07/09/2025
Here is a visual of our short snouted, squishy faced dogs and why walking them and playing with them in this heat is dangerous!! Even just a short walk can cause so much stress for them 🥺
𝗗𝗜𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪
When you read or hear about the bulldog-type, short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds having more trouble with the heat, you may wonder why. On a good day, with moderate temperatures, they have a much more difficult time moving air to their lungs because of their anatomy.
This picture shows the back of the mouth of a long-nosed dog on the left (a collie-retriever cross) and a short-nosed dog on the right (a pug). You can see that this area is compressed and limited in the pug. Pugs, Bulldogs (all types), Bostons, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Pekingese, etc. all have this anatomy. The space is even more limited when they are overweight or obese. When it is hot, dogs can only cool themselves by panting. Excessive panting leads to swelling in the back of the mouth and throat. This swelling makes it even more difficult for the brachycephalic breeds to breathe, and they can suffocate.
In fact, any dog can succumb to heat stroke or compromised breathing, so PLEASE DO NOT exercise or leave dogs outside in the sun or in cars when it is hot. They trust us to make good choices and take care of them!
