Managing the cold: protecting your dog during the show

Your dog has a coat, but its protection has limits. Damp, waiting around and having nowhere to warm up can put him in difficulty. A wet dog who stays still deserves particular attention.

Not all dogs are equal in the cold

Small dogs, puppies, seniors and frail dogs are more at risk of hypothermia. A short or thin coat can also make the cold harder to bear.

So don’t rely solely on the thermometer or on the breed. Watch your dog and the conditions in which he is waiting.

Beginner: keeping your dog dry and sheltered

1. Prepare insulating bedding

Bring a mat that is thick enough and a dry blanket. Set your dog up away from open doors, in a permitted area that is protected from draughts.

The right habit: check his comfort at floor level, where he lies down.

2. Use a coat if he needs one

A coat can help a dog who feels the cold during the walk in or the wait. Choose the right size, without restricting his movement or his needs.

The right habit: try it out before the show and adjust how you use it when you move into a heated area.

3. Dry him after a wet outing

Have a towel ready for the paws, belly and coat. Also replace a mat or coat that has got wet.

The right habit: check that he is dry before settling him down again for a long rest.

Intermediate: adapting the waiting and the outings

1. Cut down on waiting outside

Stay in a sheltered spot until the time you need to be out, rather than standing around for long near an outdoor ring.

The right habit: note the schedule and the places you can retreat to as soon as you arrive.

2. Offer relaxed movement

Before your turn, a short walk can prepare your dog for movement. Adapt it to his condition and avoid slippery floors. Don’t try to make up for a cold he is coping badly with by making him run more.

The right habit: choose a safe surface and go back to shelter if your dog seems uncomfortable.

3. Check his paws

After an outing in snow or on a treated surface, inspect the pads and the spaces between the toes. De-icing salt can irritate paws; rinse them if they have been exposed, then dry them.

The right habit: don’t pull off clumps of snow stuck to the fur: melt them gently with lukewarm water.

Advanced: anticipating difficult situations

1. Plan a way to warm him up

Before leaving, check that you will have a dry, sheltered place. A parked car is not a safe resting room: it cools quickly once the heating is off.

The right habit: give up the idea if no facility lets you protect your dog properly.

2. Adapt the programme to his frailty

For an elderly, thin or sick dog, ask the vet for advice before a demanding trip. Allow more margin for outings and rest.

The right habit: cut the day short if his comfort deteriorates, even when another class is planned.

3. Don’t play down shivering

Shivering can have several causes. If it appears in the cold, get your dog to shelter and reassess his condition. Unusual drowsiness, a clumsy gait or weakness calls for an urgent response.

The right habit: don’t take the end of shivering as an improvement: it can stop when hypothermia becomes severe.

Suspected hypothermia: what to do?

Stop taking part and call a vet immediately.

Put your dog in a sheltered, mild place.
Dry him gently if he is wet.
Put dry blankets under him and over him.
Warm the surroundings gradually, without scorching heat or hot objects directly against his skin.
Have him examined, even if he seems to be getting better.

The dog’s comfort comes before coat finishing touches and the ring schedule. A successful show starts with a partner who feels well.