How to beat the heat?

[NicoleLJ]

Got an interesting question for you all. As you know I have a White Shepherd and a black one. With having weeks of hot weather I am having a really hard time keeping Luca(black one) cool. When we take them both out for play time we spray them down to cool them off. For Sheena(white) there is no problem. She could play for hours in the heat. Luca on the other hand seems to only handle about 20 minutes or so before he is getting over heated. Even in the shade he is extremely hot. If you touch his coat it is hot compared to Sheena's cool one. The only way to keep him consistantly cool is to bring him in to teh air conditioning. Meaning shorter play times.

They are both very healthy. Luca is lean and fit and has a short coat. Sheena is a bit heavier now with nursing a litter. So for Luca I know it is not a weight issue or an overly think or long coat issue.

So how do you all with darker colored dogs help them to beat the heat? They do have a doggy pool they can dive in and play in but this only helps so much.
Nicole & Sheena & Puppies

[Freedom]

When I was at the dog show this morning, many of the dogs were wearing blankets. I didn't get it, so I finally asked. They are cooler jackets. You soak it in ice water and put it on the dog. I took some photos, but I won't be able to get them up until tomorrow. I did a google search. never said it would be inexpensive!

http://www.k9electricdogfence.com/product/CK9-1-2-3

You have to scroll down on this site:
http://www.petstreetmall.com/Canine-Cooler-Pet-Bed.aspx

They have a jacket, a bandana and other things. I saw the bandana at the show this AM as well.

While I was searching for this, here was something about not giving a hot dog ice water to drink, so keep that in mind as well.

Hope this helps.

[crow_noir]

We just usually tried to keep King in during the day or stuck to shady areas. We were lucky that for most of his time with us that our neighbors had tall trees.

On car rides I put a while cloth over him.

I'd say go to a fabric store and get a few yards of a thin white cloth similar to what bandannas are made of . Something light and breezy. Make a light weight slip cover sort of thing for him. Make sure to make it a bit loose. Have it so it goes up the neck a bit, attaches there, and a strap for under the belly to hold it in place. It really does help out a LOT.

[MS_PAWS]

No.1 Keep the dog in the house
No.2 Keep the AC running
No.3 Clean your AC
No.4 Be sure the dogs have plenty of clean water daily
No.5 Only allow the dogs to play outside & do their business

[anna_66]

I understand where your coming from with the heat on the black coat. Bon can't handle it outside much either, where the girls will go out & lay in the sun

The jackets look like they'd be a great idea

[cassiesmom]

Nicole, how's Luca doing with the heat? I was thinking about you all this morning because it's supposed to be 90F in Chicago today. Luca, please keep very cool! I love the photos of Luca and Sheena in the snow on your Web site!

[Freedom]

Here is a link for the "kool koat."

http://www.pettemp.com/05koolkoatmain/index.htm

There may be others on the dog fanciers shop lists.

http://www.infodog.com/fancierpages/shops/index.htm