While Springer spaniels have been bred to be hardy dogs, being able to withstand difficult conditions outdoors than most breeds, they can still get cold if they are stationary for too long and the temperature is low enough.
Yes, it’s true, they do have double coats, which in theory should protect them in wet and cold conditions, but this doesn’t mean that they’re immune to freezing temperatures.
How Cold Is Too Cold For Springer Spaniels?
Many dog owners don’t have the luxury of allowing their Springer’s to stay indoors while they go out to work, and this can be a potentially big problem during winter.
So, the question is, what temperature would be bearable for your Springer spaniel to be comfortable in while she has to stay outdoors waiting for you to come back home?
If you’re looking at temperatures around 53°F / 12°C, this shouldn’t be a problem for your Springer spaniel, as her double coat should provide enough insulation to withstand these temperatures for long periods.
However, if the temperature is close to 50°F / 10°C and lower, then you are putting your dog at risk if she stays outdoors for a prolonged time without any way to insulate herself from the cold weather outside.
And this is the other issue: how long will your dog have to stay outside in the cold?
If the temperature is anywhere around 50°F to 32°F / 10°C to 0°C and she is simply going outside to relieve herself, then she is most likely safe as well. But if you’re looking at much longer times, such as a few hours, then you looking for trouble.
Is It Windy and Rainy Outside?
You need to factor in wind-chill. Even at 53°F / 12°C, a cold windy day can feel much colder, and this can have a serious impact on your Springer spaniel’s ability to stay warm under her insulated double coat.
Add rain into the mix and you’ve got a big problem, because if there is no way for your Springer to shelter herself from these wet conditions, the water will finally make its way through her double layered coat, and this in turn will make it colder for your pooch.
If you’re looking at temperatures of around 20°F / -6°C, it doesn’t matter what type of dog you have, you should be very careful. At this point, I would definitely not advise leaving your dog out without any supervision while you’re at work.
Do You Have A Dog Shelter?
A great way to combat the cold weather outdoors is by providing a dog shelter for your Springer spaniel. This can make a big difference in her quality of life outdoors because these dog houses can provide excellent insulation against wind and rain.
However, don’t completely rely on dog shelters if the temperature is too low. Like any other warm-blooded animal, the longer you stay outside, even in a shelter with no heating system, that wind is finally going to bring down the temperature inside the shelter. This in turn will negatively impact your Springer spaniel.
So, when providing shelter for your dog, ask yourself how long she will need to be outside during the day while you’re at work, and factor in this information when purchasing or building the right doghouse for your Springer.
Some dog owners take it one step further by putting in a 100W light bulb and making sure that the doghouse is completely insulated against the cold and wet conditions, and filled with a comfortable warm dog bed to provide extra warmth.
If you were to do the same, be careful in how you install the light bulb. Make sure that it is completely safe for your dog and that there is no way that the lightbulb can cause a fire or any other dangerous hazard.
In my opinion, get an expert to install it and make sure that it is completely safe for your pooch.
One tip that could give you peace of mind is to leave a thermometer inside your doghouse on any random cold, windy and rainy day so that you can get an idea of what temperatures your Springer spaniel will be facing before you decide to actually let her use it.
Also, think about the placement of your dog shelter. Try to place it in an area within your property that has other protective barriers such as walls to help block the wind.
This in turn will provide a double layer of protection against the wind, which is namely the wall of your house and the wall of your dog house.
How Active Is Your Springer Spaniel In The Cold Weather?
This is one consideration that many dog owners forget. Choose a cold windy day with temperatures of around 53°F, then go outside and stand or sit stationary in the cold for an hour, but only wearing a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and light sweater. Ask yourself how cold you feel.
Now, to get a good comparison, choose another day with the same conditions and wearing the same clothes, but this time, instead of staying stationary, go outside and run around, only resting a few minutes here and there for an hour.
Which out of these two cold days were the most bearable for you?
Now, put your dog in the same position and ask the same question. I’m sure you will come up with the same answer.
If you’re going to leave your dog outside in the cold, you need to give her enough room to run around, but keep in mind that she might not even want to do this if the environment is not set up correctly.
For example, if you’re going to leave your Springer spaniel in an area so small that she can only walk a little and maybe do her business and nothing more, then she won’t be as active as she should to keep warm.
In addition, if there is nothing outdoors to motivate her to run around, then she will most likely be stationary as well.
So, if you are going to leave your dog outside in the cold when you’re away at work, you might want to look into hiring a dog sitter or dog walker to come in on a daily basis during those times you’re away.
That way, they can check in on your Springer to make sure she’s comfortable and okay, and they can also take her out for walks or simply get her to run around so that she can keep warm.
How To Know If Your Springer Spaniel Is Cold
If your Springer is shivering, this is a clear sign that she’s too cold; unless she is shivering because she is afraid of something.
Springer spaniels, like most other dogs, will also begin to slow down and act in an anxious manner. So, pay close attention to these behaviors, especially when you’re looking at very cold conditions.
Conclusion
Deciding how coldest too cold for a Springer spaniel might seem easy at first glance, but when you consider all of these factors, you will quickly realize that every dog has to be treated differently.
This could be because of the environment your Springer is living in, her own personal preference compared to other dogs, and whether she has the means of being active.
In my opinion, the only way to make sure that your dog is not too cold when outdoors is by using your common sense. Don’t simply rely on the fact that your Springer spaniel has a double coat to protect her from the cold weather.
Remember, your Springer spaniel is warm-blooded just like you are. No matter how many layers of coats your pooch has, if she stays too long in the cold and never has any opportunity to get some warmth, 53°F / 12°C will begin to feel much colder, and from this point onwards, things can only go south.