06/04/2026
Same yard. Same temperature. Two very different dogs. 🥵
Watch the difference between my Belgian Malinois and French Bulldog after just a few minutes outside in the shade.
Not all dogs handle heat the same way. Brachycephalic breeds — French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers — have shortened airways that make it significantly harder for them to cool themselves down. What feels like a normal summer day for one dog can become a medical emergency for another.
But here’s the thing — ANY DOG CAN GET HEAT STROKE.
Signs of heat stroke to watch for:
🔴 Panting that’s heavy, loud, or won’t slow down
🔴 Excessive drooling
🔴 Bright red or purple gums
🔴 Seeking shade and refusing to move or walk
🔴 Wobbling, stumbling, or collapse
🔴 Vomiting or diarrhea
If your dog is overheating, act immediately:
💧 Pour cool water over their entire body
💨 Get the car AC blowing directly on their face
🚫 Do NOT wrap them in wet towels — towels trap heat against the body and make it worse
🚗 Get to a vet immediately — even if they seem to improve, heat stroke can cause organ damage that isn’t visible from the outside
Quick tips for summer:
☀️ Walk short-nosed breeds in the early morning or after sunset
☀️ Keep outdoor time short on hot days — shorter than you think
☀️ Always have fresh water and shade available
☀️ If the pavement is too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for their paws
☀️ Never leave any dog in a parked car — not even for a minute, not even if the windows are cracked
☀️ If your dog stops walking, seeks shade, or lies down and won’t get up — listen to them. That’s not laziness. That’s your dog telling you they’re done.
Summer on the Western Slope is beautiful. But heat stroke kills dogs every year — and it happens faster than most people realize. Know the signs. Act fast.
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