A hot weather caution for owners of brachycephalic breeds

[Stinky The Clown]

These are the "pushed face" doggies: boxers, pugs, bulldogs, shih-tzus, lhasos, etc. The shape of their snouts makes breathing more difficult for them than for other breeds. Hot weather exacerbates the issue. Keep a special eye on these guys. Don't let them get overheated.

(Tip from a local vet with a Sunday morning spot on the local morning show on tv).

edited to clarify: The labored breathing they normally do means they can't "sweat" as easily as other dogs, thus creating the hot weather problem.

[2theleft]

1. Great reminder, Stinky...

My boxer girl LOVES the heat...LOVES, LOVES, LOVES it and wants to be outside all day. She also loves frigid weather. Unless I put on her coat. Then she doesn't move.

I just wish she realized that forcing her inside for long breaks is because I want her stay safe and not because I'm a big meanie!

[Texasgal]

2. My bostons stay inside

in the cool AC!

We only let them outside to do their business or to take walks. It's been too hot for walks lately so we play fetch with them in the house for atleast an hour daily.

Good tip however!

[orleans]

3. my baby loved ice cubes after walks when it was hot out

on hot, humid days we'd walk late in the afternoon when things cooled off a bit, didn't walk as far as we normally did, and i wouldn't let her dawdle in the sun--only in the shady spots.

on terribly hot days we'd hang out in the house and keep cool. the only trips outside were quick ones in the back yard.