9 Dog Breeds That Are at High Risk of Overheating in Dubai

While playful, friendly and confident, brachycephalic breeds – or dogs with short noses, compact skulls and compressed upper respiratory systems – like Pugs are inefficient at panting, and don’t cope well with high temperatures.

Because of their small size however, they adapt well to both apartment and villa life and don’t require too much exercise. If you are required to take them out when temperatures are a little warmer, be mindful that brachycephalic breeds are more prone to overheating, so take extra care at all times.

An ancient Chinese breed, the Pekinese are happy, loveable lapdogs. They have a thick undercoat and long, dense overcoat which requires regular grooming. Because of this, special care in warm weather should be taken.

Like Pugs, Bulldogs are a brachycephalic breed with a heavy build, trademark under bite and lots of loose skin. Owners of Bulldogs in Dubai must take extra care not to over-exercise them.

People familiar with the Bulldog breed will be well aware that they have some trouble breathing when running and playing, even when the weather is comfortable… So keep them in a cool environment, and enjoy their snorting and drooling in the comfort of your home through summer.

This playful breed are popular as family pets and companions, but like the Pekinese, they have a dense undercoat and a long, straight outer coat which requires regular grooming.

The Shih Tzu may also snort and sneeze, and can overheat in warm weather, thanks to its short muzzle.

Boston Terriers are lively, intelligent dogs that have a gentle and easy-going temperament. However, this brachycephalic breed can become overweight easily and since most have a black and white coat, their colour traps heat in.

This little lapdog, favoured by French royalty in the 19th Century, is a small breed, with a compact body, and large rounded ears. They also have short muzzles and broad, flat faces. This breed in particular is known for becoming attached to one person in particular, so it’s up to you as their pawrent to ensure they are kept cooled during hot weather.

As well as prevent over-heating in French Bulldogs, you need to also keep the spaces between their wrinkles on the face and neck kept clean to prevent skin infections.

Boxers are a high-energy, short-nosed breed which makes them more susceptible to overheating during warmer weather. These playful canines love to play so much that they might even refuse to drink – at the risk of missing play time!

Because they’re so active, Boxers should be kept a close eye on during summer. If possible, limit extended outdoor time to early mornings or late evenings in Dubai and provide plenty of water.

This easy-going breed is small bodied, with a round head, short nose and fluffy drop ears. This popular and friendly companion however has a medium-length coat, and due to their short snouts, require access to air conditioning and plenty of cool places when temperatures increase.

This recognisable breed, known for its amazing coat and lion-like appearance, is a prime target for heatstroke when temperatures get too high. Combine that with their short noses, and Chow Chows may struggle to breath and overheat in Dubai’s hot weather.

Due to the nature of their coat, quite like Pomeranians, if you shave it – it will actually make them hotter. Their overcoat helps their bodies to self-regulate in different temperatures, and so instead of shaving, you must instead limit their time in heat and watch for signs of overheating.

Most, if not all, of the above breeds all have short dog snouts, and thus are at a higher risk of overheating than other breeds.

However, thick coated dogs like the Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed, Bernese are all at risk of over-heating if walked during high temperatures.

Other dogs that some may assume are okay in heat are black dogs; due to the colour of their coats, they actually absorb all light – and heat! – unlike white and lighter dogs that reflect it.

Meaning, the darker the dog, the hotter its fur will be… No matter the breed!

Other at-risk dogs during Dubai’s high temperatures include:

• Puppies and senior dogs
• Any dog with a history of heat stress
• Dogs who are overweight
• Dogs that are physically inactive
• Dogs with cardiovascular disease
• Dogs with respiratory problems
• Some prescription drugs may increase the risk of heat stroke, so ask your vet