How cold is too cold?

As maintained by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, to properly determine how long your pet should stay outside in cold temperatures, a number of factors must be taken into account.  These include breed, coat type, general health and age of your dog, whether they have been acclimated to the colder weather, the availability of shelter, as well as individual differences in the desire to spend time outdoors.  Smaller, short-coated, ill, the very young, or geriatric dogs have less tolerance for the cold and therefore are limited in the time they may be able to spend outdoors.  

As per the American Veterinary Medical Association, it's a common belief that dogs are more resistant than people to cold weather because of their fur, but it's simply untrue.  Dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should be kept inside in below-freezing weather, even huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates. 

In accordance with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pet.