What Summer Feels Like for Different Types of Dogs🐶
When warm weather arrives, many of us look forward to longer days, sunshine, and outdoor adventures. But for our dogs, summer can feel very different depending on their breed, age, personality, and health.
Not all dogs experience heat in the same way — and understanding how your dog copes can help you make better choices for their wellbeing during hotter months.
Double-Coated Dogs: Carrying a Winter Coat in Summer
Breeds like Huskies, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Border Collies can struggle in warm weather because their thick coats trap heat close to the body.
Even if they still seem energetic, these dogs often tire faster and may become uncomfortable long before owners realise.
You may notice:
Heavier panting
Slower walks
Seeking shade constantly
Lying on cool floors
Reduced interest in exercise
While many owners think shaving helps, double coats actually help regulate temperature and protect against sunburn. Instead, focus on keeping them cool with shade, fresh water, and avoiding the hottest parts of the day.
Flat-Faced Breeds: Heat Can Become Dangerous Quickly
Breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Bulldogs are far more vulnerable to overheating because their shorter airways make panting less effective.
For these dogs, warm weather isn’t just uncomfortable — it can become dangerous very quickly.
Even moderate temperatures can leave them struggling, especially if humidity is high.
Owners of brachycephalic breeds should be especially cautious with exercise, travel, and time spent outdoors during warmer weather.
Puppies: Excited Minds, Poor Self-Control
Puppies rarely understand their own limits. Even when they’re exhausted or overheating, many will continue running, zooming, and playing until they completely crash.
This is why summer can be surprisingly risky for younger dogs.
Puppies may need more enforced rest during warm weather, even if they still seem eager to play. Keeping routines calm and balanced is often safer than overdoing exercise.
Senior Dogs: Summer Can Feel Exhausting
Older dogs often struggle more with heat because they regulate body temperature less efficiently.
Arthritis, heart conditions, and reduced mobility can all make warm weather more tiring and uncomfortable.
You may notice:
More sleeping
Reduced appetite
Less enthusiasm for walks
Slower movement
Irritability or restlessness
Senior dogs often cope best with slower-paced routines and plenty of opportunities to rest comfortably throughout the day.
Nervous or Reactive Dogs: Heat Can Increase Stress
Many owners don’t realise that heat can impact behaviour too.
Hot weather can make nervous or reactive dogs more irritable, overstimulated, and emotionally sensitive. When dogs are physically uncomfortable, they often have less patience and tolerance.
This can look like:
Increased barking
Reactivity on walks
Restlessness at home
Difficulty settling
Clinginess
Sometimes what appears to be “bad behaviour” can actually be a dog struggling to cope with discomfort and overstimulation in warmer conditions.
Be Mindful That Some Dogs Still Need to Be Out and About
While many owners can avoid taking their dogs out during the hottest parts of the day, it’s important to remember that this isn’t always possible for everyone.
Some dogs, such as assistance dogs, working dogs, or dogs accompanying owners to essential appointments, may still need to be outside in warmer weather. Rather than judging, it’s important to be understanding — every dog and owner’s situation is different.
If you do need to take your dog out in the heat, try to:
Stick to shaded routes where possible
Carry fresh water
Take regular breaks
Avoid hot pavements
Keep outings short and calm
Use cooling aids if needed
Why Mental Enrichment Becomes So Important in Summer
One of the biggest challenges owners face during hot weather is figuring out how to keep their dogs happy and fulfilled when long walks and high-energy activities may not be safe.
That’s where mental enrichment can make a huge difference.
Activities like licking, sniffing, chewing, and problem-solving help dogs use mental energy without overheating their bodies. In fact, short enrichment sessions can often be just as tiring as physical exercise — especially during warmer months.
Summer enrichment ideas can include:
Frozen lick mats
Stuffed toys
Snuffle mats
Puzzle feeders
Scent games
Doggy ice cream or frozen treats
Not only can these activities help keep dogs cool, but they also encourage relaxation and help prevent boredom when outdoor exercise needs to be reduced.
For many dogs, summer shouldn’t be about doing more — it should be about slowing down safely while still meeting their mental and emotional needs. Because every dog experiences summer differently, and sometimes the best thing we can do is simply help them stay cool, calm, and comfortable.