Warren Harding Harding's Airedale Laddie Boy had not only his own chair, but his own valet. The Heat People usually prepare themselves for the dangers of increased temperatures. But as the dog days of summer approach, our trusted companions also need special attention to insure that they don't get burned. The summer months bring an increased danger of heat exhaustion and heat stroke for dogs. People naturally regulate their body temperature by sweating.
Dogs mainly cool themselves by panting- breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth.
The air that is flowing over these organs causes evaporation, thus cooling the animal. Another mechanisms that helps remove heat includes dilation of blood vessels in the skin of the face, ears and feet. Dilated blood vessels located on the surface of the body cause the blood to loose heat to the outside air. However, just like people, dogs can become overheated. A dog's normal body temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.