Each winter, the posts
begin about bringing all cats and dogs indoors during the cold days
ahead. The farmer who leaves his working dog or even barn cat outside
"working" is demonized.
Before I go further, this
isn’t about true neglect and abuse of pets or livestock where they are chained,
left without a true way to access what they need and so forth. Those cases
happen often and should be reported.
But now and again, working
dogs are called in that actually are quite happy and cared for, and that is
what I’m speaking to here.
Just as goats, sheep, horses and cattle can humanely and
safely be outside, working dogs and cats (barn mousers) can, and really
sometimes have it easier given their ability to get into warmer spots with
coats that are even more winter ready than any goat I've seen.
Are farmers doing the cows and horses harm by not
bringing them inside, as well?
Of
course not.
The statement: "If You are Cold, THEY ARE Cold” doesn’t
apply to all.
If you have a pet that genetically isn't a type kept outside
at all in the past decades - i.e. small breeds like Chihuahuas, breeds
genetically not suited to harsh winter based on their historical genetic
background or those disadvantages in some way (age, illness), I believe they thrive best inside with temperatures that
are mild/moderate when weather is A-typical for what they are genetically
prepared to live through.
You should never have a
dog tied out in any weather and leave them to try to survive. Plastic dog houses, a little hay, chains,
frozen water or little square chainlink kennels – that isn’t humane, be it very
cold or sweltering hot.
But for many breeds of dogs - the genetics ARE
there for outdoor living when they are well nourished and given solid options
for shelter, just like it is there for goats, cattle, poultry, pigs and more. .
.
I have to assume many people are just truly unaware.
If
one’s livestock can be in run in shed, barn or out on pasture (which is
perfectly acceptable with wind breaks, shelter to stay dry and water/food), a
double coated working Pyrenees that comes from generations (as many do) of
working dogs who has been growing a coat for winter through the seasonal
changes should have no need to be brought in when his flock is outside. The
flock is one he protects.
Obviously, do not take an inside dog of any breed, even a Livestock Guard Dog, and
put them out in the middle of winter. You would have problems if you
brought goats up from Florida in December and threw them out in the winters of
the north, too. You also be off track if you take a dog who grew a coat for
winter through outdoor living in the fall and you bring him into a house that
75 degrees.
Common sense, folks.
DON'T DO those things. . .
If a healthy animal's genetic package works with the outdoors
and the animal is acclimatized - you are not doing them a disservice by
providing having them outside, BUT know your breeds and know if they are acclimatized.
My Pyrs, over the years, have had three options for
shelter - a covered porch where it is dry with dog beds, a wooden and off
ground dog house without wind access. . . and a barn full of hay. . .
And just where do I often find these dogs in the
worst of weather? Laying in the driveway and rolling around playing with the
other farm dogs. . .because that is WHAT dogs that have acclimatized coats,
breeding and so forth think of cold weather. . .
My
indoor/outdoor cat prefers to head outside on the farm at night, even in harsh
winter. She lets me know when she wants in and out.
Where were the horses in snow, rain and wind? Well,
not in the barn with hay - they are found poking around on the hillside in the
wind. . .
Your acclimated farming dogs, just like your
livestock, should have access to windbreaks, shelter, bedding, plenty of food
and unfrozen water -
They will be fine.
(Repeating: this isn’t about true neglect and abuse of
pets or livestock where they are chained and/or left/kept without a true way to
access what they need. Those cases happen often and should be reported, Always.)
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