05/27/2026
Dogs regulate body temperature very differently than humans. People sweat through millions of sweat glands all over the body, but dogs primarily cool themselves through panting and through the small sweat glands located in their paw pads. Their coat also plays a major role in temperature regulation and environmental protection.
Panting: A Dog’s Main Cooling System
Panting is the primary way dogs release excess body heat.
When a dog pants:
* Rapid breathing moves air across the moist surfaces of the tongue, mouth, and upper respiratory tract.
* Moisture evaporates from these surfaces.
* That evaporation removes heat from the body, similar to how sweat cools human skin.
A dog’s breathing rate can increase dramatically when hot, stressed, excited, or after exercise. Blood vessels in the tongue and face also expand, helping move heat toward the surface where it can dissipate more efficiently.
Panting is extremely important because dogs do not have widespread sweat glands like humans do. Without panting, dogs can overheat very quickly, especially in:
* High humidity
* Direct sun exposure
* Poorly ventilated areas
* Excessive exercise
* Thick-coated breeds in stagnant heat
This is also why brachycephalic breeds (such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and French Bulldogs) are more prone to overheating. Their shortened airways make cooling through panting less efficient.
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Paw Pads and Cooling
Dogs also cool themselves through specialized sweat glands located in their paw pads.
While this does not cool the body nearly as efficiently as panting, it still serves an important purpose:
* Paw pads release small amounts of moisture.
* Evaporation from the feet helps assist temperature regulation.
* The pads also help release heat through contact with cooler surfaces.
You may notice damp paw prints during stressful or hot situations. That is often caused by activation of these sweat glands.
The paw pads themselves are uniquely designed:
* Thick and durable to handle rough terrain
* Insulated to protect against heat and cold
* Rich in fatty tissue that helps regulate temperature
However, pavement and concrete can become dangerously hot. Even though paw pads are tough, they can still burn, blister, and suffer tissue damage from excessive surface temperatures.
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A Dog’s Coat Is Not “Making Them Hot”
One of the biggest misconceptions is that a dog’s coat simply traps heat and should always be removed in summer. In reality, a healthy coat is part of the dog’s natural temperature regulation system.
A dog’s coat acts as insulation.
Insulation works both ways:
* It helps retain warmth in cold weather.
* It also slows excessive heat pe*******on in hot weather.
Think of it similarly to insulation in a house or a thermos. The goal is stability, not simply “warming.”
For many breeds, especially double-coated breeds, the coat:
* Creates layers of air that help regulate body temperature
* Shields skin from direct sun exposure
* Reduces risk of sunburn
* Protects against environmental debris and UV rays
* Helps buffer sudden temperature changes
The outer coat (guard hairs):
* Repels dirt, moisture, and debris
* Protects from UV exposure
* Acts as a barrier against outside elements
The undercoat:
* Provides insulation
* Helps maintain stable internal temperature
* Can seasonally shed to adapt to climate changes
When maintained properly through brushing and de-shedding, the coat allows airflow while still protecting the skin and body.
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The Coat as a Natural Filter and Shield
A dog’s coat is also a protective filtration system against the outside world.
The coat helps:
* Trap dirt and environmental debris before it reaches the skin
* Protect against insect bites
* Reduce exposure to allergens and irritants
* Prevent abrasions and scratches
* Shield sensitive skin from UV damage
* Repel water and moisture in many breeds
Guard hairs especially are designed to take the abuse of the environment so the skin underneath does not have to.
This is why improper shaving can sometimes create problems:
* Increased risk of sunburn
* Greater exposure to allergens and irritants
* Loss of natural insulation
* Disruption of coat texture and regrowth
* Difficulty regulating body temperature efficiently
For double-coated breeds, shaving may permanently damage coat structure in some cases.
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Proper Coat Maintenance Matters
A healthy coat only functions properly when it is maintained correctly.
Compacted undercoat, matting, or poor grooming can:
* Trap excess heat
* Restrict airflow
* Hold moisture against the skin
* Cause hot spots and infections
* Reduce the coat’s ability to insulate properly
Regular grooming removes dead coat, allows airflow, and helps the natural insulation system work the way it was designed to.
A properly maintained coat is not just cosmetic — it is part of the dog’s biological protection and cooling system.
