Even if your dog loves summer and the warmth of sunshine, that doesn’t necessarily mean that their breed does. And for some breeds, summer can be a struggle.
Whether it is the heat itself or their own inabilities to regulate their temperatures, some dogs are just more prone to heat sensitivities. And that means that summer can be a real struggle for some of these pups.
Although we may think our dog is summer lover, for these breeds, there is more to the story. So here are five dog breeds that don’t love summer and why that may be.
5 dog breeds that don’t really love that summer heat
- Pugs – As the BC SPCA explains, Pugs are one breed that struggles in the hot summer months because they have issues regulating their body temperatures due to their flat faces.
- French Bulldogs – Much like the Pug, French Bulldogs also have flat faces and this can lead to what is known as brachycephalic airway syndrome (BAS). BAS means that these dogs have smaller nasal openings and “long soft palates in the back of their mouths.” Combine these two things and you have a dog that struggles with airflow. With these issues, these dogs have a harder time in summer trying to keep cool.
- Huskies – This one probably doesn’t come as a surprise to any Husky owner who has had to deal with a pup never wanting to leave a snowy backyard. And while their love of snow and winter may not mean they hate summer, their coats can be problematic. Considering Huskies have a double coat, this means that they have a lot more fur holding in heat. Their thicker coats also mean that they will hold onto heat in the summer, which can lead to overheating.
- Labradors – Much like Huskies, Labradors also have those double coats that hold in the heat. And if we are talking about a Black Lab, that dark fur makes it even worse. Their black fur seems to draw even more of the sun’s heat. As someone who has had a Black Lab, I know that while he may have loved sitting out in the summer sunshine, he needed a lot of shade, a kiddy pool of water and plenty of fresh water to drink in order to negate his desire to basically cook himself in the sunshine.
- Boston Terriers – Much like Pugs and French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers have flatter faces. This means that they also struggle with breathing and regulating their body temperatures through panting. Plus, the fact that so many Boston Terriers have a mix of black and white fur means that the darker fur is attracting the heat, compounding the issue.
Honestly, even if your dog isn’t on this list or they just love being in the sunshine during the warmer months, we need to pay attention to our pups to make sure they don’t overheat or end up suffering from heatstroke. Plenty of water and shade are important all summer long.