014
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Boots NEW
by: Anonymous

I purchased the ones that have the velcor around the leg and they seem to work. Look at the Dr. Fosters or Dog.com web sites.

Nov 14, 2014
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snowsuits with attached boots NEW
by: Anonymous

http://tootlewear.webs.com/dogsnowsuitwitboots.htm

Here's your answer. You can buy snowsuit with attached boots.

Nov 14, 2014
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Snow Boots NEW
by: Carol

Unfortunately, Cotons do not have feet.
They only have legs.
We live in Kettering, OH and have the same
problem. We had a very, very cold winter last year and the same thing happend to our Chewie.
We tried various boots and booties and none would fit his type of feet. They would just slip completely off.

If anyone has the answer, I would be interested as well.

Chewie's Mom, Kettering, OH

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Too hot!?

by kim
(ohio)

I have a male coton Lightning, he is shaved pretty short in the summer. His hair is growing out fast and thick right now. I hate to clip him short since we live in Ohio. He has been panting alot lately, just lying round the house. Could he be just too hot? Anyone else have this problem?

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Dec 17, 2012
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not too hot was a fever! Lightning update.
by: Kim

We ended up taking him to the vet,he was not himself this weekend. The panting was a sign of a fever. He had the start of bronchitis and ear infection. Thanks for all of your comments.

Dec 17, 2012
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Too hot?
by: Nicki and Della

I used to think the same thing about Della since we also live in Ohio and the fact of the matter is no matter what the temperature is she is always under a blanket or making some sort of nest to lay on. They come from Madagascar a naturally hot climate so I'm sure they are used to it more than we think. The decision is really up to you Della hates being brushed so our only option is to keep her at a mid length year round hot or cold. I am always worried she's going to overheat or freeze but she's always fine and if I take her out of her little nest she just makes it again so I wouldn't worry about it. Your boy is probably fine and you are probably just paranoid. Panting is also a sign of contentment and love so I wouldn't worry too much unless it gets excessive. Best Wishes.

Dec 15, 2012
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Too hot
by: JuJu

You may want to get him tested for Cushing's Disease. My daughter noticed her Maltese starting panting alot, which was unusual for him. It is usually treatable.

Dec 15, 2012
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Too hot Cotons
by: Sherry (Alaska)

My Cinderella prefers to be outside in the winter and inside in the summer... what sense does that make? We live in Anchorage, Alaska, where the winters are long and snowy & cold. I have her hair cut short every 2 months winter or summer. She loves it. I have 2 poodles too. Cindy pants much more often than the poodles and she likes the outdoors in the winter much more than the poodles. It must be a Coton thing! I wouldn't be shy about trimming her hair shorter in the winter...get your Coton a sweater for outdoors.

Dec 15, 2012
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too hot
by: iris Miller

We have the heater going a lot in winter, the dog sleeps at my feet, directly under the heater vent. That dry heat blowing down on Tuffy makes him too hot.He wanders around on the bed looking for a cool spot. I keep a small table fan going at low heat at night to circulate the air,It helps both of us. A humidifier helps a lot.
A dog's body temperature is much warmer than a human's,.It can be as high as 102 degrees. Check with your vet.
hugs,mom and tuffy

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Do Cotons need sweaters in the cold winters of the Midwest??

by KJ
(Illinois)

We've had our Coton de Tulear, "Maximus" (a name of irony) since August. He's now 6 months old - and even more awesome than when we first brought him home:)

Anyway, we live in the Chicagoland area and winter has officially hit! Max still goes outside no problem and of course is really curious about this new "white stuff", but does he need a sweater?? Thanks for the advice...

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Jan 16, 2015
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Wearing jackets in cold weather NEW
by: Marcia

I was told by my dogs breeder that Cotons love the cold weather. I was also told by my groomer that my little Gracie should not wear a sweater or jacket with fleece cause it will cause excessive matting. Soi found a puffy jacket that is the same on both sides so it glides Overt her hair. She is matting without the jacket cause she is almost 9 mos. I have to brush her every day.she has a refined puppy cut but it's long.

Dec 08, 2013
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sweater NEW
by: Sue

We live in Buffalo and our little coton loves to be outside but is bothered by the cold, so once the weather changes we put a sweater on her. Then when the snow comes we put a water proof jacket on her. When it's really snowy my husband will snow blow a path in our back yard, otherwise she can't get through the snow. We bought some boots to try this year but haven't had the deep snow yet

Nov 24, 2011
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Outerwear for Coton?
by: Wendy

We're heading to the Northeast over the holidays and wondering if our Coton needs some kind of sweater. We're more used to the warmth of Texas, but it can get cold here and we haven't been through any kind of winter with her yet. Any suggestions?

