How cold is too cold for a lab to be in a crate in the back of a truck?

No such temp in Tx.

Depends on the dog and the crate.

^^^^ this…

Example - You put a wet dog in a wire crate in the back of the truck on a 20-30 degree day and you’re asking for problems.

I guess I’m soft lol. I traveled to midland from Dallas last night. Temps when I left home we’re about 40. When I got to midland, it was 30ish. Roughly 5-6 hours outside with the stops with my kids. She has a wire crate with a cover but it’s not wind proof, just one that slides over the crate. I had a bed in there too. I stopped and put her in the cab for about the last hour and a half. I’ve done cold duck hunts with dogs and they’ve always been fine, I guess I was just concerned about the time and the wind from driving. She’s also pampered pretty bad at home(thanks to my wife) lol

Nothing wrong with that…mine used to ride in the cab, even after duck hunts. I’d dry her off, throw her in the back seat and on cold days I’d turn the seat heater on for her. Most all my buddies teased us both and I was okay with it.

Mine was bad spoiled but she was a good duck hound and an even better house mate. Take care of them, they’ll take care of you…if it wasn’t for the shedding, they’d be the best dogs in the world.

Judd is correct and in my opinion you did the right thing, Labs or any dog will ,and do get cold

If they’re dry, they can handle colder temps vs when they’re wet. But windchill in the back of the truck would be pretty significant.

If in doubt, put ‘em up front! Much better to be safe than sorry.


Mine always rides upfront currently. The vet box in the bed doesn’t leave any room for a kennel.

It got down to about 10 degrees that night --------- have thick carpet on the floor and a blanket inside also. With tailgate closed, no wind blowing on the dogs.

If it’s in the 40’s or colder I either use a good insulated kennel cover or put the dog in the cab. If one of my dogs are wet and it’s cold, I dry it off before it goes in the box or the cab of the truck. If it is a long drive, they ride in the cab in the back seat as long as they mind their manners.

I used to let mine ride up front. After running all day, I figure I owed her a little comfort and warmth.

If you have a good insulated box with hay they will be ok in any temperature you’ll see in TX.

With that said I still let mine ride in the back seat a lot.

Definitely true, each dog and pup will differ. If really too cold a vest can work great , but with our great weather would be a long shot. Their fur and internal temperature do extremely well in regulating and can handle a ton of scenarios. Cheers

dry dog, covered kennel, hay or blanket on bottom........no problema.

Had a buddy put a heat lamp in his dog's dog house. I told him "you're gonna cook that dog"
He did it anyway.

Came out the next morning and the dog was sleeping on cold concrete.

Down to at least 20 assuming it's a solid crate. You have to be more concerned with them overheating than freezing.

Is your dog an inside dog or out side dog?




Essentially this. I’ve overnighted mine in single digits with hay and insulated cover. Even tossed hay in back of an avalanche with cover and overnighted them in single digits back there also.