Does Your Dog Love the Snow? Expert Says There Could Be a Key Reason Why

In a viral TikTok video, a golden retriever can’t contain his happiness when he sees the first snow of the year—but do all dogs like the snow? And how do you know if they don’t? 

The heartwarming clip shared in November under the username @laurenandcody shows the golden retriever, Charlie, jumping around, wagging his tail, and burying his head in the snow, after his owner took him out to enjoy the first snowfall of the year. 

“POV: it’s the first snowfall and your golden retriever is having a mental breakdown of happiness,” the caption says. “No one loves snow more than Charlie.” 

But while Charlie loves the snow above anything else, do all dogs share the same feeling? And how do you know if they don’t? 

Dr. Julie Hunt, veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance, told Newsweek that while some dogs love the snow, others really hate it. 

“There are a few components to consider. In order for a dog to love snow, it must like going outside, experiencing cold weather, feeling wetness on its paws (as most snow will melt at some point), and feeling varying textures beneath its feet,” she said.

“If the dog doesn’t like any of those components, then the dog is unlikely to like snow. Additionally, some dogs will develop snowballs in between their toes if the fur between their toes is long and not trimmed. This can negatively impact their enjoyment of the snow.”

According to Hunt, breeds that don’t tolerate the cold well are less likely to like the snow. These can include very small breed dogs with short haircoats who will struggle to tolerate cold, even if equipped with coats and boots.  

Tea cup or toy breeds, especially those with short fur, like Miniature Pinschers, small Chihuahuas, tea cup Yorkies, dachshunds, etc, do not tolerate cold well. Hairless dogs including the Chinese Crested will also not do well in the snow.  

The same can be said for sighthounds, like Whippets, greyhounds, or other dogs without much body fat. 

Breeds that tolerate cold and snowy weather include livestock guardian dogs that are used to working outside like the Bernese Mountain Dog, St. Bernard, and Great Pyrenees.  

Arctic breeds like the Samoyed and husky will also love the snow. Many other breeds are well built for snow, including the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Newfoundland.  

Many sporting breeds also love playing in the snow, including most golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers, even if the latter have shorter fur. In short, any dog who enjoys playing outside in the cold is likely to enjoy playing in the snow. 

Hunt said that if your dog is not eager to play in the snow, is shivering or otherwise acting cold, or is turning for home, they do not enjoy the snow and should be taken home instead. 

While the snow is generally safe for dogs, owners should take care to ensure that their pups are kept at a comfortable temperature and that their paws are protected from developing ice balls or from walking on surfaces that could damage their paws, like those that are excessively cold, very uneven, or have an excessive amount of salt spread on them. 

“Get outside in the winter, and as long as your dog isn’t small and short-furred, take your dog with you! Just make sure to inspect their paw each time you come back inside (or once daily, if you are coming in and out frequently) to check for snow balls and any paw pad cracking,” she said.

“If your dog is small and short-furred, you can consider taking your dog outside in a pet stroller where it can stay warm in a pile of blankets.”