Given that dogs may not get frostbite on their feet please note this does not mean you can let your pal stand out in the snow and cold all day. Despite what some think domestic dogs are so far removed from their wolfie ancestors that survival in terrible weather, either hot or cold, is not one of their better traits. Sled dogs aside–they are acclimated–please don’t leave your Basset to fend for himself in nasty weather… (and sled dogs also wear booties to keep their feet from being torn apart by ice.)
I have a dog who grew up in the South, as did her ancestors for many generations. I took her to Iowa for two years, and she loved the snow, loved the cold. Until… the temp got down to about 5 degrees (that seemed to be the threshhold), when she’d start getting ice built up between her toes. Once I had to carry her home (yeah, a little embarrassing, since she weighs about 70 lbs.). She never got frostbite, but she clearly had no idea what to do and no defenses for severe winters.