Make sure you feed a little extra when it's this cold.

[beaglerun]

A buddy of mine and I had this food discussion last year. He doesn't believe dogs need extra feed during the winter to keep warm. Winter is when he starts to cut back on the amount of feed he gives. I cut back during the summer, or I feed late at night.

I also use a heat lamp in my dog house at night. I am careful to make sure the lamp only heats a portion of the box. That way the dogs can move to the other side if they get too warm. Because my dog house is pretty big, I add a bucket of water not too far from the heat lamp. I try to place it close enough to keep from freezing, but far enough to keep the water from getting hot. So far this plan has worked petty good.

This summer I used the dog house to keep the water from getting hot. Every morning I would put a frozen five gallon bucket of ice in the dog house with about 4 inches of water on top. When I would get home in the evening (about 5:00) the bucket would still have a large chunk of ice in it . One day I noticed the dogs laying right next to the bucket licking the sides and staying cool.

I really enjoy walking out to my dog pen (winter and summer) and seeing my dogs lively and comfortable. It makes me know that they are happy. That makes me happy.

BeagleRun

[Larry G]

I'm not talking about HOT! water geez! take some time Jude and do a little Google research on the Mpemba Effect. ITs one of those things you learn in school but, I guess you wasn't there that day

My husband said I can do experiments in his kitchen.. he say's thats what I do every night when I cook dinner...

Leah

Who said me and Jude went to school?

Mpemba... didn't he use to play center for the Nuggets?

[JUDE]

I'm not talking about HOT! water geez! take some time Jude and do a little Google research on the Mpemba Effect. ITs one of those things you learn in school but, I guess you wasn't there that day

My husband said I can do experiments in his kitchen.. he say's thats what I do every night when I cook dinner...

Leah

Who said me and Jude went to school?

Mpemba... didn't he use to play center for the Nuggets?

[SilverZuk]

A buddy of mine and I had this food discussion last year. He doesn't believe dogs need extra feed during the winter to keep warm. Winter is when he starts to cut back on the amount of feed he gives. I cut back during the summer, or I feed late at night.

How does your buddy's dogs look?
Coats shiny, trim, see the last couple ribs?
A running dog you should be able to see the last couple ribs and good muscle.
You should not be able to count the ribs or the muscle look like the dog is skinned.

[beaglerun]

SilverZuk,

His dogs look good. We just disagree on feeding amounts and what it takes to get a dog through the different times of the year. He has some really big boned dogs, with some big appetites. Mine have a smaller structure and don't eat as much.

We do agree that the bottom line is cost. Feeding mine a little extra is not costing me as much.

[Pike Ridge Beagles]

A buddy of mine and I had this food discussion last year. He doesn't believe dogs need extra feed during the winter to keep warm. Winter is when he starts to cut back on the amount of feed he gives. I cut back during the summer, or I feed late at night.

I also use a heat lamp in my dog house at night. I am careful to make sure the lamp only heats a portion of the box. That way the dogs can move to the other side if they get too warm. Because my dog house is pretty big, I add a bucket of water not too far from the heat lamp. I try to place it close enough to keep from freezing, but far enough to keep the water from getting hot. So far this plan has worked petty good.

This summer I used the dog house to keep the water from getting hot. Every morning I would put a frozen five gallon bucket of ice in the dog house with about 4 inches of water on top. When I would get home in the evening (about 5:00) the bucket would still have a large chunk of ice in it . One day I noticed the dogs laying right next to the bucket licking the sides and staying cool.

I really enjoy walking out to my dog pen (winter and summer) and seeing my dogs lively and comfortable. It makes me know that they are happy. That makes me happy.

BeagleRun

You are good for beagles. Glad you have them. Wish everyone thought that much about their hounds. I salute you. I too try to make sure my hounds are comfortable, but it sounds like you go the extra mile.

[beaglerun]

Thanks for Pike Ridge.

I have to be honest and admit that I only have three dogs right now. Last December, I started to downsize from nine because I couldn't take care of them the way I wanted. I also live in a neighborhood where the houses are pretty close together and I didn't want any complaints.

I said that to say that it's easier (for me) to take care of a smaller amount of dogs.

BeagleRun