The Winter Warriors! Champions of the Cold
- Ethan Seow
- Jan 21
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 22
It is currently the middle of winter in most countries around the world, and for many of us, that means cozying up indoors with a hot drink and a good book. But when you look over at your pets, they sometimes do the exact opposite, rolling around in the snow and even happily running around when its snowfall. At some point, you should have wondered to yourself, why do pet animals enjoy this weather even though it is unbearable for us humans?
Oftentimes, the answer lies in evolution. Some domesticated pet breeds have been bred to withstand even the harshest of winter climates, and over centuries, these animals are through evolution, acclimated to the cold winters. So lets take a moment to shine a spotlight on some incredible dogs and cats who consider winter their personal playground.
Dogs - The Arctic Adventurers
When it comes to cold-weather champions, certain dog breeds immediately spring to mind. Reinforced with thick coats to brave even the most extreme of cold temperatures. Some dogs come equipped with double coats, where one layer of coat that provides insulation for both hotter and colder weather. These coats come as an evolutionary trait, moreso for dogs that live in harsher climates. Let us take a look at some common arctic breeds.
(Source: American Kennel Club)
The Northern Powerhouses - You can't talk about cold-hardy dogs without mentioning the Siberian Husky, Greenland dog and Alaskan Malamute. These dogs were originally bred to be sled dogs, being able to acclimate easily to extremely cold temperatures. In the colder regions of the world, they are often kept as house pets. The Siberian husky in general is the more popular choice. There are some videos of huskies playing around whenever it's snowing outside, where they will usually roll around or prance in the snowfall.
(Source: Britannica, South China Morning Post)
Arctic Companion Dogs - Even though sled dogs overtime became household pets for many, there are some cold-tolerant dog breeds that were specifically bred for companionship, with the most prominent examples being the American Eskimo Dog and the Samoyed. The Samoyed, in particular, is circulated widely on social media platforms due to their cuter allure. If you've been on social media a bunch, you would know the Samoyed is one of the most popular dogs on social media, and are widely celebrated as a pet!
(Source: Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America)
Mountainous Dogs - These breeds are commonly found in the more mountainous regions of our world. They include the Switzerland bred Bernese mountain dog and the French bred Great Pyreness. Both of these dog breeds usually serve as farm helpers, to keep livestock safe from natural predators. Both of these breeds are also known to be loyal if kept as a house pet, who can double as a fierce bodyguard if need be!
These incredible canines genuinely come alive when the temperatures drop, often showing renewed energy and a playful spirit in the snow. Plus, they double as pretty cute models for social media posts!
Cats - The Chic Winter Wanderers
Now that we know of the dog breeds that are born for colder climates, what about our feline friends? While most of our feline friends are champion nappers by the fireplace, there exist a few sophisticated breeds that are better equipped for cooler climates.
(Source: The Spruce Pets)
The Forest Dwellers - Hailing from the chilly forests of Norway, the Norwegian Forest Cat is a natural-born domestic breed built for harsh winter climates. They come with a thick, woolly undercoat for insulation and a long, water-shedding outer layer. Fun fact, these cats also most likely served on Viking ships back in the day as mousers!
(Source: Anmlzone)
The Elder Giant - Being one of the oldest natural breeds in north America, the Maine Coon (also known as the gentle giant) is one of the largest breed of domesticated cats. These cats are a largely known as a social cat, and is evident by their number of media appearances. All throughout the 19th and 20th century they've been in a multitude of media content and events, which include books (France Simpson's The Book of the Cat 1903) and a 1895 American Cat show in New York City.
A good chunk of modern domesticated pet breeds are well built for any climate, but lets not forget, despite their natural adaptation to cold climates, it is important to understand the potential risks that come with prolonged exposure.
Its Always Warm Inside
Even for these amazing cold-weather champions, responsible pet ownership in winter is crucial.
Shelter is a Must. While they might enjoy being outside, always ensure they have access to warm, dry shelter if they are out for extended periods. Cold weather can easily cause dehydration and paw damage. In the cold season, pets are easily dehydrated due to the dry air, they risk dehydration if out for too long.
As for paw health, ensure to wipe down their paws after a walk outside in winter. Salt, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride that's used to melt snow ice can irritate, burn and dehydrate paw pads, which leads to cracking. Another way to avoid such issues is to provide your pet with boots when they walk outside!
(Source: Business Insider)
Lets not forget the most dangerous hazard when walking or letting your pet outside in winter, sharp objects. With piles of snow on the ground, its difficult to spot or differentiate where sharp objects may be hiding. Random debris such as loose wiring or even sharp foliage can easily cause cuts and lacerations.
That's not to mention in really cold environments, there's a chance that ice can be sharp enough to act like broken glass. Its always a good idea to keep your pet equipped with some protection before taking out for walks or even letting them outside to play!
The South East Asian "Winters"
It's fun to learn about arctic pets, especially so for those in south east asia that own a breed! However, how does any of this apply in the tropics? There are some correlations in fact!
As previously mentioned, most arctic breeds come equipped with an insulated layer that protects them from the cold. But did you know? The exact same layer traps cool air during hot weather as well!
Instead of the cold icy ground that pets deal with, it is important to know that burning hot asphalt also jeopardizes paw health! That's not all, in the outskirts of South East Asia, dirt and unmaintained roads are very common. Within these roads also lie debris, which can oftentimes be hard to spot! In any case, having protective boots anywhere could be a huge help!
Let's not forget about the defining hallmark of South East Asia: The weather. Our winters are replaced with heavy monsoons. Despite the colder temperatures, it also comes with some downsides. After heavy rains, it tends to become extremely humid and hot, which runs the risk of dehydration for your pets. It is essential that you keep some water at the ready just for them, especially when you're taking them out for a walk!
So despite our weather climates being vastly different, our arctic friends still face the same obstacles. Therefore, it is imperative that you have the know-hows to deal with these issues!
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