Snowshoeing with dogs?

I don't have any advice really. I'll bet they will love romping in the snow, though. My mom loves to snowshoe and she takes her two Norwegian Elkhounds with her every winter. They've got heavy coats, so the only thing I can think of that you would need to worry about is keeping your dogs warm.

most dogs handle the snow really well, as far as traveling through it. a great way to expend energy! I also would be concerned, because of your specific breeds, about getting chilly. as you obviousy are aware neither of those breeds have particularly thick coats. where do you live? If it is just typical winter weather like 0 to 30 degrees fahrenheit they should be fine. If it is in the minus 10s or 20s that is when you may either want to stay in or you can get your dogs practical, durable coats for example from Ruff Wear. Also, after trying it once or twice you may want to evaluate your dogs' feet and see if you notice them getting too cold, or torn up from the snow and ice. then consider whether or not they will need booties. have fun! if you go take pictures!

I took my ridgeback snowshoeing last winter - it was so much fun! We didn't go in extremely deep snow, the most it went up to was the middle of his legs.  I didn't use a coat or booties - he was naked.  But I did keep an eye on him the whole time, w/ special attention to his paws. By the end of our jaunt (about 1.5-2 hours) he was shivering a little bit when we were standing still for a long period of time, but as long as we were moving he was fine. He didn't have any buildup of ice or snow, or else I would have stopped and put booties on him.  I also had him on a long (20 ft or so) lead just b/c I don't trust him off lead.
 
It really wore him out! It's great exercise for both of you, and it's great fun when they get a whiff of something deep in the snow and go at it! I have a pic of us while we were out, I'll have to dig around for it and post it.

I live in PA. I know my ridgebacks love the winter, but Ami is the shortest dog I've ever had (Ambull/Pit) so I'm not sure how she'll do. I got some great advice on my country living message board that I should go out the first few times without the dog and figure stuff out.  BTW Catherine, definitely on lead! I have a 25ft tape, but it's old and the quality of it worries me so I might get another.

Paula

It's really easy - you just strap on the snowshoes and go. Your gait is a bit wider but that's about it.  One warning:  since you move slower than when hiking/walking your dogs might think you are extremely slow if you are in snow that's not very deep and they will look at you like "hurry up"! At least mine did anyway. It's more fun in the deeper snow where they have to work a bit more

I ADORE snowshoeing. Molly likes it too but it's hard keeping the snowshoes on her [8D]

I would start the dogs off with short trips to build up their stamina. Remembering that while you are finding walking easier with the snowshoes they have to use a lot of energy to get through the deep snow - if you have deep snow. We only got to go 2x last year due to lack of snow in NH. Snowshoeing with no snow isn't much fun - snowshoeing on ice is even less fun.
The advantage of snowshoeing is you can go just about anywhere off trails, on trails. We prefer to bushwhack so we don't have to deal with crazies on snowmobiles.
We have a spot we go that was probably an apple orchard 100 years ago and we love packing down a trail cause next time we go we can see where animals are using our trail.
Your hips will get sore the first few times you go out due to the wide walking but you'll get used to that.
It's really fun.