Winter camping with a dog: tips, equipment and destinations for camping in the snow

Hast du schon mal überlegt, im Winter mit Hund campen zu gehen? Und damit meine ich nicht, ins warme Spanien zu flüchten, sondern in Deutschland zu bleiben, an die See, in ein Mittelgebirge oder gar in die Alpen. Aber ist das nicht viel zu kalt?

Properly equipped and prepared, winter camping with a dog is a great thing. And most dogs don’t mind “slippery weather” and almost everyone I know loves snow. So what are you waiting for?

The challenges of winter camping with a dog

Winter camping with a dog can be a wonderful experience, but it also brings with it special challenges that you should be well prepared for.

1. cold and protection: One of the main tasks is to keep the dog warm and dry. This includes providing a suitable dog bed to keep the cold out from underneath. In addition, many dogs, especially smaller or short-haired breeds, need a dog coat for longer walks in the cold.

2. protection from health hazards: Prevent your dog from eating snow to avoid health problems such as snow gastritis. In addition, the pads should be treated with protective ointment against the cold and road salt and cleaned after the walk.

3. increased energy requirements: Dogs have a higher energy requirement in winter, especially if they are outside a lot. It is important to carry enough high-calorie food with you and to plan more food if necessary.

4. moisture and hygiene: Wet dogs can quickly cause unpleasant odors in the limited space of a motorhome. Dog bathrobes or a supply of towels are useful here to dry the dog quickly after walks.

5. find suitable campsites: Make sure that dogs are welcome at your chosen campsite. Find out in advance about the regulations and offers so that you and your dog can have a pleasant time.

6. visibility and safety: In the dark, it is crucial that both dog and owner can be seen. A head torch for you and LED safety lights on the dog harness help you to be safe on the road.

7. occupation in the motorhome: On cold, uncomfortable days or evenings, it is important to keep the dog mentally and physically occupied in the motorhome to avoid boredom.

Although winter camping with a dog comes with these challenges, with good preparation you can plan a safe and enjoyable camping vacation.

Tips and equipment for winter camping with a dog

Schon im Sommer haben wir mehr für Hunde als für uns selbst dabei. Beim Wintercamping mit Hund wird deine Checkliste entsprechend länger. Den Hund warm und trocken halten, ist deine Mission.

Insulation in the camper

When winter camping with a dog, the insulation of the camper plays a crucial role in protecting both people and animals from the cold and keeping the heat inside better. Different dogs have different needs when it comes to the cold. It is therefore essential to pay attention to signals such as shivering or curling up tightly and to take appropriate measures. This includes choosing a draught-free sleeping area, insulating the dog bed well and providing warm clothing such as dog coats if necessary.

Panel vans in particular lose heat quickly through their all-steel bodywork and require more effort for winter-proof insulation than fully integrated motorhomes. To avoid or reduce cold bridges that lead to condensation and heat loss, thermal covers for windscreens and insulating mats for the floor can be used. Double-glazed windows and thick curtains also help to minimize heat loss.

Weitere Tipps rund um das Thema Kälte und Hund erhältst du in Nimas Beitrag Mangelnde Isolation im Camper und die Gefahr für deinen Hund.

Dog bed and cuddle sack

Hand on heart: where do your dogs sleep? Mine, wherever we are, in bed with me, preferably with physical contact (we once swore that the dog would never be allowed in bed with us!) And then it’s no problem at all to stay snug and warm during a three-dog night, as the Aborigines call a damn cold night.

However, there are some people or dog owners with very large or very many dogs where this is simply not logistically possible. In this case, you need a dog bed that keeps the cold out from underneath. A Vetbed Isobed has proven to be a good choice.

You can give your furry friend even more sleeping comfort with a cuddly bag or an additional fleece coat.

Dog clothing

Of course, not every dog is happy about the cold and snow. An Italian Greyhound that needs a coat from as early as September is less likely to go camping in winter. Small and short-haired breeds generally freeze more quickly.

Do dogs need a coat? Opinions differ on this question every year. Small, old, short-haired dogs and those from southern countries definitely benefit from a coat when out for a walk. Coats are now available as really great combinations of raincoat with a warming fleece insert.

However, there are many Nordic dog breeds that are virtually predestined for cold weather, such as Husky, Malamute and Co. My Border Collies, which were bred for the hard work in the Scottish Highlands, also have few problems with winter temperatures.

Towels and bathrobes

If you and your dog are traveling without a protective coat, it’s inevitable that you’ll get back into the motorhome wet. A wet dog in the house is not nice, but in the motorhome the smell borders on biological warfare.

There are dog bathrobes for this purpose, which are now even made from quick-drying organic cotton. My dog Idgie, on the other hand, doesn’t like outdoor or dog bathrobes, so I have a whole arsenal of towels on board. After all, it all has to dry again. If it’s been a really good walk, i.e. with mud and muck, a wash is also required.

Care when winter camping with a dog

In addition to the cold in the caravan or motorhome, there are also a few health risks when winter camping with a dog. Eating snow is absolutely taboo, as this can lead to snow gastritis with loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. You can strengthen your dog’s immune system with valuable oils, such as salmon oil. Rosehips are a total vitamin C booster.

Before going for a walk, you should treat the paws with an ointment that protects the paws from snow and road salt. After the walk, wash the paws with lukewarm water. It is also advisable to keep the fur between the toes short – this way less can get stuck in it. Very sensitive dogs benefit from dog shoes.

