The snow and ice of winter can make life miserable, especially when you have to go outside. It?s been proven that dogs, even though they have a natural fur coat, can be subject to frost bite and hypothermia if they stay out too long without clothes for protection. The best way to winterize your canine and get him ready for cold walks is to get him some dog boots and a dog coat. Booties and coats serve many important functions, the most obvious of which is to keep a pooch warm when the temperature drops too low and to keep your dog dry.

Imagine how cold your feet would get if you walked barefoot on the sidewalk in winter. A dog?s paw is not that different, and this is even truer for the small breeds, like Chihuahuas and Miniature Pinschers. A sturdy pair of dog shoes will also keep paws from touching rock salt or melting chemicals on the pavement. Salt will often cause doggie feet to crack which is very painful. A good quality coat will also serve to keep your canine dry as well as snug. Being wet and cold is the only thing worse than being cold, and dogs are much more difficult to dry off than humans. This is why keeping them dry while out on a walk is so important, and a hound jacket can easily accomplish this. Many coats also come with hoods to keep your furry baby?s head dry as well. Each dog needs at least one pair of boots to get them through a cold season. Coats should last at least two winters, but since this particular piece of clothing gets peed on a lot, it may wear out from all the washing. My advice is to shop now while things are cheap and stock up so that your furry best friend is well covered.