Late Winter Gun Dog Care
Late Winter Gun Dog Care
Call me crazy, but I prefer cooler weather over hot weather. Unless I’m at the beach on a winter vacation. Before you start hating on me, I don’t like days where the temps consistently hang below freezing. I definitely don’t like the week-long below-zero cold snap Iowa seems to bring us every winter. You can always put more layers on when it’s cold, but there is a limit on how many layers you can take off when it’s hot.
Here’s the thing: you don’t have to agree with my opinion. However, you probably agree with me that, as gun dog owners, we’re going to chase game in cold temps (because that’s when most of our seasons are open). So, as we plan to stay warm and dry, we need to consider what our dogs need for these conditions too.
Some of our dogs’ needs, or the way we meet their needs, change with weather conditions. Because the weather can change as fast as a light switch turning on (emphasis added), I find trip or season checklists to help me be prepared.
Conditioning
If the first time our dogs work is the cold days we’re hunting, then we’re failing them. It’s even more important that we understand that the best way to prepare our dogs for cold weather starts with conditioning and training. One of the best ways to condition and train our dog for the cold is to do field work in the snow and retrieval work in colder water. When we take these steps, our dogs will be more mentally conditioned for the experiences and their bodies will be more physically prepared to encounter the elements, both from the practical reality. They’ve done this before and they are in shape and the physical reality that their bodies (coats and feet) are acclimated to these conditions.
First Aid
It’s key to always have a first aid kit handy for our dogs, no matter the weather conditions we are hunting in, but we’ll especially be grateful for it in a cold, stressful situation. Along with a good first aid kit, having our vet’s contact info handy or the contact info for an emergency vet, or, if we are traveling, a local vet’s contact info is HUGE.
Diet
When we work and hunt over our dogs, they are burning calories. In the winter, they burn more as their bodies work to produce and conserve heat. One of the best things we can do to help our dogs stay in tip-top shape and ready to both physically work and be in the best position to maintain their body temp is through a good protein diet. When our dogs stay active, especially in the winter months, it is key that we feed them a high protein kibble. They need the protein to maintain both their activity and their body heat when they aren’t active. It also important for us to remember that keeping our dogs hydrated in the winter months is just as key as the summer months. Having a heated dog bowl will help keep the water warm, and encourage them to drink more to keep them hydrated.
Hunting Gear
Whether our dog is busting through snow-covered grass or retrieving in the cold water, they’ll likely appreciate a vest that helps them stay warm and dry. Consider a neoprene vest for the water and a hunting vest for the field. Since the ground is cold and frozen in the winter months, a dog’s feet take the majority of the wear and tear. Consider shin covers, neoprene dog boots, or paw wax/balm to keep their feet/legs conditioned and warm. If you’re waterfowl hunting, consider an elevated platform or bed to keep your dog off the ground and/or out of the water.
Travel
If you don’t have an insulated dog box or your dog doesn’t ride in the cab with you, consider an insulated kennel cover. In the proper conditions, our dogs produce enough heat to stay warm on their own. A kennel cover takes your kennel from a two-star to a five-star hotel. Bring a couple of old towels with you so you can dry your dog off before you load them up at the end of the hunt. This will help them warm up and get comfortable faster.
If you want to get them warm even faster, you could invest in a heated dog mat for your kennel. These warm up quickly and will get your dog comfortable quickly.
Other Considerations
It’s understandable that what might be cold for one dog might not be cold for another. Using the common sense, you have about your dog will help you know not only how to prepare them, but when it’s likely too cold for them. Our dog’s age, breed, and coat density can help us make this decision. Finally, checking in with and monitoring our dog is helpful. We can too easily make the mistake to just “let them hunt” and miss how the elements or conditions are affecting them.
Kyle Dana
For the Issue of the Iowa Sportsman January 2026, check it out below.
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