Border Collies have a sunny disposition. When we think of them, we immediately picture a black and white dog chasing animals or catching a Frisbee under the blazing sun. But do Border Collies tolerate the heat?
Humans can chug down a cold glass of H20 and lounge in front of the AC. Dogs, on the other hand, don’t have it easy. Our canine companions have to pant profusely to take off the heat from their bodies.
If the air temperature is too high — talk about 92° F (33.3° C) or higher — Doggo could become a candidate for heatstroke! But did you know your collie could suffer from heatstroke even when the temperature doesn’t seem that intense to us?
Spring is coming, and summer will quickly follow. Therefore, you must know what to do to keep your beastfriend safe on your next summer adventure!
In this article, I will talk about what puts your Border Collie at risk for overheating. I will also share tips to help your furry pal have fun under the sun.
What Is Heatstroke?
Hyperthermia, commonly known as heat stroke, is a state of having elevated core body temperature. It occurs when a dog’s natural ability to regulate heat is overwhelmed with the heat coming from the environment.
Dogs cool themselves through panting and breathing. When a dog pants, the air passing over the saliva helps him lose internal body heat. But if a dog’s innate cooling mechanism is insufficient, he will suffer from heat exhaustion and intense dehydration.
A dog’s body temperature is between 100.2° F (37.8° C) and 102.8° F (39.3° C). If the body temperature rises past the normal range, your Border Collie is in serious danger of heatstroke. The most telling symptoms of heatstroke include:
- excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
- mental dullness
- muscle weakness and uncoordinated movement
- collapse
As with humans, heatstroke in dogs needs immediate veterinary attention. Abnormally high body temperatures rising past 106° F (41.1° C) may cause multiple-organ failure, resulting in death. While dogs with mild signs may recover, those who have suffered internal bleeding and organ damage are unfortunately difficult to save.
Are Border Collies At Risk For Heatstroke?
All dogs are at risk for heatstroke, but some canine groups have twice the odds.
First, we have brachycephalic dogs, such as the Pug, Boxer, and Pekingese. With congenitally deformed nostrils and windpipes, these doggies don’t thrive well in the heat because they take in less oxygen with each breath. Albeit willing, these squished-face pooches also lack the endurance to be your workout partner.
Next up are the majestic canines native to the arctic tundras of Alaska and Siberia, such as the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky. These doggies are notable for their thick, fuzzy fur that protects them from the harsh winter weather.
However, the double coat that warms them up during the extreme cold will cause them difficulty during the dog days of summer. These oversized teddy bears blow their winter coats during spring; regardless, they remain way too fluffy for areas with triple-digit temps.
Senior pets, pudgy pooches, and six-month-old puppies or younger will also have a hard time when temperatures rise. A dog with a heart or lung disease is also susceptible to heatstroke.
Now, do Border Collies overheat easily, too?
Border Collies aren’t brachycephalic. These dogs also molt heavily during the spring as they ready for the sweltering season. However, your beloved pooch may still fall victim to heatstroke even on a cool day in spring. Why?
Because aside from the ambient air temperature, the following factors also play a large role:
- humidity
- sun exposure
- level of physical exertion
- availability of water
The exuberant nature of a Border Collie is a great danger in itself. Cardiac muscles generate a tremendous amount of heat, which increases your dog’s body temperature. Combine that with the following factors mentioned above, and you’ll get a likely candidate for heatstroke.
How Do I Keep My Border Collie Cool in the Summer?
A Border Collie from Florida is no stranger to the Miami heat and may have less risk than a coastal collie from North Dakota vacationing in the Sunshine State. But even if your pooch has developed a higher tolerance to heat compared to others, it doesn’t mean you should give precautions a brush-off.
Read on to help your beastfriend beat the heat!
Plan Your Walks
Limit exercise and playtime when it is hot and humid. Take walks during the cooler part of the day. The best time is early morning and after sunset.
You also might want to consider dog booties for your Border Collie. Also, don’t forget to bring enough water for both of you.
Offer Plenty Of Water And Ample Shade
Your outdoor-loving collie may safely hang out in the backyard if there are plenty of trees. Chilling under a large tree is better than a doghouse.
Not only do trees provide shade, but they also promote airflow. Likewise, make sure your pooch has access to plenty of clean water outdoors and indoors.
Speaking of “water,” Border Collies like to swim. But if you don’t have a swimming pool at home, you can set up an inflatable pool, instead. A trip to the lake or beach is also a fantastic way to chill and bond with the entire family.
Keep Your House Cool
A good rule of thumb is to keep your collie indoors when the clock strikes 1 o’clock in the afternoon until five, as temperatures soar between these hours. Leave the AC on. Turn on a fan and place a cooling pad if you don’t have air conditioning at home.
Never Leave A Dog Inside the Car
The temperature inside a car can soar to a fatal 120° Fahrenheit within 10 minutes or less even with the windows slightly open. If you need to be out and about in the heat, it is wise to leave your pet at home with the AC on or bring him inside the establishment if you can.
Prepare Frozen Treats
Instead of doggie biscuits and jerkies, here are treats you can give your collie to help him beat the heat:
- frozen mashed bananas
- chicken or beef broth ice cubes
- cut and frozen watermelon or apples
- chilled peanut butter
Keep Your Collie Appropriately Groomed
Should you shave your Border Collie in the summer? No. Dogs with double coats should never be shaved as it changes the way their fur grows back. Regardless, you should always brush your pooch to prevent matting.
Conclusion
So, can Border Collies tolerate the heat?
Border Collies employed to work on farms as adults or have spent most of their early life outdoors may tend to become well-adapted to the heat, although they still need to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day.
But don’t forget that our canine companions don’t sweat the way we do, and their ability to cool off is much more limited than ours. So, we must pay our utmost attention to our furry pals, especially during the dog days of summer.
Border Collies, in particular, love to keep themselves occupied regardless of the weather. Even if your collie is not employed to do farmwork, his hunger for games and outdoor adventures makes him a likely candidate for heat exhaustion that could quickly escalate to heat stroke.