Why flat-faced dogs struggle more in the Australian heat
If you own a Pug, French Bulldog or Bulldog, you've probably noticed they can feel the heat very differently to other dogs.
I certainly have with my Pug, Patsy.
On a warm day, it doesn't take long before I'm watching her panting and thinking, right, that's enough.
And that's the thing with flat-faced dogs.
They might be willing to keep following us, but sometimes we need to make the decision to slow things down for them.
Why do flat-faced dogs get hot so quickly?
Flat-faced dogs are known as brachycephalic breeds.
That simply means they have a shorter skull and muzzle than dogs with a more traditional, longer-shaped nose.
It gives Pugs, Frenchies and Bulldogs those gorgeous little faces we love, but their shortened facial structure can also affect their airways and make breathing more difficult.
This becomes particularly important when the temperature rises.
Dogs rely heavily on panting to regulate their body temperature. As they pant, evaporation from moist surfaces in their respiratory system helps them lose heat.
For a flat-faced dog with restricted airways, that cooling system may not work as efficiently.
So while your mate's Kelpie might still be bouncing around ready for another lap of the campsite, your Pug may already be struggling.
Panting isn't always “just panting”
Panting is normal.
It's how dogs cool themselves.
But with a flat-faced dog, I pay particularly close attention to how hard they're working to breathe.
If the panting becomes much heavier than normal, your dog can't seem to settle, they're slowing down or they're desperately looking for somewhere cool, it's time to act.
Get them out of the heat, stop the exercise, provide access to water and move them somewhere cool and shaded.
More serious signs such as distressed breathing, excessive drooling, weakness, vomiting, confusion, loss of coordination or collapse need urgent veterinary attention.
Heatstroke can become a medical emergency.
Australian summers don't make it easy
Hot weather is one thing.
An Australian summer adds another challenge altogether.
You've got direct sun, hot footpaths, warm cars, campsites with limited shade and days when even sitting outside feels like standing in front of an open oven.
When we're travelling or camping, there's another consideration too:
You might not have air conditioning.
That was a big one for me.
Free camping around Australia with my dogs meant I couldn't simply plug into power and run the air con whenever things got hot.
I had to think differently about keeping them comfortable.
Shade became important.
Water became important.
Timing our walks became important.
And most importantly, I learned not to wait until my dogs were already struggling before doing something about the heat.
7 ways to help keep a flat-faced dog cool
1. Walk early or late
Avoid the hottest part of the day whenever possible.
Early mornings and evenings generally give you cooler air and cooler ground, making walks much more comfortable.
2. Keep exercise sensible
Your dog doesn't need to finish the walk just because you planned a particular route.
If they're slowing down, panting heavily or looking uncomfortable, turn around.
There will always be another adventure.
3. Find the shade
Whether you're camping, at the beach or sitting in the backyard, make sure your dog has somewhere out of direct sunlight.
Remember that shade moves throughout the day, so the perfect shady campsite at 9am might be sitting in full sun by lunchtime.
4. Always carry water
I don't head out on a warm day without water for the dogs.
Offer it regularly rather than waiting until your dog is obviously thirsty.
When we're away from home, having water with us also gives me another way to help cool the dogs if necessary.
5. Check the ground
Heat isn't only coming from above.
Bitumen, concrete and sand sitting in direct sunlight can become extremely hot.
Check the surface before asking your dog to walk across it and choose grass or shaded routes when they're available.
6. Give them plenty of breaks
A rest in the shade isn't ruining the adventure.
It's part of it.
Let your dog stop, cool down and recover rather than trying to maintain your own walking pace.
This is particularly important for Pugs, Frenchies and other dogs that don't cope as well with heat.
7. Think about cooling before they get hot
This is probably the biggest change I've made over the years.
I don't wait until Patsy is already overheating before I start thinking about keeping her cool.
Prevention is much easier.
That's also one of the reasons I wanted a practical cooling vest I could use when we were travelling.
Why I created the Coolaroo Cooling Vest
The idea behind the HowlTrek Coolaroo was pretty simple.
I wanted something I could use for my own dogs when we were travelling and camping without relying on power, batteries or ice.
The Coolaroo uses evaporative cooling.
Wet it. Wring it. Wear it.
The vest holds water within its cooling layer. As that water gradually evaporates, it helps remove heat while the outer layer helps provide protection from direct sun.
When the vest starts drying out, I can simply re-wet it with water from a bottle, tap or creek.
For someone travelling with dogs, that simplicity was exactly what I wanted.
And for a heat-sensitive little Pug like Patsy, anything that helps me manage her comfort During warm-weather adventures is worth having in the kit.
A cooling vest doesn't make extreme heat safe
This is really important.
A cooling vest isn't a licence to take your Pug for a long walk in extreme heat.
Neither are shade or carrying extra water.
They're tools that can help us manage normal warm-weather conditions.
Sometimes the best decision is simply:
It's too hot. We're staying home.
Our dogs won't hold it against us.
Probably.
Know what's normal for your dog
Every Pug isn't the same.
Every Frenchie isn't the same.
Every Bulldog isn't the same.
Their age, weight, fitness, health and individual airway anatomy can all affect how well they cope with heat.
Get to know what's normal for your dog.
How much do they normally pant?
How quickly do they recover?
When do they start looking for shade?
When do they slow down?
The more familiar you are with those little signals, the easier it becomes to recognise when something isn't right.
Because our dogs would happily follow us just about anywhere.
Sometimes loving them means knowing when it's time to stop.
Help them keep their cool
Created after travelling Australia with my own dogs, the HowlTrek Coolaroo Cooling Vest provides simple, water-powered evaporative cooling for warm-weather walks, camping and adventures.
No batteries. No ice.
Wet. Wring. Wear.
Frequently asked questions
Why do Pugs and French Bulldogs overheat easily?
Pugs, French Bulldogs and other brachycephalic dogs have shortened skulls and airways. Because dogs rely heavily on panting to lose heat, airway restrictions can make cooling themselves less efficient.
What temperature is too hot for a Pug or French Bulldog?
There isn't one temperature that's safe or unsafe for every dog. Humidity, direct sun, exercise intensity, age, health, body condition and the individual dog's airway all matter. Watch your dog rather than relying on a single temperature number.
How can I keep my Pug cool in summer?
Choose cooler times for walks, provide shade and fresh water, reduce strenuous exercise, avoid hot surfaces, take frequent breaks and consider appropriate cooling aids during warm weather.
Are cooling vests good for Pugs and French Bulldogs?
An evaporative cooling vest can be one useful part of keeping a heat-sensitive dog comfortable in appropriate warm conditions. It should complement rather than replace shade, water, sensible exercise and careful supervision.
What are serious signs of overheating in a dog?
Distressed or unusually heavy breathing, excessive drooling, weakness, vomiting, confusion, poor coordination or collapse can indicate a serious heat-related illness. If your dog appears seriously unwell, move them out of the heat and seek urgent veterinary advice.
Helping dogs and their owners enjoy more adventures together.
0 comments