For Colorado dogs, winter wear is required gear on the road to happiness

By Deb Acord, Special to the Rocky

Published December 1, 2008 at 6 p.m.
Updated December 2, 2008 at 11:29 a.m.

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Marie Griffin © The Rocky

Lucy, a Springer Spaniel, models "Doggles" eye wear protection, Ruffwear fleece lined jacket, and Ruffwear shoes.

Photo by Marie Griffin © The Rocky

Lucy, a Springer Spaniel, models "Doggles" eye wear protection, Ruffwear fleece lined jacket, and Ruffwear shoes in front of a hand painted illustration of Colorado snowcapped Rockies.

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You've just dressed for a winter hike. You're zipped into your Gore-Tex shell with its reinforced seams and adjustable powder skirt. Your hands are comfy in your Gore-Tex gloves with removable fleece liners. You're snow-proof because of your new boot-hugging gaiters (Gore-Tex, of course). You're ready for any conditions. Can you say the same about your dog?

He's an all-weather creature, you say. He has his own Gore-Tex coat, you say. It's called fur. He has his new tricked-out collar (it's cool, with tiny yellow kokopellis dancing across a purple background). What more could he need? A little more protection from the elements, for one thing. Dogs love the snow, but they can enjoy it more if they're warm and safe.

We've scoured pet-supply and outdoor stores and consulted with people who love dogs and people who know dogs to find the best ways to outfit your dog for winter, places to play outdoors with your furry friend and ways to make that experience enjoyable for both of you.

Outerwear

Blame it on the Chihuahua. The smallest dog breed in the world is a little short on fur and body fat, so owners often swath it in tiny coats, always pink, usually furry and often sparkly. But the dog coat doesn't have to be just a fashion statement. Fleece, waterproof materials and reflective strips make coats important gear for your hiking companion. Ruffwear and Lands' End both offer versatile coats that reduce the loss of body heat from your dog's core. The Ruffwear K-9 Overcoat ($49.95, ruffwear.com) features a recycled fleece insulating liner and a recycled polyester shell. Lands' End's Pet Squall Jacket ($24.95, landsend.com) also has a fleece liner with a nylon outer shell and reflective binding.

Packs

Most dogs can carry about 20 percent of their body weight safely. Even a 30-pound dog can haul his own snacks and water on the trail. The Outward Hound Water and Gear Pack ($29.95, petsmart.com) includes a storage pack for gear and a water reservoir with a bite valve. The REI Adventure Dog Pack ($50, large; rei.com), features a mesh harness that holds the pack in place, a short, integrated leash that allows easy handling and a short grab handle for help over rocks and other obstacles.

Head wear

Your hat protects you from the intense winter sun and keeps you warm. Shouldn't you allow your dog the same comfort? The K9 Kool Hat ($14.95, k9koolhats.com) protects your dog from the sun. On hot days, a removable foam insert can be soaked in water to provide additional cooling. In the winter, the hat serves as a sunshade. Chillydogs Head Muff ($19, medium, chillydogs.ca) is a tubelike fleece ear and head warmer, designed for breeds with cropped or thin-skinned ears.

Power food

Sure, your dog would be happy munching on your trail staples - beef jerky, bagels, chunks of cheese. But why not give him an extra boost like you get from your energy bars? With a smoked flavor, Team Realtree Xtreme Fuel Dog Energy Booster Bars ($9.99 per package, cabelas.com) are high-fat, high-protein bars that give dogs an energy boost on the trail. Zuke's Bite-Size Power Bones ($4.95, rei.com) are made of natural ingredients, including a dog favorite - peanut butter - and wheat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

Water

Some dogs are talented enough to drink from a Nalgene bottle, but it's a learned skill. To make hydration easier, check out the Gulpy Water Dispenser ($7, rei.com), which features a fold-out tray for easy drinking. If you'd rather go old-school, throw an Outward Hound Designer Port-A-Bowl ($4.99, petsmart.com, petco.com) into your pack and fill it with water when you stop.

