“The long guard hairs that form the outer layer of fur protect against snow or ice and can even shed water. Additionally, healthy arctic breeds can stay outside for an indefinite period of time during chilly days as long as they are acclimated. For this reason, they can stay outdoors longer in temperatures below 32✯, usually for 30 minutes to an hour, says Dr. Medium-to-large dog breeds, like the Siberian Husky, Samoyed, Malamute, Newfoundland, and Bernese Mountain Dog, have adapted to extremely cold temperatures because of their thick double coats. While small pups can spend a few hours outdoors in temperatures between 60✯ and 90✯, keep outings in temperatures below 32✯ and above 90✯ to short spans of no more than 10 to 15 minutes, recommends Dr. This applies to small and hairless breeds like the Miniature Poodle, Maltese, Chihuahua, Xoloitzcuintli, and Chinese Crested. Smaller pups can quickly develop hypothermia and frostbite in cold weather, warns Dr. While larger dogs with thick coats may enjoy outdoor romps for longer periods in chilly temperatures, their smaller, single-coated, and hairless counterparts, on the other hand, can spend more time outside on sunny days but not in the cold. Smaller Breeds Have Different Needsĭogs come in all sizes and breeds, which can affect how long it’s safe to leave them outside. Here we explore just how to determine when it’s time to call your pup back inside after a day of outdoor fun. The answer is a little more complicated than you’d expect and varies according to your individual dog’s needs, health, and breed. But you might be wondering how long you can keep your dog outside safely during the day, especially in hot or cold weather.
While dogs love spending time outdoors, it’s best to bring them in before bedtime to spend time with your family. After all, when they’re outside, dogs have an endless supply of interesting smells to track down, squirrels to chase, patches of sunshine to lounge in, and, of course, stinky mud puddles to roll around in. That’s because they know that they’ll be enjoying some fresh air and sunshine in no time.
Dogs get an unmistakable twinkle in their eyes the minute you reach for their leashes or open the back door.