Dog Community

Recommendations for snow boots please?

Posted : 8/30/2006 11:59:06 AM

My coonhound won't stay outside for more than a few minutes in the winter because he's a pansy and his feet get too cold.

We're getting him a coat and some boots this winter, but I've never used boots before and was hoping somebody might have some suggestions from experience? I've found these two that seem to be pretty decent, has anyone used them?:

[link

arent=253]http://www.seniorpetproducts.com/product/dog-shoes-all-p1405.html?&

arent=253[/link] >http://www.seniorpetproducts.com/product/dog-shoes-all-p1405.html?&

arent=253]http://www.seniorpetproducts.com/product/dog-shoes-all-p1405.html?&

arent=253[/link] -These aren't lined, so may not be very warm...
[linkhttp://www.easysource.com/muttluks/ML-Finfo.htm]http://www.easysource.com/muttluks/ML-Finfo.htm[/link] -These seem warm, but don't look like they would stay on very well..?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Stef w

Posted : 8/30/2006 12:07:54 PM

I got a set of the second ones - the muttluks. I haven't tried them yet. A friend just gave them to me two weeks ago. I had a friend's that I borrowed last year but they wouldn't stay on - but they were a different brand. These ones seem to be a little bigger and go up a little higher. I may put a second velcro strap on them. I have the yellow.

They're soft on the inside and lined. They look like they should grip okay on snow and ice. They look well constructed and I like the reflective tape.

I made my dobie a jacket last year because he froze every time we went for a walk. I'd like to buy one of these: [linkhttp://www.chillydogs.ca/Chillygreat.htm]http://www.chillydogs.ca/Chillygreat.htm[/link] They're beautiful ... I just have to save my pennies.

Rachel Pribble

Posted : 8/30/2006 12:29:45 PM

Wow, those coats are beautiful! Nicely made, too... Expensive, but seem like they're well worth the money. I've been surfing all over the net for the past few days and hadn't even seen those. As for the muttluks, I was wondering if they would come flying off when he was playing. They don't seem like they would be too hard to add a second strip of velcro though. Thank you for all your help!

Stef w

Posted : 8/30/2006 12:42:54 PM

I tell ya what - I'll put them on him today and let him run loose in the yard - I'll time how long it takes him to throw them off...

Give me a bit and I'll get back to you.

Those coats are gorgeous. Plus they're Canadian! (Which is always nice for shipping for me - no getting caught at the border!!)

Stef w

Posted : 8/30/2006 1:04:45 PM

Okay - I lost the 1st boot at 1 minute. The second boot at 10 minutes. (Both back feet - apparently I didn't have them on properly.) The front boots held up well until almost 18 minutes. I'm not sure if they're the right size - I think they still might be a little small - but the reflective tape is easily seen even in the daytime.

I had one unimpressed doberman though... He looked positively pathetic.

SheltieGirl

Posted : 8/30/2006 5:14:29 PM

I've used boots before on Casey. She HATES them. She prances around and tries to kick them off. Even when she does forget about them, they usually fall of in the snow no matter what...

I just got the kinda at PetSmart or PetCo though.

Good luck! [

]

dawn

Posted : 8/30/2006 5:37:59 PM

I work in a store that sells snow boots - from customer feedback it seems as though the Ruff Wear brand booties are much more durable and also stay on longer than the muttluks.

Rachel Pribble

Posted : 8/30/2006 7:58:13 PM

Thank you for testing them for me! Was he thoroughly disgusted with them? [

] Hehe, they don't sound very convincing. I guess it's worth a try though, I've heard of some people using suspenders to keep snow boots on..? I'll have to look into the Ruff Wear brand, I don't think I've heard of them. Thanks again for the recommendation for the Chilly Dogs coats Stef, I think I'm going to try ordering one already!

Stef w

Posted : 8/30/2006 8:40:03 PM

No problem! It was pretty funny - at first he was picking his feet up really high and wasn't sure about putting them back down. *laughing* Then he settled down - but the "slapping" sound on the grass was wierd!

I'm going to try them again - I'll put them on tighter. I think I may not have had them tight enough.

They must work - the people who race sled dogs and a lot of gun dogs wear them - there must be some way of keeping them on....

Let me know about the jacket - I think I may have to ask for an early x-mas present ... I had forgotten about them since it's been so beautiful out - but winter is on it's way...[&:]

tacran

Posted : 8/31/2006 12:32:11 AM

We used MuttLuks for our dog the year we lived in New England (one of the snowiest on record -- over 90" that winter). Although they sometimes "spun" upside down once he really started walking fast, they didn't fall off. He didn't like them on in the house, but as soon as we got outside, he'd forget about them and really trot along at a fast pace, despite snow, ice, salt & sand. It helped his feet tremendously - no more splits and cuts. They did wear out eventually - he was a big dog, and at 2 walks a day in those conditions, they weren't indestructible!

Vivian

Posted : 8/31/2006 11:16:46 AM

April always wears boots in winter so the snow doesn't hang onto her hair. The only boots that ever fit are those soft ones that are made for show dog to keep their feet clean. Here is a picture of her in those boots.

mudpuppy

Posted : 8/31/2006 11:47:18 AM

I use the Ruffwear boots, but I don't think they "keep the feet warm". I put them on to prevent the feet from getting torn up and cracked by ice and snow and the salt. Your coonhound may like a nice coat-- I recommend the Ruffwear coats as well. Very warm, light-weight, easy to put on and take off, and very tough.

Rachel Pribble

Posted : 8/31/2006 4:38:58 PM

I think we'll try a coat and boots, and also a muffler for his ears..! [

] He's such a baby, I couldn't imagine him chasing a big scary coon in the scary dark. He does like his air conditioner and heater... He even has his own pillow on the bed. Hehe. Thanks for all the help guys, I feel like I know a little more now..! I'll post pictures if you want to see when we get his snowgear.