[Maya's Mom]

When I was a little kid growing up in Maine, we had a lab that would swim in the ocean year round. She loved the water and the cold never seemed to bother her. On the other hand I was a little kid, so I may not have noticed any signs of cold. Is it okay to let goldens swim in the winter if they want to? My puppy (7 months) loves the water and I could see her wanting to swim in spite of the temperature. So far she has gone swimming when it was in the 40s with no sign of being cold. She doesn't have her full adult coat yet, so I don't know what that means in terms of her ability to stay warm. I think I remember reading that with the adult coat, the skin doesn't even get wet! Is that true for pups? What do you think is an appropriate temperature below which a golden shouldn't swim? Or do you just let the dog decide?

 

[Abbydabbydo]

Mine alwayys want to swim. If it is too cold, they come out and shake and don't go in again. If it is frozen, I don't let them on the river, too afraid of soft spots.

 

[Oaklys Dad]

My two Mainer goldens swim year round in the ocean. I let them decide in the winter and don't entice them by throwing sticks. I do watch them for shivering and head for the truck at the first sign. Usually they come charging out of the water and straight for a snow bank to roll in.

 

[Faith's mommy]

i don't keep her out of the water - she pretty much self regulates. but, i do watch her like a hawk once the lake starts freezing a bit - no falling through allowed.

 

[msdogs1976]

Certainly not to cold in MS, although cooler here. Here is a pic from today's water adventurer with my newly adopted lab.