Heat and Long-haired Dogs

A question I am frequently asked about my choice to remain in Alabama over the summer is “how does Prada do with the heat?” It’s a valid question. Alabama’s hot and muggy. We had temps in the upper 90’s last week and they’re staying in lower 90’s and upper 80’s these days. That’s hard on a human without a heavy coat and natural ventilation system.
Prada does surprisingly well with the temperatures in the area. True, she does get a bit more energetic if things cool down, but really she handles the heat well. Most dogs have two layers, or two coats, of fur: an outer “guard hair” coat and inner fleecy type coat. The inner coat is designed to hold heat in during the winter and hold heat out during the summer, and the outer coat protects this coat and provides a level of waterproofing. Dogs also have their panting system. This is not because of thirst most of the time. Usually dogs pant because that is their cooling system. They odn’t lose heat as well as we do, and don’t perspire like we do, so they run the air in and out of themselves rather quickly to cool it down These are the natural heat-guards God installed in them. I have my own responsibilities. One of them is to provide cool, clean water at all times. Prada has a water dish at home, at work, and a collapsible one that rides around in my purse or backpack (or whatever bag I have for the day). I always have a full water bottle on hand to supply her with. I also use the water to bathe her paws, behind her ears, and belly with on particularly hot days. Those places are were a lot of blood vessels are close to the surface and if you apply water there it cools the blood, which is then circulated throughout the body and cools the dog down. Prada isn’t overly fond of this because she doesn’t like getting wet, but in general she won’t’ argue ‘cause she feels better afterwards. In the new dorm room I have a tiled bathroom floor (the very cheap stone tile type stuff) and Prada has taken to practicing her imitation of a rug on that cool surface after a long walk. Our longest walks these days are the 1.3, 1.5 mile walks to and from work (the variation is in which route we choose to take). Were it not for very kind friends I would be making the trek twice a day but of late we only walk that once a day, getting either a ride to or from work, and choosing to walk the other way. All in all, Prada does rather well with the heat, and I keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn’t overheat.