I am a native Floridian recently moved to caribou Maine with my girlfriend and my dog. I am accustomed to the concept of dressing warm because I frequently snowboard in winter. However my dog is the first dog I’ve ever had, he is a plott hound lab mix with a relatively short coat with just a small amount of the waterproofing of a lab. Plott hounds are scent hounds that were essentially bred for big game in the Tennessee area of the US
Being up in Maine and seeing that I am an outdoors Type person, I was wondering if I need to invest in a coat of any type for my dog so he can enjoy the outdoors in winter with me. Also would I need to consider a boot of any sort for him to protect from frostbite in the more extreme cold of the north?

I just googled the climate in Maine, looks like winter lows get down to about 0F/-18C, maybe a bit cooler? That's cold compared to Florida, but that's a really mild winter where I live, lol.

I find that as long as the dogs are active (off leash is best for this), they stay warm, even when it's REALLY cold, we'll go for hikes when it's -13F/-25C, and they do alright. If you're having to keep the dog on leash, they will feel the cold worse, they just can't get their heart rate up the same way. My hiking buddy has a beagle and he does pretty well in the cold as well. Our dogs are 10 and 11 years old now, still very active and in great shape.

As my dog has gotten older she is more sensitive to the cold, her back feet specifically, and I have broken down and got her boots. The boots are a PITA to put on, and don't seem to stay on no matter what. Could just be her fur type (husky/shepherd cross).

The only dogs I see with coats around here are small dogs, or smooth coats like a boxer that don't have much for insulation.

Thank you for the input, from what I hear it can get into the single digit negatives (F) but the wind frequently blows at a constant 15-20 mph. My dogs coat style is similar to that of a boxer with some exposed skin on his belly
I don't have a problem keeping him off leash ( i actually prefer to) but being that i am completely unfamiliar with the winter setting effect on dogs I don't want to injure him or make him miserable

This is what I have for keeping the snow off my Golden boy: https://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/sh...CABEgINqvD_BwE

He loves it, it doesn’t get in the way, and it keeps him much drier than no coat at all.

I'm a Floridian and often visit much colder areas with my 2 Doberman Pinschers. I use mushers wax on their paws for protection but that's it. I tried a couple of different jackets and sweatshirts but they last about 3 seconds before the competition for which one can tear the other ones off is over. They seem fine with the cold but they've never been in that kind of cold for more than a few hours at a time. I'd definitely recommend getting some mushers wax...it will help protect pads from the cold and will keep them better conditioned.

I'm going to try some of that Musher's Secret wax this year, the boots just don't stay on.

Did just see a special on Carhartt dog coats. Just another option to maybe look at.

boots did not work for my dog. he would just stand there and give me a dirty look. I tried them for hikes in rocky conditions. I also tried a backpack for him and that didn't go over well either. I have a lab aussie mix who has been in temps down to -15f and not been even the least bit cold. like mentioned above if they are off leash and can run free they stay warmer. if yours is part lab they are built for cold weather, I would suggest giving it a go for a few trips out and see how he reacts. if he's older and not used to jackets or boots he may not react very well to them. I kind of feel that's something you have to raise them on so they are used to it. I haven't heard of the mushers wax but I have heard Vaseline is good for their paws to keep them from getting frost bitten on ice. if its only snow I wouldn't worry too much about unless he's going to be exposed for several hours.

I've tried a few different kinds and that's what I ended up deciding on. It works quite well and their pads no longer get rough and frayed around the edges...they're little (not so little) divas!

i don't believe it makes any difference. the dogs adapt.

i had a short-haired dalmatian/black lab mix. he was fine, and we were outdoors during all winter conditions (i work outdoors a significant portion of the time). never put a coat or booties on him, either. about 12 winters total for that dog. he never once wanted to stay inside; he always wanted to go out for work, rain, snow or 'shine.

central nh. typically see 5 to 10 days with highs in the teens, and a few with the highs in the single digits.