Eyewear

You know how damaging the sun in Colorado can be to your eyes. It's no less dangerous for dogs. Doggles ($21.99, doggles.com, petsmart.com, petco.com) offer 100 percent UV protection, antifog lenses, shatterproof lenses and a flexible rubber frame. Doggie Shades ($12.95, doggieshades.com) come in movie-star- quality wrap styles and heart-shaped styles; they also offer 100 percent UV protection and adjustable straps.

Footwear

Iditarod dogs do it. Why shouldn't yours? Wear booties, that is. It might take time for your dog to become comfortable with them, but they can make all the difference on a hike over snow or ice, especially on trails with rough spots. (For dogs who don't care to wear booties, musher's wax works wonders for little pup paws.)

Dogs racing in the Iditarod and the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon have worn 330 Denier Cordura Booties ($2.50 per bootie, dogbooties.com) for years. They come in seven colors. Ruff Wear's Bark'n Boots Grip Trex booties ($59.95 for four, ruffwear.com, rei.com) feature Vibram soles and stylish uppers that resemble your own hiking boots.

Happy winter hounds:

Follow these tips from the Humane Society of the United States to make sure your dogs stay healthy and happy in the winter:

1. Don't leave dogs outside for long periods of time when the temperature drops. Wind chill can threaten a dog's life.

2. If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, he needs more food. Trying to stay warm depletes your dog's energy. Make sure there's plenty of water.

3. Always check your dog's feet. Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice in trail-head parking lots and streets can irritate his pads. Wipe his feet before he has a chance to lick them.

4. In trail-head parking lots, watch for signs of antifreeze spills from other cars. Be diligent about keeping your dog away from this deadly poison that tastes sweet to him.

5. Consider coats and booties for your dog when you head outside (see gear suggestions), and keep your dog well-groomed - matted fur isn't very efficient at insulating.

6. Keep an eye on your dog. If you see him shivering, he needs to be warmed. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, animals can suffer frostbite or hypothermia in less than an hour.

Where to take your dog for a winter hike/snowshoe hike

* National parks: Most don't allow dogs on their backcountry trails, but there's a notable exception. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a dog-friendly park. Leashes are required, but you may explore the dunes and many of the trails that start from the park's center with your furry friend. (nps.gov)

* State parks: Snowshoeing and cross- country skiing are great ways to explore Colorado's state park system. Only three parks prohibit dogs from backcountry trails: Mueller, Cheyenne Mountain and Roxborough. Some of our favorites for dog hikes: Golden Gate Canyon and Eldorado Canyon. Dogs must be leashed. (parks.state.co.us)

* National forests: The dog-friendliest public land around, national forests in Colorado offer hundreds of trails perfect for snowshoe and winter hiking. Favorites? Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Area, near Fairplay, and Pike National Forest, near Pine. (www.fs.fed.us)

* Nordic centers:. Opening trails at Nordic centers to dogs is a recent trend. According to the Colorado Cross Country Ski Areas Association (coloradocross country.com), these areas have some dog-friendly trails:

* Devil's Thumb Ranch, about 10K

* Gold Run Nordic Center, Breckenridge, 5 to 10K

* Breckenridge Nordic Center, Siberian Loop, an advanced, groomed, remote trail

* Frisco Nordic Center, a 1k snowshoe loop

* Tennessee Pass Nordic Center, Fish Flats area, all 25K of trails, 19K on the Mineral Belt Trail

Remember to stay on trails specifically designated for dogs and to clean up after your dog.

Snow play

Is your dog a snow machine? Check out skijoring, a competitive sport in which your dog pulls you on cross-country skis. For Colorado events and information on the sport, go to rmsdc.com, the site of the Rocky Mountain Sled Dog Club.

Regular skijoring classes are also offered throughout the winter at Devil's Thumb Ranch, near Winter Park. For information, go to devilsthumbranch.com.

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