20 Dog Breeds That Don’t Do Well in Hot Weather

If you are thinking about adopting a dog and you live in an area where it’s often hot, especially near summer months, you should take into account the breed’s suitability for such hot living conditions before making a choice. Even if you already have a dog, knowing how well they do when it’s hot can help you deal with it better. Here are 20 dog breeds that don’t do well in hot weather.

Dogs That Don't Do Well in Hot Weather

1. Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamute is bred specifically to pull sleds in the Arctic, so hot weather is not exactly a suitable environment for this breed. These dogs have extremely thick coats, and it is important to keep them brushed out to reduce the risk of overheating.

2. English Bulldog

Brachycephalic dogs, which is a term used for dogs with a flat face, are extremely prone to heat stroke due to their narrow airways and nostrils. One of those dogs is the English Bulldog. They often experience difficulties in hot weather because they can’t breathe properly when they overheat. A cooling vest or harness might help but don’t walk your dog when it’s too hot, anyway.

3. French Bulldog

The French cousins of the English Bulldog share the same problems. They also don’t do well in hot weather. In addition to their breathing problems, they are also high-energy dogs, which is a problem in hot weather because there is no way to spend that energy without overheating the dog. It’s best to keep them active indoors if you have air conditioning and walk them in early in the morning or late in the evening.

4. Pomeranian

Pomeranians have a double problem – they have a short muzzle and a thick coat. This is the recipe for overheating. Shaving their coat won’t help since it won’t reduce overheating and it may ruin their coat. Make sure that your pooch is well-hydrated in hot weather, and keep their undercoat brushed.

5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

This breed is especially prone to obesity, which can make them prone to overheating, especially since they also have a short muzzle. It is important to keep your dog’s weight on a regular level and don’t let them outside when it’s too hot.

6. Chow Chow

Chow Chow is another breed with a very thick coat that has to be brushed regularly to allow the cool air to reach the dog’s skin. Don’t try to shave their coats in the summer because that only damages the coat and allows the sun rays to hit their skin directly.

7. Pug

Pugs are prone to many health problems caused by their snub noses. Breathing troubles are especially common in pugs. They are also prone to obesity, and that makes them extremely susceptible to heat stroke. Limit your dog’s activities during the day in hot weather and try to keep him well-hydrated.

8. Boxer

Boxers are known for their high energy levels, and that might lead to overheating if they don’t stop running around to cool down and drink water. They also have a short muzzle, which can lead to breathing problems. Make your Boxer take a break often if they are outside when it’s hot.

9. Akita Inu

Akita has a beautiful, fluffy, and soft coat, which is also super thick, but that is not a good thing when the weather is hot. This breed is better suited to a colder climate, so take extra precautions if you live in a warm climate. Make your dog drink plenty of water and provide shade where he can shelter himself from the heat.

10. Boston Terrier

This is another brachycephalic breed that gets overweight easily. Also, most Boston Terriers are black or white, which attracts heat. Keep an eye on your dog, and don’t let him get too active during the day to avoid overheating. Caring for a brachycephalic dog requires constant dedication.

11. Pekingese

This breed is prone to getting overweight. They also have a very long coat. On the bright side, they don’t have a lot of energy, so you shouldn’t have a problem keeping them away from running in the sun. However, make sure that they get enough exercise so they don’t get overweight. Clipping their hair can also help them stay cool in hot weather.

12. Shih Tzu

This breed is not suitable for hot weather because it has both long hair and a short nose, so it can overheat easily and get a heatstroke. You can cut the hair a bit shorter to help your dog in hot weather but don’t shave his coat completely.

13. Samoyed

Just like with the other long-haired breeds, Samoyed’s coat keeps him insulated and provides protection from sunburn. However, this breed is not fit for hot weather; it is more suited for colder climates. Keep your dog inside most of the time if it’s hot, and make sure that he drinks plenty of water.

14. Japanese Chin

This toy breed has profusely long hair, which is not good for hot weather. Add a short muzzle to this, and you have a dog that is better left inside on hot days. You should also keep your Chin on a healthy diet because they also tend to get overweight easily.

15. Keeshond

The Keeshonds, just like other Spitz breeds, are not suitable for hot climates because of their very thick coats. Keep their coat brushed and make sure to avoid taking them out during the hottest parts of the day.

16. Yakutian Laika

This breed's origin is obvious from their name. Yakutia is a part of the Russian Siberia, which means that these dogs are accustomed to the harshest conditions known to men. However, that also means that they are not suitable companions in hot climates.

17. Affenpinscher

Affenpinschers have a very rough coat and small muzzle, so they tend to overheat easily if they spend too much time in hot weather. Clipping their coat can help them cool, but it is also important to keep them hydrated at all times and avoid activities in the Sun.

18. American Eskimo Dog

While the Eskimos don’t have anything to do with this breed, these dogs are still better suited for colder climates because they have such a thick coats. However, it is possible to care for this dog even if you live in a warm climate. Just keep him well-hydrated and monitor his activity in the Sun.

19. Chinese Imperial Dog

This is another toy breed that comes with a short muzzle and thick coat. They are closely related to the Shih Tzu and suffer from the same problems when it comes to hot weather. It is best to keep this dog inside during the day in hot climates.

20. Siberian Husky

Siberian Husky is a very energetic dog, which, combined with the long hair it has, can lead to overheating. These dogs were bred as sled dogs, so a cold climate suits them better than a hot one. However, if you provide enough shade and keep his coat brushed, Siberian Husky can live in hot weather.

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