weerubbertummy
Ayrshire, Scotland
MH
Posts:726
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| 07/03/2012 7:05 AM |
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I was wondering if anyone has any issues with the effects of heat on their dog?
I posted a couple of months ago during warmer weather about how she pants a lot, and to be honest i just wasnt used to a dog that pants (Kintra hardly ever panted for some reason). I can only assume that some dogs tolerate the heat better than others as Keely seems to become quite agitated but slow.
Today for example it is 17c here in ayrshire with patchy cloud and sunshine, and to be fair it is kinda humid (yucky Scottish summers  ) but not extremely. I took her for a walk up the road and normally she would attempt to pull on the way but walk better on the way back home, but on a day like this it's vica versa, as if she's desperate to come home. We came back in and she went straight onto the sofa, then she's up and down trying to find some cool surface.
She does still harrass me to throw the ball after she has been resting but seems to tire really quickly in the heat (understandably) but it's not that hot, and i'm usually the one who cant tolerate warm weather. Does anyone else have a heat sensitive gsp? |
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Miss you forever Kintra baby xxx |
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everbell
Kanata, ON
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Posts:3162
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| 07/03/2012 7:22 AM |
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We have a heatwave going on in Ottawa right now ... It's been at least 29C for the last week and will continue until at least the weekend coming up.
We're lucky since we live in a one-story with A/C and the basement is nice and cool for the dogs. Bo is NOT crazy about the the heat, but Shiraz will go outside and suntan. This heat has stopped even Shiraz's sunbatheing.
We take them swimming when we can, and limit their outdoor activities on days like this. They do pretty well on a short walk in the evening, but even that we have to be careful with since the asphalt heats up. |
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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kpwlee
Raleigh, NC
MH
Posts:992
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| 07/03/2012 7:56 AM |
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I think the black color is a factor - Bugsy is awful in the heat. In fairness we have serious heat and the sun is intense but pretty much all summer activity for him is pre-dawn or post-dusk.
We are currently on week 2 I think of 37-42*C (that is not a typo)
I cut his food back and let him just laze most of the day - we do a walk about 5:30 am and then a bit of bird work about 8pm
This morning I took him swimming but the darn lake was like bath water so he was HOT.
Tell her Bugsy would kill for 17* 
Seriously she is self-regulating which is a good thing. I figure just like us they deal with heat and cold differently and also they get used to the climate in which they live. |
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It's Bugsy's world...
http://dailyzoomie.blogspot.com/ |
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:3130
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| 07/03/2012 8:17 AM |
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| Mine defiantly pant in weather like this... it has been super hot here 98 C (not sure what that converts to)... and humid... we have a kiddie pool for the dogs and they use that all day long... but I know there has been some animal in our yard hiding in the rock pile cuz the other day the dogs were out for about 3 hours straight hunting... they came in full of dirt with scratches on them (their noses and sides) not animal looking scratches I think they knock the rock pile over (they big rocks) and I think that scratched them up... when they come in they are panting and pass out... we do have AC and the basement is even cooler! |
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weerubbertummy
Ayrshire, Scotland
MH
Posts:726
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| 07/03/2012 8:21 AM |
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Thank you for your replies - they've really put my mind at rest. She definately does absorb more heat in the sun as she's absolutely roasting hot to the touch when it's both sunny and warm, but even just a dull warm day zaps the energy from her (and me - we're perfect for each other  ). I think i just doubted my own judgement a little because i know this isnt a hot climate.
kpwlee - jeez, i couldnt imagine what it must be like to live with those temps you have just now, Keely and i would probably both be lying in a cold bath all day trying to escape it 
Thanks again x |
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Miss you forever Kintra baby xxx |
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everbell
Kanata, ON
MH
Posts:3162
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| 07/03/2012 9:23 AM |
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| Holy man Karen! I'll quite whining about 31C |
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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smatulewicz
Michigan
MH
Posts:1188
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| 07/03/2012 9:33 AM |
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Bella learned to pant when we went to Georgie as she had never had a need for it yet where we live. I think she was in a constant state of pant while we were there and she was up to doing things, but totally up to being lazy too. I think panting in and of itself takes a lot out of them. I'm one, on the other hand, prone to constant shivering in the winters (I'm a summer sun gal) and I know it wears me out!
Now, we have had about a week and a half of no rain and constant 80's. Up here, we don't have AC because there is no use for it 10 months out of the year. We do have a small unit in our living room that she will lay under, because some days without it feels better outdoors than in. Her energy level does decrease significantly, UNTIL... we get to the beach Now she expects it because I've been taking her daily. She also isn't a car whiner....but we take the Lakeshore route and she can see the lake the whole way, and when we are almost there she gets fidgety and whiny in anticipation
I think a kiddie pool for Keely would be a great idea. I want to get one for Bella, but the hubbs isn't sold on the idea yet because he works so hard to have nice grass. When we finish our patio I can argue we can put it right on there and voila, no grass harm |
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weerubbertummy
Ayrshire, Scotland
MH
Posts:726
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| 07/03/2012 10:28 AM |
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http://s1137.photobucket.com/albums/n519/peoplesndogs/Keely/?action=view¤t=011-3.mp4
(let me know if the link doesnt work, still having some probs with video upload)
I managed to get a doggy paddling pool a few weeks ago and she loves running through it but not necessarily getting wet, so i launch her ball from a distance and aim for the pool - a game that keeps us both amused 
The only problem is she seems to think that it's a huge drinking bowl  |
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Miss you forever Kintra baby xxx |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7835
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| 07/03/2012 10:43 AM |
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| Also dogs need to be acclimated to the heat. If they stay in most of the day where it is cool and only go out for walks, etc the heat will bother them more than if they stay out all the time. Since I do hunt tests with mine they stay outside most of the day in the summer so when the season comes around they are not so bothered by the heat. It is usually hot for our fall season here (35c). Our summer range from 35c to 38c, but last summer we were hitting about 40c from June through August. This summer has been much nicer. Yesterday the high was about 32c. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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mckee.lucie
Seattle, WA
MH
Posts:202
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| 07/03/2012 10:50 AM |
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Can't tell you too much about heat, since here in Seattle it usually doesn't get much past 85 degrees, however when we go to eastern washington where it can get to the 100+ degree F, Luna either spends most of her time lounging in the shade or swimming in the water. We usually find that her appetite is definitely lower in the heat, hence we decrease the amount of food she gets those days we're in the heat.
