[SouthernBo]

I've got a question that's probably going to get different responses but here goes how cold is too cold for a lab to be in the water that stays outside this is my first year hunting with him and I'm scared something is going to happen to my hunting buddy he has a 5 mill vest and can get out of the water after every retrieve it will be around 20 degrees in the morning

 

[tater13]

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=49809

there are a few threads about this ... take a look.

 

[i_willie12]

20 Degrees :lol3: :lol3: IT was -3 this morning here. Dogs can take way more than we give them credit for. As long as you Acclimate them to the cold. Dont take your house lab outside the hunt when its 20 degrees yes it will probably kill him. But if i'm hunting my dog is hunting with me. Have never worried about the temp. Keep them out of the wind, get them dry, dont have them standing in water. You will get cold before the dog will. So when you get cold and you get up and start moving around take the dog with you to get his blood a pumping as well. We often run around the decoys spread every 30 or 45 mins when it this cold good for us and the dog.

Last year on a hunt when it was -25.

 

[solway gunner]

-25?thats siberia !some serious self preservation needed there and good pic..i agree totally on acclimatising dogs for the cold,thats the benefit of having a outdoor kenneled dog,they are used to it and their coats secrete natural oil which aids them tremendously.another good tip which helps their overall coat/joints is to give your dog a tablespoon of caster /cod liver oil in with their food daily ,itl make a labs coat shine like car wax and is realy good for them and gives them a bit more protection against the effects of cold water hunting in the long run.

 

[duckmnn]

Don't know the exact water temp besides freezing,but I keep his lane busted up and he keeps getting my ducks.A piece of bacon about every third bird doesn't hurt either :lol3: