Dog Breeds That Feel the Cold Most (and How to Keep Them Warm)

Some dogs bound out into a frost and don't notice it. Others start shivering the moment the temperature drops, lift their paws off the cold pavement and beg to come back in. That difference is mostly down to breed — specifically coat type, body size, build and face shape. If your dog is one of the cold-sensitive types, a bit of planning makes winter far more comfortable.

Here's which UK breeds feel the cold most, the science behind why, and exactly how to keep them warm without fussing over dogs that don't need it.

Why some dogs feel the cold and others don't

Four things decide how well a dog copes with cold, and most sensitive breeds tick more than one box.

• Coat type. Double-coated breeds (huskies, malamutes, German shepherds) have a dense insulating undercoat that traps warm air. Single-coated breeds have no undercoat at all, so they lose heat quickly. A thin, short single coat is the biggest single risk factor.
• Body size. Small dogs have a large surface area relative to their body mass, so they shed heat faster. They're also closer to cold, wet ground. The Vets Now winter guide flags small dogs, puppies and elderly dogs as the groups most likely to struggle.
• Body fat and build. Lean, athletic breeds like sighthounds carry very little insulating fat. A greyhound is essentially skin, muscle and bone under a whisper-thin coat.
• Face shape. Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds such as French bulldogs and pugs can find it harder to warm the air they breathe, and cold air can aggravate their already-restricted airways.

Age and health matter too. Puppies can't regulate their temperature well, older dogs feel the cold more, and the PDSA notes that cold weather can worsen arthritis and joint stiffness, which affects how willing an older dog is to move on icy ground.

The dog breeds most sensitive to cold

These are the breeds UK owners most often find need extra help in winter, grouped by the reason they feel it.

Thin-coated sighthounds

• Greyhound — lean, single thin coat, almost no body fat. Retired racing greyhounds are common in UK homes and famously hate the cold.
• Whippet — the same build in miniature, and often even more sensitive.
• Italian greyhound — tiny, fine-boned and thin-skinned; one of the least cold-tolerant breeds there is.

Small and toy breeds

• Chihuahua — small body, low mass and (in the smooth variety) a very thin coat. Notorious shiverers.
• Miniature pinscher and toy terriers — small, fine coats, little insulation.
• Yorkshire terrier — a single silky coat with no woolly undercoat.
• Miniature schnauzer — a wiry coat that's often clipped short, leaving little protection in winter.

Flat-faced breeds

• French bulldog, pug and Boston terrier — short single coats plus brachycephalic airways, a double disadvantage in cold, damp weather.
• Boxer — larger, but short-coated, lean and flat-faced.

Large but thin-coated breeds

Size alone doesn't keep a dog warm. Several big breeds feel the cold because their coats are short and fine:

• Dobermann — sleek, single, short coat and a lean build.
• Dalmatian — short coat, minimal undercoat.
• Weimaraner and vizsla — athletic gun dogs with fine short coats.
• Great Dane — huge, but short-coated and not built for standing around in the cold.

Hairless and near-hairless breeds

• Chinese crested and Xoloitzcuintle — for obvious reasons, these need protection any time it's cool.

A quick rule of thumb: if you can see the shape of the muscle through the coat, or the dog is small enough to sit in your lap, assume it will feel the cold and plan accordingly.

Puppies, seniors and poorly dogs feel it more

Breed is only half the story. Whatever the coat, a young puppy hasn't developed proper temperature control yet, so it chills far faster than an adult of the same breed. At the other end, older dogs lose condition and often carry less muscle, and a dog recovering from illness or surgery has fewer reserves to spare on staying warm. A double-coated senior with arthritis can end up needing as much winter care as a young greyhound. Judge the dog in front of you, not just the breed on paper.

At what temperature do these dogs need help?

There's no single magic number, but the Vets Now guidance gives a sensible UK framework based on size and coat:

| Temperature | Cold-sensitive dogs (small, thin-coated, lean, flat-faced) | |---|---| | 7°C and below | Many will want a coat; watch small and thin-coated dogs | | 1°C to -4°C | Potentially unsafe — keep walks short, use a coat | | -4°C to -9°C | Can be life-threatening for small dogs, especially if wet | | Below -9°C | Toilet breaks only for vulnerable dogs; avoid long walks |

Wet and windy makes everything worse. A damp coat loses its insulating value fast, and wind strips away the warm layer of air next to the skin, so a breezy 4°C can feel far colder than a still, dry 0°C. The RSPCA suggests keeping indoor temperatures between 10°C and 25°C so susceptible dogs stay comfortable at home too.

Signs your dog is too cold

Dogs can't tell you they're freezing, so watch the body language. Early signs a walk needs to end:

• Shivering or trembling
• Lifting or holding up paws
• Tucking the tail and hunching the body
• Whining, slowing down or stopping
• Reluctance to carry on, or trying to turn for home

More serious signs of hypothermia — which the RSPCA lists as drowsiness, pale gums, loss of coordination and collapse — mean you should warm your dog gradually and ring a vet straight away. Don't use direct heat like a hairdryer or radiator; wrap them in blankets and warm slowly.

How to keep a cold-sensitive dog warm

Get the coat right

A winter coat isn't a fashion statement for these breeds — it's practical insulation. The trick is fit. A coat that's too loose lets cold air in and can rub; too tight and it restricts movement.

How to measure for a dog coat: 1. Length — measure along the spine from the base of the neck (where a collar sits) to the base of the tail. This is the number most sizing charts use. 2. Chest/girth — measure around the widest part of the chest, just behind the front legs. 3. Neck — measure around the base of the neck.

For deep-chested sighthounds, look for coats cut specifically for the breed, as standard rectangular coats gape at the chest. Waterproof, fleece-lined coats give the most warmth for British drizzle. A good coat should cover from the neck to the base of the tail and wrap around the belly on the most sensitive dogs.

Protect the paws

Rock salt and grit irritate paws and are toxic if licked off. The PDSA recommends washing paws after walks and keeping the hair between the pads trimmed so ice balls don't form. Boots help thin-skinned dogs on gritted pavements and frozen ground, though many dogs need a few practice sessions indoors to accept them. Our guide on cracked dog paw pads covers repair and prevention.

Warm up the home

Cold-sensitive dogs feel draughts. Raising the bed off the floor and away from doors makes a real difference, and the PDSA specifically recommends raised beds and extra blankets for older dogs. A warm, thick bed in a draught-free corner is often more valued than any gadget.

Adjust the routine

• Swap one long walk for two or three short ones on bitter days.
• Go out in the warmest part of the day rather than early morning or late evening.
• Dry your dog thoroughly the moment you're back in.
• For very small or hairless dogs, indoor games can replace outdoor exercise when it's dangerously cold.

Common mistakes owners make

• Assuming a big dog is a warm dog. A short-coated great dane or dobermann feels the cold more than a small but double-coated pomeranian.
• Leaving the coat wet. A soaked coat chills a dog faster than no coat at all. Have a dry one to change into.
• Buying on size label alone. "Medium" varies wildly between brands — always measure.
• Forgetting the belly. Thin-skinned dogs lose a lot of heat from an exposed underside, especially on wet ground.
• Ignoring arthritis. Cold stiffens sore joints. If an older dog is slowing down in winter, it may be pain, not just the cold — worth a vet check.

Which dogs don't need a coat

Just as important: don't overheat a breed built for cold. Double-coated northern breeds — Siberian huskies, Alaskan malamutes, Samoyeds — and heavily coated dogs like Bernese mountain dogs, Newfoundlands and St Bernards are insulated by nature and generally cope well in cold British winters. Putting a coat on these can flatten the undercoat that keeps them warm and, in milder weather, cause overheating. When in doubt, watch the individual dog rather than the label — but as a rule, if your dog has a thick, woolly undercoat, it almost certainly doesn't need help from you.

Curious how your breed's winter needs fit into its overall care and cost? Our breed cost guides cover the day-to-day, including the chihuahua, miniature schnauzer and dobermann. And for the opposite season, see keeping your dog cool in summer.

Sources

• RSPCA – Winter and cold weather care for dogs
• Vets Now – How cold is too cold for dogs?
• PDSA – Pet care advice for winter
• PDSA – Poisons and hazards for your pets (antifreeze, grit)