Hot Weather

Most people are very aware of hot weather and dogs, but the few do not take enough care. Here are some tips for your dogs in hot weather.

French bulldogs, Pugs and any breed with a brachephelic head shape can not be exercised in extreme heat. They can over pant which causes issues with their breathing. They are a breed which must be kept cool.
Hungarian Vizsla are sun lovers, but they can over heat by over basking in sunshine. So you must keep your dog cool.

Here are some tips: Buy a cooling mat for dogs which contains a gel inside which keeps them cool. We even have one that goes in our caravan in case we get caught out in warm weather. Cookie will instinctively seek it out and lay down.
Use fans to keep your dogs cool, drawn curtains in side to keep rooms cooler. Make sure dogs have access to cool water. But watch they do not over drink. Years ago when we owned Weimaraners we would have to monitor water as they would over drink, and they could get bloat from too much fluid in the stomachs. We have not found the Vizsla to be a breed of dog which needs such monitoring.
Provide paddling pools but watch what goes on. Never leave a dog on its own with water.
Use cooling coats if you go to dog shows. You can purchase online coats which you can pour cold water over, and they cool the dogs down.
Although dogs love to lick ice, do be careful as dogs have been noted to swallow chunks of ice, which cause problems in the stomach. The ice doesn’t melt quickly and causes a spasm in the guts. So licking ice is okay but not swallowing chunks.
Do not leave your dog in a car and walk away. A dog should never be left in a car during any warm weather, even with windows down the temperature inside can reach boiling point. If you have to travel in the car, open the windows an hour before journey, place the car under a tree in the shade. Start the air con five mins before getting in. Check metal crates arent boiling hot. Cars with air con keep dogs lovely and cool. When you get to destination you must remove the dog.