St. Bernards are hardy dogs when it comes to their tolerance of the cold but are they able to withstand hot weather too?
Saint Bernards do not tolerate hot weather and usually need precautions if they live in a place with a warm climate. Temperatures above 75°F (24°C) could be challenging for your pet, and you should limit their time outdoors during the hot season. Keep in mind individual risk factors, such as the dog’s age and health status, too.
It is also important to consider the individual risk factors for every dog.
How Do Dogs Regulate Temperature?
The average body temperature of most dogs of large breeds is between 100.5 and 102.5°F (about 38.5°C). Dogs have several physiologic adaptations to cool down as needed.
The ideal range of ambient temperatures, the range at which dogs do not spend energy to maintain a normal body temperature, is referred to as the thermoneutral zone (TNZ). The TNZ varies slightly for different breeds. The dog’s size, the thickness of the coat, and the shape of the nose and head are all factors that affect the range that is considered thermoneutral.
In general, however, the TNZ ranges between 68°F and 80-86°F (20° to 26-30°C), according to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University. If a dog experiences temperatures higher than optimal, it compensates for some time to keep the body as a baseline but that does take some energy. When a dog is no longer able to compensate, the onset of heatstroke becomes likely.
Saint Bernards And Temperature Regulation
The upper temperature most Saints tolerate is 85-86° F (30° C), which is typical for large dogs with double coats. However, most Saints can only withstand temperatures that high for short periods, and even then, as long as the dog is not running or hiking in such heat.
A dog’s ability to lose heat through sweating is relatively insignificant because only the paws and nose can secrete sweat. When the air is warmer than the body, the only way a dog can cool down significantly is by panting. That is why dogs can develop heat stroke very quickly, within minutes.
Individual Risk Factors For Overheating
As vulnerable as Saint Bernards are, some dogs are at an even higher risk for heatstroke. These are the main risk factors:
- Old age
- Very young age, less than a year old
- Health issues, especially cardiovascular and respiratory conditions
- Being overweight
- Dehydration
- Lack of acclimation: being used to higher temperatures allows the dog to adjust, but only to an extent
Two environmental conditions that put animals at a higher risk for heatstroke are the following:
- Poor air circulation indoors
- High air humidity outside
The Double Coat
Saint Bernards have thick double-layer coats.
The bottom layer is short and thick, and it insulates your dog from the cold and heat. The upper layer is long and thin, and one of its main functions is to protect your Saint against UV light and moisture.
The coat also helps your dog maintain a normal body temperature. Dogs shed the thick undercoat in spring and summer. The remaining upper layer allows air circulation by the skin and guards against direct sunlight.
It is important to avoid shaving the dog’s fur unless medically indicated. Daily brushing, on the other hand, will help shed and lighten the undercoat and improve air circulation.
Brachycephalic Features
Saint Bernards have flatter faces, which is a factor that puts them at risk for overheating.
Although Saints are not strictly brachycephalic, some do have one or more brachycephalic features:
- Narrow nostrils impair air circulation and any congestion exacerbates the problem
- A narrow trachea makes panting less efficient
- The long palate leads to respiratory problems
- Pouches of laryngeal tissue often obstruct the airway and sometimes even require surgical intervention
The brachycephalic airway syndrome is not nearly as pronounced in Saints as in some other flat-faced breeds but it still affects these dogs’ ability to tolerate activity and regulate temperature.
Signs Of Dehydration
Dehydration is one of the risk factors for heat stroke. The following are the signs of dehydration in dogs:
- Dry, pale nose and mouth
- Mucous membranes of the mouth could turn dark, purple, or bluish
- Fast heart rate
- Sunken eyes
- Decreased urine output
- Poor skin elasticity
To check skin elasticity, use the skin on the animal’s belly. Gently pinch and pull back its skin. If it does not spring back to its place right away, the dog could be dehydrated.
Dehydration is very dangerous to dogs. If it is not corrected quickly, the dog could become unable to walk and drink water and could progress to developing seizures and cardiovascular shock.
