How Hot is too Hot?

[GWFJR]

Just acquired my 4th Rotty. 4 yr old Show Bitch. Previous Dogs were OK outside in the Shade up 90 degrees maybe 95 for limited time. Above 90 and I tried to keep them in the Basement. I have to leave this one out for about 9 hrs in a Kennel Run with shade, water and a Dog House.
Temps are topping at 82 for now. I just wonder what the actual tolerances are. BTW I live in Middle Tenn. Follow-up Question; Do Dogs recognize Humidity? We've certainly got our share of that around here!

[observer]

I think the actual tolerance varies somewhat from dog to dog. I guess I have to ask why "this one" has to be left outside. You have three others now, or you have had them in the past? Why is the dog not in the house?

And yes, they do "recognize" humidity. Do you have issues with mosquitos, etc., as well?

[OnyxGold1]

I would agree with Observer.....I think it would vary from dog to dog......perhaps examine where you got your bitch from before making this decision.

For instance in Canada my dogs preference is definitely cooler temps.....and we have nil humidity in northern Alberta....however we have travelled extensively to dog shows and I've ended up using fans/cooling blankets/misting fans, you name it to keep my dogs cool as they aren't use to warm temps and find the hotter temps difficult to adjust to.

Definitely dogs feel humidity....at least mine do!!

Heather

[GWFJR]

The 3 others were predecessors. I doubt that I do leave this one out when Temps reach 90. JUST wondered if owners in warmer climates had left their dogs out in mid to upper 90's. FYI I plan on putting a wading pool in shortly. She loves water.

[AmyinLV]

I live in Las Vegas, NV. Last summer temp's where up to 117 with 0% humidity. Once it hits the 90's Bo doesn't like to be outside much and once it hits the upper 90's he wont go outside for longer than it takes for him to use the potty. Which works for me because I'd rather not be outside when it's that hot!

Once it starts to hit the upper 80's I also check the ground and how hot it feels to me. If I can't walk on it without shoes then my dogs don't walk on it without doggie "shoes"


Bo seems much more adaptable than I am because once it hits the 90's I don't want to be outside at all

[MShaw]

I would imagine that a dog's blood will thin out and thicken up with the climate just like ours does. As long as it doesn't go from 60 degrees one day to 90 the next, I'd think they'd be fine. LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER and a pool and shade would be very helpful though. And maybe bring them in one at a time so that they could get time inside being cool and time with you?

[SABELLESMOM]

Well have you thought of a cool vest, or mat? Do you sew? For a mat, you'd need 2, peices of durable but breathable cotton cloth. Or...start with a cheap cotton pillowcase. Sew lengthwise "channels" about 1.5-2" wide, from the sewn end to the open end.

Fill the channels with about 1.5 TB of Soil Moist. (available @ Agway) Sew the open end shut. Place in cool water. It will "grow" to fill the channels. Make CERTAIN you hang it in a dry location to fully dry, before storing. I don't bother to actually pack mine away. They hang in "storage" in the vasement until they are needed again.

[GWFJR]

The Cool Mat/Vest is an interesting idea. I might be able to incorporate that into some part of the regimen.

[observer]

You can buy the mats/vests if you aren't particularly handy. Drs. Foster and Smith, and I think In the Company of Dogs, both sell them in catalogs/online.

[TrinaJ]

Cool vests are a great idea, you can also pick them up from Dog shows here in Australia.

When it reaches over 30 degrees my dogs are inside. Dogs, like people, are all different, some people can tolerate heat and others cant, i would think the same would apply to animals. If in doubt I'd go with the cool vest.

Trina

[CanineCoach]

I'm in Dallas and my girl is already thinking it's too hot for our really long walks. Usually by the first of June I try to split up our walks and do more short ones rather than two long ones. But it sounds like you don't have that option. That black coat really absorbs the heat much more than a light colored dog would, but I do know that getting acclimated to the heat helps. Much better than if all of a sudden she had to begin getting used to it in the middle of July. Humidity makes a HUGE difference, hence factoring that in to figure the heat index.

[targonrotts]

i am in miami. live in a 80 plus year old house(no a/c). my dogs were born here and have adapted well.
i bring them in the house, though.
it is a bit cooler under the roof inside than outside in the runs.
i give them outside time with full access to yard so they can go where need be to keep cool.
make sure water is always fresh and there are shaded and secure areas to go into.watch for any signs of possible heat stroke!
if a dog is used to heat, it does better. if the dog came from a cold place or used to a/c, it is harder to adapt.
yes, they feel that humidity! it sure gets hot!
make sure on heartworm prevention year round.