I was recently visiting an Ontario town, and the temperature was way over 30.

I did not have my dog with me, and I desperately need to walk each day, with him usually, this time without.

On my walk I noticed a couple walking a lovely big black Labrador cross. It had longer hair than a lab would. I could see the dog was suffering and the people seemed oblivious to it.

I just commented to them that the dog was very hot and offered some water. They declined it and walked on.  I did, thankfully, see them go into a house just after that.

How can people be so unthinking?

A black dog gets hot in the sun, of course.

 

I have a black dog and he really feels the heat. I walk him early in the day or in the evening on hot days.

 

According to Barbara Royal, DVM, who has written for Huffington post, a dog may not even show signs of being overheated, until it is too late.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-e-royal-dvm/pet-health_b_1722337.html

 

It can be very dangerous for your dog to be in the hot sun, and a black dog even more so.

Some breeds of dogs are more susceptible to the heat also. Some such breeds are, Boxers, Greyhound and Whippets.

Another scary thought is, the dog is so loyal, it will keep on going, and if you don’t see the signs, well, your dog may be suffering badly.

Please don’t walk your black dog in the hot summer sun.

Wait until it is cooler. He/ she will enjoy the walk so much more, and I am guessing so will you.