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šŸ”„ Some Dogs Are Built for Snow—Others REALLY Need Your Help. Which One Do You Have?

Updated: Feb 12

Bowie (husky/malamute/English mastiff mix), his night, hike, pack mates Sully (coonhound Staffordshire terrier mix) & Callie (mini blue heeler and Bichon mix)

🐾 Huskies vs. Short-Haired Breeds in Winter:


5 Key Differences & How to Keep Them Thriving in the Cold ā„ļø


If you’ve ever watched a Husky roll in the snow like it’s a warm summer day, while your short-haired dog shivers and refuses to move, you already know—not all dogs experience winter the same way!

As a dog parent to both a Husky/Malamute mix (Bowie) and a short-haired Coonhound mix (Sully),Ā I see firsthand how different their cold-weather needs are.Ā They bothĀ love off-leash winter adventures, but the way I prepare and care for each of them is completely different.

Here are 5 key scientific differencesĀ between cold-resistant Northern breedsĀ and cold-sensitive short-haired dogs, and how we can modify our care so they both stay active, safe, and happy in the snow.


ā„ļø 1. Coat & Insulation: The Built-In Winter Jacket vs. The Barely-There Layer

🐺 Northern Breeds (Huskies, Malamutes, Samoyeds, Newfoundlands, etc.)

āœ… Thick double coat – A dense undercoat traps warm air, while a longer outer layer repels snow & moisture.

āœ… Sheds water & ice – Their coat stays dry and warm, even in freezing temperatures.

āœ… Seasonal adaptation – They bulk up their fur in winterĀ and shed it in warmer months.


šŸ• Short-Haired Breeds (Pit Bulls, Greyhounds, Boxers, Dobermans, etc.)

āŒ Little to no insulation – A single-layer coat provides zero cold protection.

āŒ Absorbs moisture easily – Snow and rain soak their fur fast, making them colder quicker.

āŒ No seasonal adjustment – Their coat stays thin year-round, making winter extra tough.

šŸ’” How to Modify Care:🐾 Northern breeds need coat maintenance, not extra layers.Ā Regular brushing prevents matting, which reduces their coat’s insulation abilities.🐾 Short-haired breeds need winter gear.Ā A thermal coat or insulated sweaterĀ keeps them warm during outdoor activities.


🐾 2. Paws & Winter Traction: Built for Ice vs. Prone to Frostbite

🐺 Northern Breeds

āœ… Countercurrent heat exchange system – Their paws stay warm naturallyĀ because warm blood circulates down to the paws while cooler blood returns to the body.

āœ… Thick, fur-covered paw pads – Provides natural insulationĀ from ice & snow.

āœ… Strong grip & webbed toes – Designed to run on ice and snowĀ without slipping.


šŸ• Short-Haired Breeds

āŒ No built-in warmth – Their paws lose heat fast, increasing frostbite riskĀ in extreme cold.

āŒ Smoother pads = less traction – They slip more on ice, which can lead to muscle strain.

āŒ More sensitive to de-icers & salt – Chemical de-icers burn their paw padsĀ easily.

šŸ’” How to Modify Care:🐾 Northern breeds rarely need booties, but checking for ice buildup between toesĀ after a long run is smart.🐾 Short-haired breeds benefit from bootiesĀ to protect from frostbite, salt burns, and slipping injuries.


šŸ”„ 3. Cold Tolerance: Thriving vs. Surviving in Freezing Temps

🐺 Northern Breeds

āœ… Cold-tolerant down to -50°F (-45°C) – Huskies and Malamutes are built for extreme coldĀ and may even overheat at just 0°C (32°F).

āœ… Active metabolism burns heat efficiently – They naturally stay warm while running.

āœ… Overheating is a bigger concernĀ than the cold.


šŸ• Short-Haired Breeds

āŒ Struggle below 40°F (4°C) – Many need layers and limited outdoor exposureĀ at these temps.

āŒ Lose body heat fastĀ due to their lean build.

āŒ Cold weather burns more calories, making them tire faster.


šŸ’” How to Modify Care:🐾 Northern breeds need cool-down breaks, even in winter! Let them roll in the snow after high-energy play.🐾 Short-haired breeds need shorter, frequent outingsĀ instead of one long session to prevent chilling.


šŸƒā€ā™‚ļø 4. Running & Endurance: Distance Racers vs. Short Bursts of Energy

🐺 Northern Breeds

āœ… Bred for endurance – They can run for miles in the snowĀ without tiring.

āœ… Built for pulling & weight resistance – Harness work and sled pullingĀ keep them happy.āœ… Muscle stamina > speed bursts.


šŸ• Short-Haired Breeds

āŒ Sprinters, not distance runners – They burn energy fastĀ but fatigue quickerĀ in the cold.āŒ Cold = tense muscles – More prone to strains and stiffnessĀ in winter.

āŒ Thin build = high wind resistance – Strong winds exhaust them faster.


šŸ’” How to Modify Care:🐾 Northern breeds thrive on endurance runs.Ā Keep them moving for longer distances at a steady pace.🐾 Short-haired dogs benefit from interval training—short bursts of activity followed by warm-up breaks.


🦓 5. Muscle & Joint Health: Cold-Resistant vs. Prone to Stiffness

🐺 Northern Breeds

āœ… Thicker muscles = better heat retention

āœ… Less prone to arthritis flares in winter

āœ… Cold strengthens their natural muscle endurance


šŸ• Short-Haired Breeds

āŒ Less muscle insulation = higher injury risk

āŒ Cold exacerbates joint pain & stiffness

āŒ More prone to post-exercise soreness in winter



šŸ’” How to Modify Care:🐾 All dogs benefit from pre-walk warm-upsĀ like gentle massage and range-of-motion exercisesĀ before heading out.🐾 Short-haired breeds benefit from infrared therapy or light post-walk stretchingĀ to prevent stiffness. Warm up a towel and wrap their limbs in the warmth both prior and after the walk.


🐾 The Bottom Line? Modify, Don’t Limit Their Winter Adventures!

šŸ• Both Northern breeds and short-haired breeds can thrive in winter—as long as we adjust our care to fit their biological differences.

āœ” Huskies & Malamutes need proper coat maintenance, hydration, and endurance activities.āœ” Short-haired breeds need extra warmth, shorter but effective exercise, and post-walk recovery.

A little preparation goes a long way in keeping every dog happy, active, and injury-free this winter!

🐾 Want to learn more about keeping your dog moving safely all year round? Book a session with Soul Paws today! www.soulpawsmassage.com



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