These Dog Breeds Are at the Most Risk of Overheating

The dog days of summer are upon us. Temperatures are rising across the country and many cities are already faced with record-breaking heat waves.

When extremely hot weather rolls in, it’s not only people who struggle to stay cool and hydrated. Our four-legged companions shouldn’t be forgotten during this hot time as they often have trouble cooling down.

“High temperatures can affect dogs differently depending on a variety of factors,” said Angela Beal, DVM. “Generally, it’s advisable to avoid taking your dog out when the temperatures exceed 85°F, especially if the humidity is high.”

All dogs can get painful burns on their paw pads when they come into contact with hot pavement, but certain dog breeds are more susceptible to overheating in hot weather. 

“Dogs have sweat glands mainly in their paw pads, so [their] primary way to cool themselves down is by panting…The brachycephalic airway impacts airflow [so] they are unable to cool themselves down effectively in even mild heat,” explained Petco chief veterinarian, Dr. Whitney Miller. She added that dogs with “longer and thicker coats are also more susceptible to heatstroke.”

According to veterinarians, breeds most susceptible to heatstroke include, bulldogs, boxers, pugs, Boston terriers, chow chows, Shih Tzus, golden retrievers, huskies, and malamutes. 

Dogs like bulldogs, boxers, Boston terriers, pugs, Shih Tzus, chow chows, and French bulldogs are classified as brachycephalic breeds. These dogs have short noses and elongated soft palates that predispose them to breathing problems and make it hard to regulate their body temperature. All of these factors combined, make these pups highly susceptible to heatstroke. 

On the other hand, breeds like huskies, malamutes, and golden retrievers have longer and thicker double coats that can cause these breeds to overheat during the summer easily. 

These are the two main reasons for heatstroke in dogs, but Dr. Miller adds that young puppies and senior dogs are also at higher risk of overheating. Owners should also keep a close eye on overweight dogs and canines that aren’t in good physical shape. 

While these factors make some dogs more susceptible to heatstroke, owners should understand that any dog can overheat during a particularly hot summer day. Preventing your dog from overheating is key if you want to keep them healthy and happy during the summer months. 

“Provide clean, cool drinking water and access to shade. Never leave your pet outside or in a hot car for a long period of time, regardless of the shade,” said Dr. Miller. 

She advised dog owners to adjust their walking routines during the summer months to ensure they aren’t taking their dogs out during the hottest hours of the day. Walking your pooch early in the morning and later in the evening is a great way to minimize the risk of overheating and painful paw burns. 

Maintain a regular grooming routine during the summer months, especially if you own a curly or double-coated pooch. Curly-coated breeds, like poodles, can benefit from having their coat trimmed during the summer, while double-coated breeds like, huskies and chow chows, can experience some relief after being brushed by a professional with a de-shedding tool.

When it comes to signs that your dog is getting overheated, look for panting, dark, blue, or red gums and tongue, diarrhea, vomiting, drooling, rapid and deep breathing, weakness, disorientation, and collapse. 

If your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms on a hot day, take them to a cool and well-ventilated room and offer them fresh, cool water. 

If you’re concerned that your pooch is too hot or you can’t cool them down, call your vet right away.

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