As friendly and faithful Golden Retrievers are, no wonder many families and even individuals wanted to own them. However, it has been a topic, whether they could stay in countries or areas where there’s a hot climate. So, are Golden Retrievers suitable for warm climates?
Yes, Golden Retrievers can live in a warm climate. They can live in any type of climate but with exceptions. If your Golden Retriever’s coat is long, dense, and thick, then they are more suitable for cold weather or climate. But if their coat isn’t, just make sure they have enough water, roof or shade and other protective gear to avoid problems brought by the heat.
Golden Retriever is most suitable in rural environments and huge backyards where they can exercise, walk, run, and play anytime. They could also adjust in every climate.
Their coat has a lustrous, sandy brown color with soft, straight or slightly wavy furs. Just thinking about them makes me want to squish them already!
How Hot Is Too Hot for Golden Retrievers?
The average body temperature for any dog breeds is between 101°F (38°C) and 102.5°F (39°C). As Golden Retrievers have this thick coat, it is usually preferred to let them stay to an environment with a temperature ranging between 50°F (10°C) to 85°F (29.5°C).
If your area fits this temperature, your dog is safe to roam around. Do take note of the cases where Golden survive in a certain country with a certain temperature as well. It’ll make your job easier.
But what if the temperature outside increases?
Make sure you’re familiar with what we call ‘hyperthermia’ in dogs. This happens when the dog exceeds its normal body temperature, which is higher than 103.5°F (39.7°C).
This is basically a fever or a high fever for dogs, which, if left untreated, may (or may not) result in heatstroke, unconsciousness, organ failure, and worst, death!
Symptoms of Hyperthermia in Golden Retrievers
It’s normal seeing your Golden Retrievers tired after a long, fun activity to ensure a healthy body. However, if at least more than two or three of these signs came up, make sure to take them to treat them and take them to a Vet immediately.
Signs and symptoms of Hyperthermia in Golden Retrievers:
- Panting and drooling with thick saliva
- Red and/or darkened gums and tongue
- Decrease in urination
- Weakness, dizziness, and fatigue
- Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) and Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
- Diarrhea
- Black, tarry stools
- Nausea and Vomiting (sometimes with blood)
- Inflammation of different body parts
- Shock and tremors
- Cardiopulmonary arrest (heart and breathing stops)
- Organ failure (kidney failure, liver, and brain damage)
- Seizures
Treating Hyperthermia
If your dog is positive for the rest of the symptoms written above, here are the crucial tips you need to follow.
First, check their state of condition. If you observed that they’re experiencing an excessive increase in temperature, immediately remove them outside and place them in a cool area. This area could be inside your house so that they can cool off with an air conditioner or with a fan.
Place a cold towel and a bandana or a cooling pad for their paws. Keep a spray bottle beside you to give them refreshment every minute.
If your Golden Retrievers like water, let them, you can make them swim and even soak them on a bathtub or make them drink cool (not cold) water immediately.
You can also let them eat frozen snacks and treats. Others recommended a cold chicken broth that would give them protein as well. Healthy and life-saving!
Observe for a few more minutes, and if the case doesn’t change or worsen, go to your Vet immediately! They can check for possible problems and further damage, then they’d know how to treat them accordingly.
Some of the treatments for Hyperthermia could be:
- Thermoregulation (reaching back to the normal temperature),
- Cool intravenous (IV) fluids,
- Antibiotics,
- Blood pressure and heart rate monitoring,
- Symptomatic supportive care,
- and even surgery if necessary.
Remember!
Never leave your Goldens outside, in a closed space like your garage, or even inside a hot car (ever again)!
How to Prevent Hyperthermia in Golden Retrievers?
“Prevention is better than cure.”
Hyperthermia and other issues with heat such as dehydration, sunburn, and heat exhaustion, in dogs can be fatal.
Surely, you cannot control your dog’s temperature, but there are several things that you can do to take care of it.
Be Proactive and Alert beforehand. Think of the results and consequences, whether positive or not, of anything that you’d want your Golden Retriever to do. It’s your responsibility as an owner to protect and train them.
When you bring your Golden Retrievers out for a walk or to play in your backyard, make sure that they won’t get too exposed to the scorching heat.
