Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

These dogs are hardy in winter weather but how do Bernese Mountain Dogs do in a hot climate? Do Bernese Mountain Dogs tolerate hot weather?

Bernese Mountain Dogs do not tolerate hot weather. Even healthy adult Berners might feel uncomfortable when temperatures exceed 75°F ( 24°C). Old animals, puppies, and dogs with health issues are particularly vulnerable to heatstroke. Know how to recognize the signs of overheating and how to help your pet on a hot day.

Consider your dog’s individual characteristics because they can be much more important than the breed.

How Dogs Regulate Temperature

The average body temperature of a Bernese Mountain Dog and most other large breeds is 100.5-102.5°F (about 38.5°C). Dogs have few physiologic mechanisms to enable cooling down as needed.

The ideal range of temperatures – when dogs do not spend extra energy to maintain a normal body temperature – is referred to as the thermoneutral zone (TNZ).

The TNZ is not the same for all 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 of temperatures a particular dog does well with.

In general, however, the TNZ ranges from 68°F to 80-86°F (20° to 26-30°C) for most breeds, according to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University. If the ambient temperature is higher than optimal, the dog compensates to keep the body temperature at baseline but that takes some energy. Heatstroke happens when the dog cannot compensate anymore.

Berners And Temperature Regulation

The highest temperature most Berners can tolerate is 85-86° F (30° C). That is typical for many breeds. Many heat-sensitive dogs, however, can withstand such high ambient temperatures only for a short period.

A dog’s ability to lose heat through sweating is minimal because only his or her paws and nose can produce sweat. When the air is warmer than the body, the only way for a dog to cool down is to pant. That is why dogs can develop heatstroke in minutes.

Individual Risk Factors For Overheating

Some Bernese Mountain Dogs are at a higher risk for heatstroke, and environmental circumstances could make overheating more likely.

Old age: elderly animals cannot regulate temperature very effectively and often have health problems that compound the issue
Very young age: very young dogs generally have little stamina for temperature extremes and exercise
Compromised health: acute and chronic health problems are major risk factors, especially in animals that have a condition affecting cardiovascular or respiratory health
Being overweight: most household pets are prone to excessive weight gain, which lowers their ability to tolerate heat and exercise
Dehydration: hyperthermia and dehydration go hand-in-hand and each can speed up the cycle
Lack of acclimation: if your pet is more used to living in a cold or moderate climate, it will have less tolerance to the heat than an animal living in an area with frequent hot weather

High air humidity further compromises a Bernese Mountain Dog’s ability to regulate the temperature in the heat. If indoors, poor air circulation has a similar effect and puts a dog at a higher risk.

The Double Coat

Bernese Mountain Dogs have a thick double-layer coat.

The bottom layer is short, and thick and does a great job of insulating your dog from the cold and the heat. The upper layer is longer and thinner, and one of its functions is to protect your Bernese Mountain Dog against UV light and moisture, as well as insects.

The beautiful black color of the fur makes Bernese Mountain Dogs more susceptible to overheating because it does not reflect the sunlight but absorbs it instead.

The coat itself, however, helps your pet maintain a normal body temperature. Berners shed their thick undercoat in spring and summer. The remaining upper layer is permissive to air circulation by the skin and guards against direct sunlight. Never shave the coat but brush it regularly to promote the shedding of old hairs to lighten the fur.

Signs of Dehydration

Dehydration is one of the risk factors for heatstroke. The following are the signs of dehydration in dogs:

Dry pale nose and mouth
Sunken eyes
Fast heart rate
The dog is not urinating
Poor skin turgor (elasticity)

Mild dehydration is benign and resolves quickly when the pup drinks enough water. In hot weather, however, the dog can lose water quickly. If dehydration progresses to severe, the dog can have seizures or develop cardiovascular shock.

Signs of Overheating

If a dog’s temperature exceeds 104° F (40° C), it is at risk of deteriorating rapidly. The following changes signal an impending heatstroke in a dog:

Vomiting, diarrhea
Heavy drooling
Unsteady gait, weakness
Heavy panting
Purple or bright red gums
The dog feels hot to touch

If Your Bernese Mountain Dog Overheated

Heatstroke can be mild. However, it is important to always treat it as a potentially serious and dangerous condition because it can progress rapidly.

If you recognize the signs of overheating in your pup, there are interventions you can implement immediately:

Move your dog to a shaded cooler area
Give the dog some cool water, NOT ice or ice water
Put cool wet towels over the dog’s body

Take your pup to a veterinarian as soon as possible, especially if your dog is weak and unable to drink water. Heatstroke and dehydration are extremely dangerous and may warrant the administration of intravenous hydration and nutrition. That can be promptly initiated at a veterinarian’s office.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG COOL IN SUMMER

Several general practices will protect your heat-sensitive Berner from excessive heat on a summer day:

Brush your dog daily during the hot season. Frequent brushing helps with shedding any loose hair and improves air circulation. Avoid shaving the dog’s fur – doing so could ruin the quality of the fur and put your pet at risk of overheating even more.
Provide cool water. Keep several bowls of water in different areas of your home to remind the dog to drink water as needed. When you are outdoors with your pet, bring some water, and a foldable water bottle for the dog.
Avoid walking the dog on asphalt trails. Walk the dog on grass or ground. Concrete surfaces get hot and could burn your pet’s paws, and make heatstroke more likely.
Protect the paws. You could put some protective dog booties on your dog’s paws to save your pet from injuries, including burns. That is especially important if you like to take your Berner running or hiking.
- Dog boots are the best physical barrier to protect the paws but most dogs need time to get used to wearing them, some never get used to them. If your pet dislikes boots, certified organic paw balm or another paw butter or wax product is the next best option.
- Purified petroleum-based products are also safe for pet paws. They are a less expensive alternative to paw balm products with similar protective value. The most popular and effective products are Vaseline and Aquaphor.
Avoid the hottest part of the day. If possible, walk your pet in the morning. Woods are ideal for walks and hikes in the summer because they stay cool better than open areas.
Provide rest and look for shade
Consider aquatic activities. If it is an option, swimming and playing in the water is a fun way to cool down and exercise. Bernese Mountain Dogs do very well in water, most enjoy swimming or playing in shallow water. A doggy pool on your patio or balcony is a great alternative to a lake or river.
Purchase a cooling mat. If you do not have an air conditioner indoors, consider getting a non-toxic cooling mat for your pet if your home gets very warm. Cooling mats are great for traveling in a car, too.
A cooling vest could be a worthy investment if you hike or run with your dog or spend much time outdoors in hot weather in general.
- It is important to measure your dog’s chest circumference and use the size chart provided by the manufacturer. Your pet should wear the vest at home for a little to get used to the way it feels, too.
Read your dog’s cues. You know your pet better than anyone and might notice subtle changes in your best friend’s behavior.
- Dogs often do not show signs of dehydration or exhaustion until they are unwell. It is important to keenly observe pets when the environmental conditions are less than ideal. Encourage your pet to drink water, rest, and get the dog out of the sun and heat as needed.