This article was taken from the Internet and written about greyhounds but all the information also relates to galgos, the Spanish Greyhound.
So why do greyhounds feel the cold more? This is often due to their lean body structure and short coat. Unlike other breeds with nice thick coats or an extra layer of fat, greyhounds have a slim build and a thin coat that doesn’t provide much insulation. This makes them more susceptible to feeling the chill when the temperature drops.
Greyhounds also have a low-fat percentage. This means they lack insulation as they don’t have that extra body fat to keep them warm. This also means they lose the heat faster and feel the cold much more intensely.
A fun fact about why greyhounds might not be a big fan of the cold is that they originated and were originally bred in much warmer climates. Greyhounds and other sighthounds have a long history of being used for hunting and racing in Egypt and the Mediterranean, where the weather tends to be a lot warmer!
To keep your greyhound warm there are things you can do inside and outside the home to help them.
Inside the house, you can:
• Provide nice cosy bedding. Make sure your greyhound has a comfortable bed with extra blankets. This will help keep them cosy whilst relaxing indoors.
• Use draft stoppers. Greyhounds can be sensitive to drafts so using draft stoppers to seal any gaps under doors or windows can prevent cold air from entering the home.
• Keep the temperature within your home regulated. Maintain a comfortable temperature inside so the dog is comfortable.
• Add some pyjamas or a fleece for an extra layer. Luckily most greyhounds love being dressed so adding another layer can just help keep them warm.
Outside the house, you can:
• Make sure they wear thick winter or snood coats. This extra layer can help trap their body heat and keep them nice and snug! Plus they will look very stylish.
• Limit their exposure to extreme cold. Try to limit their time outside in the extremely cold weather. Take them on shorter walks and watch them to make sure they aren’t getting too cold.
• You can also protect their paws if they really struggle in the cold. They can have some stylish dog booties or paw wax to protect their paws from the ice and cold.
• Plan their walks during warmer times of the day when able to. Mid-morning or early afternoon are usually the warmer parts of the day so when it’s extremely cold walking at these times will benefit the greyhounds.
• If you don’t have a snood on your coat you can always buy your greyhound a snood to protect their ears and neck from the cold.
Make sure you keep your greyhound hydrated even in the cold weather. Cold weather can be dehydrating so making sure they have access to fresh water at all times like you would when it’s warmer is key.
Also, keep an eye out for signs that your greyhound is cold or in discomfort from the cold.
Here are some signs that your greyhound may be feeling the cold:
• They may be shivering. Like humans, dogs shiver when they become cold. If they are shivering it’s a sign they need to warm up and get some extra layers on.
• They might be actively seeking warmth within the home. They might constantly be looking for spots to cuddle into or try to snuggle by heat sources when they feel chilly.
• They may curl up into a little ball. Let’s be honest greyhounds LOVE to stretch out, but if they are in a tight ball it’s likely they are conserving body heat.
• Your greyhound may lift their paws. When the ground is too cold your greyhound may lift up their paws or hesitate to walk. This could be a sign their paws are feeling uncomfortable from the cold temperature.
• Their movements may slow down. If your greyhound seems sluggish or is moving slower than usual it could be a sign that the cold weather is affecting their energy levels.
Remember each greyhound is unique and some of these behaviours above may be common to them as an individual. If you do notice any of these signs and they are not normal for your greyhound then make sure to warm your greyhound up.
(If you read my bio you will know that I had my first greyhound back in 1994 when people didn’t adopt them. There were no warm coats for dogs. So a friend and I designed an outdoor coat for Molly. It was shaped especially for her skeleton to cover her muscular hind quarters. Wax was the preferred material, lined with faux sheepskin. Cross-over belly straps – idea from our horse outdoor rugs. This design was especially good for male dogs as the coat didn’t move when it peed. 30 years on there are many different designs to choose from.)