Dog Boots

[Plot10]

This may seem a wierd question but can anyone recommend a good brand of dog boots.
The past couple of winters have been so cold that my dog's feet get really cold when when she goes out. When we stop, for example to cross a road she lifts each paw in turn off the ground so it's not in contact with the snow/frost.

I'd like to get some dog boots before they go out of stock but they're expensive so I'd like to get some recommendations before I shell out money for something that might not be suitable.

They need to be hard wearing, waterproof and reusable (I've tried the "rubber glove" type but they're a hassle to get on and off) and suitable for a German Shepherd.

Any recommendations would be very welcome

[OverWyreGrower]

Try Snow Paw they have pretty hard wearing boots in different styles - originally for sled pulling dogs, but in sizes for all....

[Plot10]

Thanks OWG

I hadn't found this site before, I've now ordered a set of the "comfort" boots - much cheaper than other ones I've seen.

[OverWyreGrower]

No problem... we've just got a couple of running harnesses for the Boxers from there, so we can take them out running with us....

[Florence Fennel]

I think we ought to see some photographs of these dogs in their harnesses/boots please.

[Plot10]

I think it might look something like this

Ginger, the German Shepherd, puts her boots on - YouTube

[Florence Fennel]

Fantastic Plot10, thank you so much! I used to have pairs of GS dogs and I really miss them all. I'd still like to see a photo of yours when the boots are on!

[cardiffsteve]

I think it might look something like this

Excellent video dog with stupid walk

Why do dogs need boots and why do people put coats on them?

[Florence Fennel]

I think some dogs need boots or coats Steve and some owners like to dress up their dogs. Each to their own. My children once put a Wednesday shirt on Siggi, one of our huge German Shepherds because he had got wet in a stream (he hated water) and they didn't want him to catch a cold!

[SarzWix]

Have you ever seen a dog trying to walk on pavements or roads covered with slush and salt/grit? My poor GS was in agony last year because we can't get to anywhere from here without first going along gritted streets. And when it gets down to -20c, that's pretty damn cold to walk on in 'bare-feet' - they don't have that much hair on them to protect from colder-than-a-freezer temps, particularly combined with cracked and sore pads from the grit

[cardiffsteve]

I understand now.

Its just that you see dogs with "clothes" on and it just looks a bit strange. Almost as bad as people who carry their dogs like Paris Hilton

I like dogs but never had one as a pet, aw poor me, I have always liked German Shepherds, they lovely.

[galtezza]

Our Chow had to wear the shoes for a while. He had a problem with the underside of his pads, and where we had gravel all around the garden, it was really painful for him to walk. He really wasn't happy wearing them though, spent most of his time trying to flick them off, or just sitting down.... mind you, that was a position he preferred most of the time anyway!

[SarzWix]

I can't imagine Pads being happy with them either, but I'm getting her some anyway. Even if it's just to put on til we get to clean snow... She's never, ever worn a coat though, but she does have a very thick fur coat I might consider it if I had a greyhound or whippet, or something else with a thin coat and little fat though.

[baldrick]

Baldrick had to wear boots on a biking holiday after he shredded his front paws. He high stepped all week like a hackney pony! You may find paw wax or vaseline on the paws and a good wash of the feet after a walk stops the soreness without boots. Its the salt and grit that dries the feet out and makes them horribly sore.

[broadway]

I got some for stella the other year, reason being on and off when she went out to the garden in the winter, anyway she eat them