We had our first warm (upper 70s) weekend and Mac didn't do so good. We went to play with a friend and she wore him out in less than a half an hour. After chasing the balls and each other he said "I've had enough" and went to lay on the cool concrete in the shade and drink water. The next morning (while it was still cool) we went for a short walk and again after sundown, both times he seemed to be panting alot and didn't show his normal energy. He is only 4 1/2 years old, the vet says he is good shape. Are the rest of your babies so easily affected by the heat? And does anybody know how I can get him ready for the the upcoming summer?
Getting In Shape For Warm Weather
- Thread starter DIZKOS
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BeckyNC
Boxer Insane
You know, Tae acts much the same way and she's only 16 mos. I took her for a 25 min walk yesterday at 5PM. It was in the low 80s and we did walk in the shade. When we got home, she drank a ton of water and lay on the floor panting for a very long time (30-40 min?). She's done this once before. Once she stopped panting, she slept for another 30 min. We have a vet check-up this evening, so I plan to ask the vet if this is normal for a Boxer. I'm sure, though, that other people on BW can give us the best advice.
I have noticed overall that if it's hot, Tae tires very quickly. If it's not hot, that's another issue altogether--her energy level has NO boundaries!!!
I have noticed overall that if it's hot, Tae tires very quickly. If it's not hot, that's another issue altogether--her energy level has NO boundaries!!!
HarleyMama
BANNED
I have read that Boxers as well as other breeds with short muzzels have a hard time breathing in the extreame heat. B/C their noses are short I think it makes it harder for them to breathe fast... or something of that sort.
I'm no expert, so this is just my 2 cents...
I know that even as a puppy whos always on the go, Harley tires quickly since its been in the 80's here.
Melissa & Harley
I'm no expert, so this is just my 2 cents...
I know that even as a puppy whos always on the go, Harley tires quickly since its been in the 80's here.Melissa & Harley
Lael
Super Boxer
Yes, Boxers struggle in the heat. We have to be careful in the heat with our babies. We humans sweat to cool off, but dogs pant. Here is an explanation:
"Dogs do not have the same kind of sweat glands [as humans]. They PANT, and they have some sweat glands on the bottoms of their paws, but that's it. Bracecyphalic dogs, like Boxers, have a shorter nose, and often, additional flesh inside their mouth and throat which makes their respiration less efficient. In other words, Boxers overheat more quickly than many other breeds of dogs, and this is very important to bear in mind. Weather that might not be too hot for another dog, MIGHT be too hot for your Boxer. High humidity may make it harder for your Boxer to cool off, too."
(The website from which this quote was taken can be found at the Amercian Boxer Rescue webpage, here.)
Cat & Lael
"Dogs do not have the same kind of sweat glands [as humans]. They PANT, and they have some sweat glands on the bottoms of their paws, but that's it. Bracecyphalic dogs, like Boxers, have a shorter nose, and often, additional flesh inside their mouth and throat which makes their respiration less efficient. In other words, Boxers overheat more quickly than many other breeds of dogs, and this is very important to bear in mind. Weather that might not be too hot for another dog, MIGHT be too hot for your Boxer. High humidity may make it harder for your Boxer to cool off, too."
(The website from which this quote was taken can be found at the Amercian Boxer Rescue webpage, here.)
Cat & Lael
BeckyNC
Boxer Insane
Melissa--that's the assumption I was making as well (short muzzle, difficulty cooling in hot weather). It concerns me b/c I want to be able to take Tae on walks. I will just be diligent about turning around before she gets too tired. I don't want her to have heat stroke or something. I've also realized it might be best to carry water on a walk. I have started taking Tae for walks between 9 and 10PM, since it's been warmer. Without the sun, it is cooler out and, hey, there are fewer distractions at that hour!!
Bella has been PANTing more than usual...
Hello Everyone...This weekend was the warmest it has been since we picked Bella up from the breeder...Which was causing Bella to tire MUCH, MUCH quicker than usual...the scary part is she wouldn't stop panting for a couple of hours, or most of the afternoon...I assumed it was due to the warm weather but wasn't positive...There were no tempermant changes and she had her normal "spunk" so i wasn't too worried...
Just to triple double check, I did a google search at work yesterday and that is when I found BW...This site is TERRIFIC...my wife and i had done our research in regards to the breed but, now that we have had Bella for 6 months, we have had some questions...And after reading through some of the forums, my Bella is PERFECTLY NORMAL...!
Thanks for the great info...my wife and I plan to participate at BW as much as possible...
so
Hello Everyone...This weekend was the warmest it has been since we picked Bella up from the breeder...Which was causing Bella to tire MUCH, MUCH quicker than usual...the scary part is she wouldn't stop panting for a couple of hours, or most of the afternoon...I assumed it was due to the warm weather but wasn't positive...There were no tempermant changes and she had her normal "spunk" so i wasn't too worried...
Just to triple double check, I did a google search at work yesterday and that is when I found BW...This site is TERRIFIC...my wife and i had done our research in regards to the breed but, now that we have had Bella for 6 months, we have had some questions...And after reading through some of the forums, my Bella is PERFECTLY NORMAL...!
Thanks for the great info...my wife and I plan to participate at BW as much as possible...
so
firedog
Boxer Booster
It warmed up here over the last week-end and Brindy panted the whole time. Your right they do wear down faster. But I think if it had warmed up gradually instead of one day 50 and the next day it was 85 degrees here she would have adjusted better.
This is my first summer with a dog we will see how it goes.
One thing I do, is let her come in lick a piece of ice to cool down, but I don't let her drink any water until she settles down, because otherwise she will drink so much so fast she'll start trying to cough it up.
This is my first summer with a dog we will see how it goes.
One thing I do, is let her come in lick a piece of ice to cool down, but I don't let her drink any water until she settles down, because otherwise she will drink so much so fast she'll start trying to cough it up.
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