Does this "hardy" breed require a sweater?

[sanford]

I live in the Northeast. This will be my first winter with my adopted senior Cairn. Do I need to get him sweaters/coats? I'll be happy to get him what he needs; can someone tell me how "cold" is cold enough for a sweater? Thanks!

[bradl]

I sincerely doubt a healthy Cairn has any real need for a sweater.

A kilt, sure, but only for ceremonial occasions.

[Eliz222]

Don't forget the Halloween costume! LOL!

Seriously, I have never put a sweater/coat/jacket on any of my dogs. I DID have to buy booties to put on Scout's feet for the 1 or 2 days we have below freezing weather and she either refuses to go outside, or she sits and cries in the snow! Last year I bought some baby socks and some velcro and we ended up using them once or twice. I found some pink boots, on clearance for 8 bucks, at Target and decided to buy them but we are in the 70's still here.

Love these Cairns!

[Scully'sMom]

I live in the Northeast and I had a Cairn previously for 14 years who was perfectly fine in the snow and cold. Of course, she was only out in it for potty breaks and some playtime - not for any really extended length of time.

With Scully (who is 2), I did buy a "snow jacket" for her - but I'm gonna blame all the other moms and dads here who had really neat clothes for their Cairns and I felt out of the fashion loop. Scully really loved it and it made me feel better with her having something warm on in the snowstorms.

[Brody'sMom]

Brody loves his coats. Are they necessary, probably not, but are they cute, YES!

[Darcy's Folks]

Personally, we found we "felt" better putting a water proof jacket on Darcy to go out in the "elements" of Colorado. She's had 2 different fleece jackets (one she grew out of). It just meant she wouldn't be sopping wet all over after coming inside.... just the paws mainly. We're overly protective of our precious little baby.

[sj4iy]

Never have done the sweater thing- did do the bootie thing last winter when he was a puppy b/c the snow hurt the pads of his paws. We'll see how tough they are this year before we try them again, though (he absolutely hates wearing anything at all)

[sanford]

Dear Shoe,

PINK boots? Oh my! Not on this dog.

[kayharley]

I'm in New England and our winters can get quite cold...with a wind chill factor, we've been -25 degrees. I don't usually put sweaters or coats on my crew for the normal "business" outings but when we're having a snowstorm or it's really cold out and they are just begging to go out and play, I will put something on them. I do try and keep the fur on the bottom of their feet trimmed but they still get the little ice balls on their feet and it's quite uncomfortable. I've done the "bootie" thing but let me tell you, it's a major chore!

Typical scenerio.......I get 4 little booties on dog #1 and then proceed to dog #2. I get 3 booties on her when I see dog #1 has chewed one of hers off. Dog #3 is whining big time for his booties so I attempt to put his on and then figure I'll go back to the other two and redo their footwear. Of course I can't find one of the booties that dog #1 pulled off and I look high and low for it. Now dog #3 is missing not only his bootie but half his sweater is gone.

By the time I get all 3 Cairns dressed and ready for play, it's springtime.

[Milopup]

My pup loves his raincoat and fleece jacket, but absolutely refuses to let me put booties on him. Even tried the Musher's Secret, but he just doesn't like his feet to be messed with. Any suggestions - should we just use a warm towel after each walk?

[Guest rottndobie]

I would say it all depends on how thick the coat is. Shadow has a very thin coat and even here in SoCal I do put a coat on him when it gets very cold. With a senior you do need to baby them a bit more IMHO.

[Kathryn]

Here in Minnesota it's common in the winter to have a week or more where the temperature never gets above zero. In the early mornings and evenings, it can be 20 or 30 below. I have never put a coat on Allie, or booties for that matter but -- when it's that cold -- we do make our trips outside quick. Her feet can get really cold on the cement sidewalks in the city, and she'll just stop walking and look up at me. I pick her up, put her inside my parka and head home. I've never heard of a dog getting frostbite, but I think it might be possible to hurt her toes on those cold days.

[CathyAnn]

We have not used winter wear here in Chicago. I did try a sweat jacket a few times with our Toto as she didn't like cold at all, but she hated it. She did look cute, though !!

Cathy

[savannahsmom35]

LOL at Kayharley!!! I can't imagine trying to dress 3!!!!! Especially the booties. Savannah has worn all of the outfits fine and after any hats have been on for a few seconds, she is usually ok with them. But I can't even get one bootie on without her acting like I am trying to murder her. Lucky for us, we probably will not see any snow here.

[newcairn]

I sincerely doubt a healthy Cairn has any real need for a sweater.

A kilt, sure, but only for ceremonial occasions.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

LOL!! Ohhh thats good stuff Bradl...Heee haa!

I personally think Digby would be embarrassed if I put a sweater on him. I usually just let his coat get nice and thick for winter and it is more than sufficient to keep his little buns warm.

[Darcy's Folks]

I broke down and found 1 winter parka looking jacket and 2 sweaters for Darcy today. She is absolutely adorable in them all.

[brin145]

Kayharley's post was hilarious!!!! Crunch has acted insane trying to get a little newsboy cap off his head (bucking like a bronco and snapping towards the sky), so I can't imagine the scene in dressing him further.

[Milopup]

Any suggestions for websites to get nice but inexpensive sweaters or sweatshirts or t-shirts for our pups?? It seems a bit expensive to pay $20 at Petsmart for a tiny polo shirt, and not even that good looking a one.

[Darcy's Folks]

Milopup - I have found Petco has more reasonable prices (and bigger/better selection) AND if you go to one of the larger stores they typcially have sale items too from the previous year. I just picked up a pumpkin colored sweater with a christmas tree on it (very cute) for only $2.98 this week.

[Linda]

Last Nov. my husband & I head down the Chesapeake Bay along the east coast (enroute to the Bahamas) on our sailboat with our two pups. We were outdoors about 12 hrs/day and we were all cold for the first 2 weeks until we got to So. Carolina. So, for those 2 weeks I had fleece jackets for the pups AND tossed a blanket on them. They were VERY happy I did and snuggled right into the warmth. Normally, at home (in Annapolis) I don't outfit them. They romp in the snow happily. PetSmart has some cute stuff at a decent price if you do buy.

[toomanypaws]

We live in Florida and took our three Cairns for their first experience in the snow last Christmas. I went all out and bought all three new sweaters. The only time I really used them was for pictures. My oldest had no problem staying in "hunting mode" even w/ snow. My other two seemed to tolerate sweaters only because I made such a big deal about how cute they were. I do think my youngest Cairn would want a sweater she ever experienced weather really cold. She's quite a baby!

[kayharley]

And while we're on the subject of Cairn clothing....have any of you seen the doggie pajamas? OMG, they are absolutely precious.

[Darcy's Folks]

Doggie pj's??? Oh my goodness! Where have you seen them?

[savannahsmom35]

Savannah in her PJ's.

She was between sizes so we had to get the bigger one. These pictures were taken before I could do the alterations on them so they stayed on her back legs better. I will have to get some new pics since the PJ's fit better now. I got them some place in Panama City Beach, FL when we went there for vacation in Sept. Pet Supermarket maybe?

[Milopup]

My pup loves to sleep all bundled up in his faux fur tunnel bedding, so he would love some PJs. If anyone finds a link please let us know.