Dog Breeds Who Can’t Handle Winter

Winters in Canada can be chilly, to say the least. While some dog breeds thrive in cold weather and love frolicking in the snow, others are not cut out for that negative temperature life. Thankfully, if you have a pup that prefers basking in warmer weather, there are a number of warm dog jackets on the market that will help them keep cozy. Here are the pups that you should consider if you live in a colder climate.

What makes a dog equipped for the winter?

For many dogs, their tolerance for cold weather has to do mostly with the length of the fur and body fat ratio. Dogs with short fur or those with not at all and dogs with not enough body fat to keep them warm in freezing temperatures will have a lower tolerance to Canadian winter temperatures. Some of the best dog breeds to consider if you live in Canada are a Newfoundland and Saint Bernard. The size of your dog (surprisingly enough) is not a determining factor for winter warmth as many small dog breeds like Pomsky and Scottish Terrier do well in colder weather.

The most popular dog breeds that can’t handle the winter

The list of the dogs who can’t handle the cold temperature and the snow in the winter is quite long, but some of the most popular breeds are the Bulldog, Boxer, Great Dane, Dalmatian, Chihuahua, Shih Tzu and most hounds' breeds.

Our favorite Doggy Bathroom pups, Liam and Sterling, are among the breeds that do not fare as well with colder temperatures as most hounds tend to be on the leaner side. But that’s why we love to keep our furry friends warm in the chicest puppy parkas. 

The best cold weather breed dogs

It comes as no surprise that some of the best cold weather dogs tend to be the ones found in the mountains or in northern countries. If you're living in a snowy climate, consider adding a Bernese Mountain Dog, German Shepard, Chow Chow, Husky, Shiba Inu or a Beagle to your family.