The Best Dog Breeds for Hot Climates

If you live in a region with a hot climate and are thinking about getting a four-legged friend, you should start by researching dog breeds that tolerate heat well. The heat can be unbearable at times, and it is important to provide a safe environment for your pet so that he is healthy and happy with life.

Dog breeds for hot climates

To determine which dogs tolerate heat well, you need to start with a few factors. For example, from animal hair. A short-haired dog tolerates high temperatures more easily. The thicker the coat, the harder it is for the dog’s body to regulate its temperature. While many four-legged pets can make great companions in hot climates, here are 10 breeds that are more tolerant of the heat than others and make great family pets.

1. The Chihuahua is one of the smallest dogs and won’t take up much space if you live in an apartment or small house. Chihuahuas are native to Mexico, so from a biological point of view, they are well adapted to hot weather.
2. With a reputation as an excellent family dog, the Golden Retriever is popular in all climates. Although some retrievers have a fairly long coat, it is not as thick and voluminous as a double coated dog. These pets love to swim, so if you live in a hot climate and have access to bodies of water or beaches, a golden retriever will be a good companion for you.
3. The Whippet is another hot climate dog breed. The muzzle of whippets can be called dolichocephalic, because they have elongated noses. Resource K9 of Mine compares their long nose to an air conditioner, as the air cools down when inhaled before it enters the lungs.
4. Italian Greyhounds are heat tolerant dogs. They are very sensitive to cold weather, but in hot climates they feel very good. These small to medium sized animals are great for small homes. Cheerful, affectionate dogs do not even need a lot of floor space, because they will always prefer to take a nap on the owner’s warm lap.
5. The Great Dane is a dog for hot climates and for those who are looking for a larger pet. Great Danes are actually famous for their love of heat. Living in colder latitudes, Great Danes will not mind cozying up by the fireplace, but in places with a hot climate, they will gladly stretch out right in the sun.
6. Basenjis are four-legged pets native to Africa, so they are well adapted to hunting in the hot rainforests of the Congo. Large erect ears, blown by fresh winds, help them to keep cool by releasing excess heat.
7. The Pharaoh Hound is another heat-tolerant dog. This breed comes from Egypt. Like the Basenji, pharaohs have naturally erect ears, and these skinny animals generally tolerate heat better. Portal K9 of Mine writes that dogs with a lean physique are characterized by a larger skin area relative to body weight. The more skin a dog has, the faster it cools down.
8. The Afghan Hound is suitable for warm climates already because of the country of origin. Afghanistan is a country of extreme temperatures. Interestingly, the Afghan Hound perfectly tolerates both heat and cold.
9. Podenco Ibicenko is an excellent companion for those living in hot climates. Dogs of this breed have three traits that help them endure the heat: large ears, short hair and long legs. On their home island of Ibiza, it gets quite hot in the summer, so they feel great under the scorching sun.
10. Dalmatian is a companion for active summer walks. His long legs, short coat and long history of running under a carriage as an escort provide him with boundless energy even on hot days.

Dogs that don’t like hot weather

Dogs that are prone to overheating are not well suited to living in hot regions. For example, dogs with double coats are Siberian Huskies or Keeshonds. They do not tolerate high ambient temperatures well, because the warm undercoat not only protects them well from the cold, but also retains heat in the heat.

Dogs with a short nose or flat muzzle, also called brachycephalic, are also susceptible to overheating. The reason is that the rapid breathing that helps dogs cool off in hot weather takes more energy out of them, making it harder to get the relief they need. Brachycephalic breeds include Boxers, Pugs, and Boston Terriers.

The color of the dog’s coat also matters. Breeds with darker fur are more likely to absorb and retain heat on a hot day, while breeds with lighter fur are more susceptible to sunburn. Therefore, it is important to be sure to use a veterinarian-approved dog sunscreen if you plan on spending long periods of time in the sun with your pet.

Very large or active dogs in hot climates require special precautions. The more energy an animal expends—hunting, running, playing, and simply carrying its heavy weight—the more effort it will need to cool down.

Taking care of your dog in hot weather

If you’re planning on getting one of those breeds that can handle heat well, you still need to take extra precautions to ensure your pet is as comfortable as possible and protected from heat exhaustion. 

First of all, make sure your dog has access to shade and plenty of water on hot days. During peak daytime temperatures, do not let your pet out of cool rooms. But if you plan on getting active or playing outdoors with your dog, it’s best to do so in the early morning or evening when the heat subsides.