Dog food and snacks

By the way, blankets, towels and other equipment are not the only things you should have more of on board than in summer, because dogs need more energy in cold weather. At least when they are exposed to the cold during activities (animal couch potatoes who spend the day sleeping in the motorhome are just as unaffected by this effect as their two-legged counterparts).

So if you like to travel a lot in frosty weather, your dog will crave more calories. When traveling and hiking, we like to take BALF dry dog food with us. It’s nice and light, easy to soak in water and sustainably produced to boot.

Employment for stormy days

Wenn ihr nicht so viel im Freien unterwegs seid, helfen dir und deinem Hund Beschäftigungsideen, die auch im Wohnwagen durchgeführt werden können. Mein Favorit ist die Objektsuche, sie funktioniert auch im Wohnwagen oder -mobil. Wie du sie aufbaust und weitere Spielideen verrate ich dir in meinem Artikel Hundum glücklich und gesund.

Lighting

The lack of light is a danger that should not be underestimated when walking in winter and also when winter camping. When you are out and about at dusk or in the dark,seeing and being seen isessential.

To keep both hands free, I bought a head torch that really brings a lot of light into the dark. Attach bright LED safety lights to the collar or harness so that you always know where your dog is.

Great destinations for winter camping with dogs in Germany

Germany has everything you need for relaxed winter camping with your dog: a good infrastructure of campsites that are open all year round and great nature that allows for numerous outdoor activities. I’ll give you my top 3 destinations for winter camping with dogs in Germany with campsite tips:

Bavarian Forest

For a long time, the Bavarian Forest was considered a real insider tip, although the national park was founded 50 years ago. The large animal enclosures, which you can visit with your dog, are legendary. The Bavarian Forest is also relatively snow-sure.

Winter hiking trails lure you into nature and there are many other leisure activities with your dog. Take the Arber cable car up the Großer Arber or visit the open-air museum in Finsterau. Unbeatable advantage: fireworks are frowned upon in the national park, making it the perfect place for New Year’s Eve escapees.

You can find more information in the following article: New Year’s Eve with a dog: firecracker-free campsites and tips for less stress.

tip

▶ Campsite tip in the Bavarian Forest:

Campsite at the National Park
Bergstr. 44
94518 Klingenbrunn
Bayern
Germany

[email protected]
+498553727

The small campsite is idyllically situated on the edge of the forest on the outskirts of Klingenbrunn. It has 100 pitches and a small dormitory village; there is also a restaurant serving regional cuisine.

Dogs stay here free of charge and a local dog school offers workshops for you and your four-legged friend. From here, you can quickly reach the most beautiful spots in the national park.

Black Forest

The Black Forest towers high in south-west Germany, so your chances of finding snow are very good. In the Upper Black Forest, you have a total of 550 kilometers of groomed and rolled winter hiking trails at your disposal.

Or try snowshoeing. The cross-country ski trails in the Black Forest are unfortunately off-limits to dogs, but you’ll get your money’s worth even without skis.

tip

▶ Campsite tip in the Black Forest:

Lynx Camp, Schönau
Friedhofstr. 18
78141 Schönwald im Schwarzwald
Baden-Württemberg
Germany

+49 7722 86 86 7 86

This small but beautiful campsite is located 1,000 meters above sea level near the climatic health resort of Schönwald. The Triberg waterfalls are 3.5 kilometers away and there are many hiking trails around the camp for dogs and their owners. As the site is very small, you must book in advance. Dogs, even more than one, are welcome.

All pitches are equipped with fenced dog gardens. A spacious dog run directly on the pitch provides additional exercise. A dog shower is available in front of the free run and several DogStations make it easy to dispose of your dog’s waste. Local vets can be recommended if required.

Resin

The Harz Mount ains are simply magical and the highest low mountain range in northern Germany. The Harz Mountains are predestined for a vacation with a dog – and not just in winter. Even when there is ice and snow, you will find winter hiking trails that are easy to walk on.

There are also numerous leisure activities that can be experienced with your dog, such as a ride on the Brockenbahn, a trip on the cable car up the Wurmberg or a visit to the Samson mine.

tip

▶ Campsite tip in the Harz Mountains:

Camping Braunlage
Am Campingplatz 1
38700 Braunlage
Lower Saxony
Germany

+49 (0) 5520 9996931
[email protected]

The site is ideal if you want to explore the most beautiful corners of the Harz and is located in the middle of the forest. The site offers 150 pitches for holidaymakers on several terraces as well as some permanent camping pitches. There is also a small restaurant.

Experts in the podcast on the topic of winter camping

Our podcast series contains exciting episodes on the subject of winter camping, in which the topic is explored in more detail. The following episode also includes tips on winter camping with a dog:

You can find more articles on winter camping and camping with dogs below:

• Camping with a dog for the first time: what you should bear in mind
• Feeding your dog while traveling: Options & alternatives for on the go
• How to prepare your dog for traveling and camping
• Dog-friendly campsites – what sets them apart and where you can find them
• 11 dangers for your dog when traveling
• Transporting dogs in motorhomes and caravans
• Winter camping in Europe: skiing, tobogganing and coziness
• Winter camping: how to get your camper ready for the cold days
• Winter camping: everything you need to know about camping in the cold season

Cover picture: © Barbara Homolka

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