You can take them out before 10 am (the heat’s peak time), or else you and your Golden Retrievers can get a sunburn if you’re not careful enough.
Avoid over-exercising them. If possible, try other fun and active activities so they won’t destroy anything and get bored, trapped inside your house.
If they would really like to stay outside for a while, bring them some cold water to avoid dehydration and to cool off their bodies with it. Check them from time to time. Shades are necessary, as well.
Never ever leave them alone! Whether in the yard (for a very long time) or at the parking lot alone and trap inside your car.
Even if you said that windows are open or the AC is turned on. If babies can get suffocated, so are they! Like who does that?
Make sure to keep them away from:
- poisonous chemicals that they could eat or drink
- human food that is not suitable for dogs like chocolate and can cause allergies
- high-rise apartments, balconies, and even roof
- loud and noise-making fireworks.
Did You Know?
Dogs that are from the active breed like Golden Retrievers and are overweight or obese are more susceptible to heat-causing problems such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Exercising a Golden Retriever (In Warm Weather)
As Golden Retrievers are working dogs and a breed considered as ‘sporty,’ they need to get plenty of exercises and foods that can give them the energy to suffice.
However, the level of intensity and minutes a dog can exercise would always depend on how your Vet would suggest. They would base it on your dog’s body, age, and health condition.
In certainties that the temperature is quite hot than usual and that you’d really need to go take them for a walk in a day, make sure that it’s windy and there’s water nearby.
Make sure they have access to a shady area. Just avoid exercising and training them when the heat is at its peak!
Did You Know?
Golden Retrievers are also considered as a ‘water dog.’ This means that they can survive in water by swimming. This would also provide them with proper exercising especially for those who have a bone problem like arthritis.
Final Thoughts
Dogs and humans aren’t the same. Dogs, in general, don’t sweat the same way we do. They cool off slowly and hardly.
As the master among your four-legged friends, make sure that your Golden Retriever would get enough physical activities for a day without being uncomfortable towards the weather nor their bodies.
It’s your responsibility to prevent and control what can lead to a heat-causing problem such as hyperthermia, heat exhaustion, and thereof. In instances that some of these happen, get enough information and research on the symptoms and treatments along.
If you’re having a hard time on what to do, don’t be a hero. Go to a VET immediately before things get worse!
Overall, your furry-coated family dog is always fun to be with. As loyal, gorgeous, and friendly they are, they would make you feel better and happy all throughout your journey as their father, mother, and/or owner.
Related Questions
Can Golden Retrievers survive in cold weather?
Just like what we’ve said before, they can adjust to pretty much any weather. Their coat grows whenever winter kicks in. But, this is not enough for them to survive extreme temperatures. Might as well take them inside your home as you can use a heater to lessen the cold temperature.
If my Golden Retriever pants, does this mean that they’re experiencing heat stroke?
As it could be a symptom, this is not always the case. When you expose your dogs on a scorching heat, exercise them throughout without giving proper comfort, this is the time they would experience hyperthermia.
Now, if it’s panting alone and there are no other symptoms of discomfort, you shouldn’t be worried at all since it’s normal.
Would it be wrong if I let my Golden Retrievers stay outside?
No, it’s not, especially if you want them to befriend other people and possibly, dogs as well. But always be cautious of the weather and the time they spend outside. Check them from time to time and make sure to put a shade and water nearby, just in case.
References
- https://www.quora.com/Is-a-golden-retriever-or-suitable-for-warm-climates
- https://www.goldenretrievers.org/about-goldens
- https://dogtime.com/dog-health/58497-hyperthermia-heat-stroke-dogs-symptoms-causes-treatments
- http://pluspets.com/golden-retriever/
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/cardiovascular/c_dg_heat_stroke?page=2
- https://www.easyretrievertraining.com/beat-heat-stroke-in-retrievers/
- https://www.totallygoldens.com/hot-weather-safety-tips-for-dogs/
- https://www.golden-retriever-dog.com/veterinary-help/golden-retriever-hot-weather/
- https://pethelpful.com/dogs/How-to-Keep-a-Pet-Dog-Cool-on-a-Hot-Summer-Day
