No matter what breed of dog you have, you should make sure that they don't get too hot in the summer. Dogs can easily become dehydrated and even overheat. There are plenty of things you can do to keep your dog cool in the summer, from refreshing baths to providing plenty of shade and water. Some dog breeds tend to feel the heat more than others, and are at a greater risk of overheating. Owners of these breeds should take extra care on particularly hot days. Some dogs aren't that sensible on hot days, they will even choose to sit in direct sunlight despite the fact they are clearly overheating. Brachycephalic breeds have a particularly tough time in the heat. These breeds have a wide skull and flat face, making it more difficult for them to breathe, especially when it's humid. These breeds also have a very short nose, which makes breathing even more of a challenge. Examples of brachycephalic breeds include Bulldogs and Pugs. If you have one of these breeds then you will need to keep a close eye on your pooch over the summer and make sure they stay cool enough. You should also be able to identify the signs of heat stroke, such as excessive panting, drooling, increased body temperature, disorientation, increased heart rate, dizziness and vomiting. If you think your dog might have heat stroke, take them to a vet right away. Here are some dog breeds that suffer from the heat and are more likely to develop heat stroke. PugsPugs have a flat face and a squashed nose and often suffer from severe breathing difficulties. They will often sit in the sun despite being very uncomfortable. Black pugs are at the most risk because their coat colour absorbs heat more than other colours, making them definitely one of the dog breeds that suffer from the heat. BulldogsBulldogs also have flat faces and not a very long muzzle. They really suffer from the heat and need to be kept cool during very hot days. French BulldogsFrench Bulldogs are small but stocky little dogs. They have a flat face and can find it hard to cool down on hot days. BoxersBoxers are extremely high energy and will play and run around all day if they are given the chance. This can cause problems for them on hot days, because they just don't know when to stop. PekinesePekingese not only have a flat face but they have a thick fluffy coat, which makes them even hotter. Shih TzusShih Tzus have a thick, long coat and due to the shape of their face can also have problems in the heat. They are active little dogs and need to be slowed down on hot days. Chow ChowChow Chows have long, fluffy coats which can make them very hot. AkitaAn Akita's coat may not be that long, but it is very thick. They would cope well in very cold locations, but they don't particularly like the heat. Hairless breedsHairless breeds don't have fur, so their skin has no protection from the sun. Their skin is extremely sensitive and can burn very quickly. They should spend very little time in the sun on hot days and wear sun cream to help protect their skin.
