Cold weather camping with your dog.

Going to be camping next weekend, shouldnt be too cold but low is around 20 degree.

Do you guys have your dog sleep in the truck, tent or where?

 

20F? I stick him in the tent with me, under a pile of dog blankets (35lb beagle, so short coat). Dogs do what humans do in cold weather - restrict blood flow to the core muscles and organs. That means the body has to lose some blood volume (water) through urination. Don’t be surprised if Fido wants to inspect a tree/bush at 3AM. And keep him hydrated + fed on good calories.

 

Well 20F is the low, probably more like the 30s-40s im thinking. Considering putting him in the truck with some blankets, my tent isnt huge.

 

One of my Great Danes sits outside when it's -10 The other one lays on the couch by the wood stove she's the smart one he does not care if it's cold but that does not mean I would leave him outside the only thing a truck will do is stop wind chill it's going to be just as cold as the outside air I would keep him in the tent so I would know he was covered up ever hear of a "3 dog night"? Best of both worlds keeps you both warm.

 

Most have their dog sleep in the tent, hence the name of the band "Three Dog Night"

 

Alright I will try him in the tent, hes big tho, 90 lbs, Im big too, 6' 5" 220. Guess it will be that much warmer.

 

Now it'd Texas so take that with a grain of salt. But my German Shepard always sleeps out side she hates being in the tent and keeps pigs and coons away. Coat is the main factor.

 

My 60 lber sleeps in the tent. Truck would be fine too just provide enough ventilation but not too much that its colder than the tent would be, if your dog has a short coat.

My tent is small and my dog sleeps between me and my fiance on a ground pad and she stays warm with our heat. We put a blanket on her also but she ends up where we are.

 

What kind of tent are you using?

 

Pretty ordinary coleman tent.

 

Okay, just wondering cuz you said you were 6'5" and a 90 lb dog and the tent was kinda small. I'm not quite 6'7" 280 and my fiancé is 5'5" ish and average build, my tent is 98" x 56" and it's suitable for the 3 of us, really roomy for just one of us and the dog, and palacial when its just one without the dog.

Here's a link to the tent we use now, on clearance in case you're interested. http://m.rei.com/product/845481/rei-half-dome-2-plus-tent

 

Its actually a little bigger than that, its a 3 man tent I think about 7x8 or so. It will be fine im just a picky sleeper. As long as the dog doesnt fart all night.

 

Dogs are like a heater in a tent. Win/win.

 

I bought a dog jacket from ruffwear and I have a sleeping bag for him that he uses in the tent. He's also a lab so his coat already provides pretty good insulation.