Great video by the way! Beautiful backyard too. Keely's coat looks so shiny she looks so happy! Luna is a scared of the hose..but wouldn't hesitate to jump in a pool of still water Wish you luck staying cool! Send some warm weather our way! |
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weerubbertummy
Ayrshire, Scotland
MH
Posts:726
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| 07/03/2012 10:53 AM |
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I did wonder about that. She does spend a lot of time outside in the garden esp in the warmer weather but any exercise between walks is in short bursts so she's definately not had to test her stamina in the heat. |
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Miss you forever Kintra baby xxx |
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kpwlee
Raleigh, NC
MH
Posts:992
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| 07/03/2012 10:57 AM |
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Yes meant to say that I hose him down before and after activities and he has a kiddie pool (which he stands in and uses as a drinking bowl, sinking his whole head in!)
And they do and will acclimate to the heat to some extent - Bugsy isn't locked up all day but he doesn't spend significant time outside in summer. Instead of hours outside he spends an hour or so, doing his normal security work (checking every inch of the property) and helping me with chores
Our norm is 90-95 (32-35C) but we are just in the midst of a serious heatwave. Over the weekend it was 105-108 (40-42C) locally with heat indexes pushing 120 (49C) due to the humidity. NO one needs to be out in that, its dangerous and horrible |
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It's Bugsy's world...
http://dailyzoomie.blogspot.com/ |
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weerubbertummy
Ayrshire, Scotland
MH
Posts:726
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| 07/03/2012 11:00 AM |
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Thanks luciemckee. Yeah, Keely has a rather interesting relationship with the hose thanks to OH making a game of spraying her with it when she was younger, as he did with Kintra (who also then saw the hose as her nemesis ). She loves it being randomly sprayed in short bursts near her and will also happily bite at the water, but no chance of using it to bathe her regardless of it being warmer water and lower pressure as i found out again this afternoon 
Good to hear that Luna's doing well x |
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Miss you forever Kintra baby xxx |
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weerubbertummy
Ayrshire, Scotland
MH
Posts:726
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| 07/03/2012 11:02 AM |
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Those are some crazy temperatures kpwlee - which state are you in? (please excuse my terrible geographical knowledge of the US - i've heard of Raleigh but not sure where it is)  |
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Miss you forever Kintra baby xxx |
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smatulewicz
Michigan
MH
Posts:1188
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| 07/03/2012 11:10 AM |
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LOL, what a wonderfully crazy gal she is. She must just keep you smiling and laughing. Her coat is absurd! She could be in doggy shampoo commercials There now, we will turn Bella into a surfer girl, and Keely found her calling as a model!
I also hose Bella down in the heat. If we are outdoors at home just in the sun, I will give her a cool off every half our or so. For a girl who LOVES water, the hose is not her favorite. She will tolerate it, but loves to ZOOMIE away from it when we are done and roll around in the grass.
Their pups yet, still learning to regulate themselves. There's bound to be a lot of truth in her black coat making her hot too! She'll get better at heat I'm sure. It's her first summer. |
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kpwlee
Raleigh, NC
MH
Posts:992
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| 07/03/2012 11:50 AM |
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Raleigh in North Carolina - In Manchester (UK) it rained 10 mos of the year - here, 10 mos are great and you survive the summer LOL
Bugsy is NOT a fan of sprinklers or the hose but he clearly realizes A) it is going to happen, and B) he feels better afterward because now he will sidle over and let me do it. It used to be a challenge. |
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It's Bugsy's world...
http://dailyzoomie.blogspot.com/ |
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Smylinacha
Connecticut
MH
Posts:1208
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| 07/03/2012 6:46 PM |
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| I don't think Velvet minds the heat but Windsor hates it.....he would be happy to be an indoor dog! Can't blame him as I hate summer too! |
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provotrout
JH
Posts:30
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| 07/03/2012 9:54 PM |
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Rudi stays outside all day here in Utah, where temps have been near 100. The humidity is very low though and he has mature trees, a screened porch and open air crate with a bed to relax on. He goes through about 1/2 a gallon of water a day and does his fair share of panting, but he seems to be happy.
It took him a little while to adjust to the summer highs but he has a rhythm now where he tends to poke around more during the week than spring, where he was running all over the place.
The important things from what I can tell that allow him to stand the heat are having a lot of shady areas to relax in and access to a lot of water. Once winter comes around I'm going to need a new plan as he is a total baby in the cool weather. |
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