Signs Of Overheating
If a dog’s body temperature exceeds 104° F (40° C), the animal is at risk of deteriorating rapidly. The following changes signal an impending heatstroke:
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Heavy drooling
- Unsteady gait, weakness
- Heavy panting
- Purple or bright red gums
- High temperature, the dog feels hot to touch
If Your Pet Overheated
Heatstroke can be mild but it is best to always treat it as a serious and precarious condition because it can progress rapidly. If you recognize the signs of overheating in your Saint, there are interventions you can implement right away:
- Move the dog to a shaded area
- Give your pet cool water
- If your pet is unable to drink independently, avoid forcing him or her but try to wet its tongue, instead
- Do NOT give your dog ice or put ice on its body, because rapid cooling could induce shock
- Put cool wet towels all over your dog to promote gradual cooling
- Putting cool wet towels on the dog’s paws and ear flaps could be helpful too
Take your pup to a veterinarian as soon as possible, particularly if your dog is weak and unable to drink water. Heatstroke and dehydration are extremely dangerous and may require the administration of intravenous hydration and nutrition. That could be promptly initiated at a veterinarian’s office.
How To Keep Your Saint Bernard Cool During The Hot Season
Some practices could help you keep your heat-sensitive dog cool and comfortable during the summer months.
1. Brush Your Dog Regularly
Brush your pet’s coat regularly to help shed the undercoat during hot months but avoid shaving the coat. Some owners trim their dog’s fur, which could be fine as long as the fur is not trimmed excessively. Trimming is not usually necessary and it is better to avoid doing that, too.
2. Provide Access To Cool Water
Make sure your dog always has access to plenty of cool clean water. Keep several bowls of water in different areas of your home to remind the animal to drink water.
When your pet joins you for a walk or a hike, bring some water for your furry friend, and a foldable water bottle.
3. Avoid Walking The Dog On Asphalt Trails
Walk your dog on grass or ground rather than asphalt. Asphalt trails get hot in the summer and increase the risk of overheating. In addition, the dog’s paws could get burned by the hot surface of the heated asphalt.
4. Protect The Dog’s Paws
You could put on some protective dog booties for your dog to prevent burns or other injuries to the paws. Dog boots are the best physical barrier to shield the paws from any injury but certified organic paw balm, or wax, is the next best option. Beeswax and paraffin are the core ingredients of paw butter products. These products are designed to seal off the paw from damage, and most dogs do not mind having paw wax on, unlike boots.
5. Avoid The Hottest Part Of The Day
Try to walk your pet in the morning or in the evening to avoid the hottest part of the day. Woods and forests are ideal for walks and hikes in the summer because they stay cool better than open areas.
Dogs of this breed do well in water, so consider swimming with your St. Bernard to stay cool on a warm day.
6. Provide Rest Periods, Look For Shade
Provide rest periods in the shade when out during the day. Of course, if a shaded trail is available, that would be a safer, preferred option.
7. Consider Water Activities
If it is an option, swimming in a lake is a fun way to cool down and exercise. Saint Bernards usually do quite well with aquatic activities. A doggy pool on your patio or on your balcony is a good alternative to a lake or river.
8. Purchase A Cooling Mat
If you don’t have an air conditioner indoors, consider getting a non-toxic cooling mat for your pet if your home gets too warm. Cooling mats are great for cars, too, when your pet joins you on a trip.
9. Invest In A Good Cooling Vest
If you are out and about with your dog, a cooling collar could provide some relief. A cooling vest might be a good investment if you go hiking with your dog or spend a lot of time outdoors in warm weather with your pet.
It is important to measure your dog’s chest circumference and use the size chart provided by the manufacturer because your dog won’t like a vest with a flawed fit. Your pet should wear the vest at home for a little to get used to the way it feels.
10. Read Your Saint Bernard’s Cues
And, finally, you know your pet better than anyone else and you are likely to notice subtle changes in your dog’s behavior.
Dogs often do not show signs of dehydration or exhaustion until they are unwell. Dogs may be too preoccupied with a game or they want to impress the owner. For that reason, it is important to closely observe pets when temperatures are high, encourage them to drink water and rest, and get them away from the sun as needed.
