Hunting in the snow

[murdock54]

For those who hunt with dogs in the snow, what are some precautions I should take or problems I should look for? Has anyone had any experiences with hunting dogs in the snow that I can learn from? We haven’t been out hunting in the snow yet and we are heading to SW MN this weekend so we will be out in it all day. Are boots a good investment? I just don’t want to get down there and have my boy get hurt and be out of commission. Any insight will be appreciated.

murdock

[Mayfly]

The only issue I have really had was with early ice in the cattails. My dog cut her foot on some broken ice. Besides that we just hunt like we normally do. After her cut was healed I tried those dog boots trying to protect the healed cut from reopening but that did not work. She bit them right off and pulled at them and got rid of them. When I finally secured them on again the way she walked was the goofiest thing I had ever seen. I then took the boots off had a good laugh and returned them. No hunting dog of mine is wearing booties Since then 4 years....haven't  had an issue.

[Merimac]

Ice is the biggest problem it is really rough on their feet.  I would be aware of that. If you have snow you will know right away.  Good Luck.

Merimac

[Joe]

The only issue I've ever had in the snow is ice balls forming/freezing to my dogs fur on the underside of her paws. She'll have to stop from time to time and chew them off, which has caused her paws to bleed some, but I think it's more annoying for her than anything else.
 

[thunderpout]

My first setter Duke, tore off a claw on snow/ice, & it ended the year for him... tried the boots, he'd loose em or would take em off.  if I taped em on, the tape by the end of the day would be really tough to remove with his longer fur.... but try to get em used to boots at a younger age,  they are a good idea.  The one thing I think people forget when bird hunting with a dog in the winter, is... just because its cold, and there's snow everywhere, ya need to have water for em to drink!!!  True..in the heat, they need water to cool down, as they dont sweat like humans.  But they need as much water for hydration in the winter as in the summer, just as humans do!              -thunderpout

[Merimac]

My first setter Duke, tore off a claw on snow/ice, & it ended the year for him... tried the boots, he'd loose em or would take em off.  if I taped em on, the tape by the end of the day would be really tough to remove with his longer fur.... but try to get em used to boots at a younger age,  they are a good idea.  The one thing I think people forget when bird hunting with a dog in the winter, is... just because its cold, and there's snow everywhere, ya need to have water for em to drink!!!  True..in the heat, they need water to cool down, as they dont sweat like humans.  But they need as much water for hydration in the winter as in the summer, just as humans do!              -thunderpout

Good post

[The General]

I also have never used the booties.  But I know my dog could sure use something for his sack.  Buy the end of the day that thing is really looking sore.  Last sunday I noticed he was hunting with his stub of a tail pointing between his legs.  When we got back to the truck I took a look and he was bleeding on his sack.  I'm not sure if he cut it in the catails or on a branch or something.  But I looked at my dad and we both said ouch at the same time.

[Benny]

If you have a female, or a dog with little hair on thier belly, use a vest of some kind to keep them from freezing thier teats or belly.

My female lab got frost bit on two nipples last year, vet said she would be fine but it sure didn't look to pleasant for the dog.

I have a couple different vests now, one neopreane and a couple skid plate style vests.

Benny

[guythathunts]

Murdock54. Try useing blue foot for the pads (it makes them tuff as nails) and some sort of wax for the fur betweent the toes. Also trim the hair that sticks out under the foot, it will prevent ice balls from forming. Ask friends with dogs like yours, they are the best resourse there is.