Dec 05, 2010
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Winter wear and Matted hair
by: Iris Miller

The cottony hair of a Coton is so absorbent, when we go out in wet weather Tuffy seems to get drenched to the skin. He has outgrown his little fleece coat and I tried making him one by cutting down a second hand infant's suit, but it is not enough coverage. Last year every time poor Tuffy went out and romped in the snow it stuck in clumps to his body, every where! I had to use warm wet wash cloths and towel dry as much as I could, including using a chamois cloth to soak up the moisture, meanwhile, he was shivering cold, then use the hair dryer on low setting to get him dry and warm. I bought a pair of one piece baby pajamas, and cut the feet opening and the belly and tail area open and put that on him to keep the snow from sticking, which really help reduce the amount I had to get off of him, which really gets to be a drag after five daily outings. I am going to order a very nice dog coat I saw in a catalogue that is warm, waterproof, and has good coverage, but Tuffy is not one for wearing boots, he does not even like his humans to wear socks, he pulls them off us. I am considering using a silicon spray that was advertised for coating your dog's hair to prevent matting.I think it is used on show dogs.I am afraid to try it, what if my dog licks his hair and ingests that stuff? Anyone used it yet?

Dec 04, 2010
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Sweaters
by: Joyce

I have a jacket for JR that I've been putting on in Michigan now that it's in the 30's and 20's. He loves the weather - but I believe he was raised here - we got him from a shelter - the vet says he's between 4 and 5 years young. He also has boots - I haven't had them on yet. No snow so far. Joyce

Dec 04, 2010
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Yes to sweaters!
by: Anonymous

Our Dexter loves the fluffy Minnesota snow. He never minds putting on a sweater or "hoodie" to go out and play. I agree, Cotons can't be out for long, but hopefully the extra warmth of a sweater and boots will allow Maximus to enjoy the outdoors a bit longer. Besides, they look adorable!

Dec 04, 2010
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coat
by: Anonymous

My coton loves the snow. He wants to go outside just to eat and roll in the snow. But he does get very cold. But My coton (Brucy) loves to wear his coat outside, as he does get very cold. When he does not have his coat on he will play in the snow but not for very long. When his coat is on I sometimes have problems getting him in the house. Coats don't really cost much and my Coton loves to dress up and wear shirts and coats. He is such a funny little boy. Hope this helps a little.

Dec 02, 2010
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Cold Cotons
by: Gale

Winters can get brutally cold in your area of the country so a sweater certainly couldn't hurt. We live in Florida and definitely don't have anything like Midwest winters, but even here with the temperatures getting to the 30s and 40s at times, Luc doesn't want to be outside any longer than he has to.

If you're going out just for very short periods just for Maximus to "do his business" he should be just fine, but if you want to go on longer walks a sweater would probably be a great idea. The Cotons are pretty hardy dogs, but little dogs in general do tend to get colder than bigger dogs.

I go to New York almost every winter and I'm always surprised that almost all the dogs - all different breeds - wear sweaters and boots.

How about everyone else - does your cold climate Coton wear sweaters?

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Need advice for walking new puppy in the snow

by Cat

We are getting our new 9 week old pup from the breeder tomorrow. We just had a big snow fall. I want to give him a small walk every day but don't know how to start him out at this age. Will he be cold? How far should I walk him for the first week?

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Dec 31, 2012
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Puppies NEW
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

Sweaters r fine. Mostly a 9 wk old needs a short walk. U always want to be careful the 1st year that they do not walk to far every day that it interfers with their growing bones the Purina website has alot of info on this. Now this does not mean do not let them enjoy & play out side daily since they also get vitamin D from the sun. Congrats on ur puppy.

Dec 29, 2012
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T-U NEW
by: Cat

Thank you iris, that is very helpful!

Dec 29, 2012
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Caution in the snow NEW
by: iris Miller

Some dog notes I've researched:
*dogs can get frost bite on their feet, dogs cannot find a scent on ice and snow so cannot find any way to get home if they get lost.
Dogs can be burned by salts and chemicals used to melt snow,If they step in it it will immediately begin to burn them, their feet need to be thoroughly washed off.
Anti freeze tastes sweet, if a dog finds some on the garage floor or driveway they will lick it and die, it is instant poison.
A Coton is all hair, it does not take long for them to freeze.
A coat or sweater is a good idea and a leash for short walks or romps in the snow.
Please take precautions with your puppy, it is vulnerable, just as a small child would be.
Love and blessings, Tuffy and his mom Iris

Dec 29, 2012
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So far so good NEW
by: Cat

Great! We took him for a shirt walk this am and he was fine but he did shiver a little by the end. He also peed in the snow first thing when he got up! Is a sweater ridiculous? Or would it help?

Dec 28, 2012
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Cotons love snow!
by: Anonymous

I've gotten both my Cotons as puppies in the wintertime, and they love snow! They run around like crazy and would be out there for hours if I'd let them. Unless its bitterly cold outside, the new puppy will be fine as far as being let out in the snow and going for short walks.

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