Labrador Retriever Temperature Tolerance And How To Keep Your Dog Safe

Last Updated on September 22, 2023 by Linda Richard

Labs have thick coats but that doesn’t mean they are fully insulated from the weather. So, what is the Labrador Retriever temperature tolerance, and how to keep your dog safe? What are the exact temperature ranges you’d need to watch out for and what to do if it does get that hot or cold? Is your lab tolerant enough to temperature changes to live outdoors full-time? We’ll try to cover all that below.

What Is The Standard Labrador Retriever Temperature Tolerance?

The normal Labrador Retriever temperature tolerance is better than most other dog breeds’ as labs are said to tolerate both warm and cold temperatures. There is a limit to both ranges, however, especially where hot weather is concerned.

The highest Labrador Retriever temperature tolerance is considered to be 90o F or 32o C – anything above that is just too dangerous for a lab, especially without shade, good ventilation, or water for an extended period of time. In general, the ideal temperature for labs is considered to be below 80o F or 26o C.

The acceptable lower limit of Labrador Retriever temperature tolerance is 50o F or 10o C. Again, anything below that is just too cold even for a healthy lab. People often overestimate labs’ ability to tolerate cold as these dogs come from Newfoundland in Canada. And while it is true that labs do better in cold than in hot weather thanks to their thick double coats, do keep in mind that their paws are still exposed and stuff such as frostbite or hypothermia is very much possible.

How To Keep A Lab Safe In Cold Weather?

So, the standard Labrador Retriever temperature tolerance for cold weather isn’t too shabby – 50o F or 10o C is pretty good compared to most other breeds and is low enough for your lab to be safe during walks in most climates. If the weather is lower than that, however – especially lower than 44o F or 7o C, it’s best to just not go out with your dog and wait for more favorable weather.

If you absolutely have to get your dog out for a while, make sure that you don’t spend much time outside and that you get your dog’s feet away from any water, ice, or snow when possible. If you have to do this regularly, consider getting your lab dog boots and a coat. Drying and slowly rewarming your dog’s paws is strongly recommended once you’re back inside too.

How To Keep A Lab Safe In Cold Weather

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How To Keep A Lab Safe In Hot Weather?

Hot weather is a more common problem for labs as most people live in warmer climates and the Labrador Retriever’s temperature tolerance for heat is not as good as it is for cold. So, naturally, you’d want to be very careful whenever the outdoor temperatures get higher than 90o F or 32o C.

Additionally, you should be careful whenever you leave your dog in an unventilated enclosed space under the sun such as your car. Your dog should always have access to shade, water, and ventilation or a heat stroke becomes very probably. Remember that dogs can’t sweat like us – they can only cool off by panting and there’s a limit to how effective that can be.

So, What Is The Normal Labrador Retriever Temperature Tolerance?

All in all, labs are tolerant to a decent range of temperatures. They don’t endure cold weather as well as Huskies, for example, but they are still better in the cold than most other breeds. They are also relatively average when it comes to hot weather – they are better than Brachycephalic breeds but they are a northern and double-coated breed so anything after a certain point is just too hot for them.


Read more about: When Is It Too Cold To Walk A Labrador Retriever?

FAQs

What temperature is too hot for Labradors?

What temperature is too hot for Labradors?
A healthy person can usually tolerate outdoor temperatures up to 104o F / 40o C with the right clothing (or lack thereof). In fact, there are numerous countries where temperatures regularly hit 122o F / 50o C and yet people still live there. However, you’d be sorely mistaken to think that your dog can tolerate such extreme temperatures.
Generally speaking, a lab does best when the temperature is kept under 80o F or 26o C. Anything above that will require lots of extra water, shade, and cooling. The temperature most experts cite as the uppermost tolerance range for labs is 90o F or 32o C – anything above that is just too risky.

How cold is too cold for lab dogs?

Labrador Retrievers come from Newfoundland in Canada so they are no strangers to cold weather. Still, it’s easy to overestimate your dog’s tolerance for cold and get it in trouble. The limit most experts recommend staying over is 50o F or 10o C. Anything below that is just too cold for a lab. Yes, these dogs do have thick double coats but their paws are still too exposed, especially if there’s water, ice, or snow.

Can a Labrador live outside?

They can but whether they should is a different question. There are two main considerations when it comes to leaving a lab to live outdoors 24/7 – 1) will the dog be able to tolerate the temperature ranges in your area and 2) will the dog be lonely or is there going to be enough socialization and playtime for it every day.
The latter is a matter of personal circumstances but the former is very much a numbers game. Labs need a safe temperature range of 50o to 80o F (10o to 26o C) to be well and healthy. If the temperatures in your area go below or above that you’re going to have to make sure that your dog has access to a well-insulated and heated/air-conditioned dog house.

Are Labs OK outside in cold weather?

They can be if you’ve given them the tools to stay warm and healthy. The minimal acceptable outdoor temperature for an adult lab is 50o F or 10o C. Anything below that and your dog is going to need a properly insulated and heated dog house to snuggle in.

Linda Richard

I know that all dog breeds are different, but Labradors exude a special energy, don’t they? I believe everyone deserves the unconditional love of a pet, so my main goal is to make sure you can experience it.

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