From curly poodles to short haired Chihuahuas, dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and coats. We know these different types of dogs as breeds. Over centuries, dogs were bred for specific purposes, such as hunting, pulling sleighs, guarding, and companionship. Today, the majority of dogs in the United States are kept as pets, regardless of their origins. Have you ever stopped to think about what that means if you live somewhere with exceptionally hot summers–like Glendale, AZ?

     Dogs that were bred for living in colder climates have developed special adaptations that make them more resistant to the cold. While most dogs have two types of fur–and undercoat and guard hairs– the thickness of these depends on the breed of dog. Cold weather pups such as the Akita, with its dense undercoat, and the Malamute, with its coarse, long guard hairs, are two great examples of this adaptation.

Another fun fact— cold weather dogs have a special adaptation that keeps their paws from freezing. Their veins and arteries are extremely close together in their paws, which help keep blood warm as it returns to the body from extremities.

     Don’t fret if you live in Glendale, AZ and have a dog meant for cold weather–most dogsare also adapted to changing temps. As every dog owner knows, warmer temperatures usually means cleaning up tons of dog hair around the house as their dog loses its winter coat. Likewise, there are a few easy steps pet owners can take to make sure their dogstays cool in the heat of the summer.

On exceptionally hot days, try to avoid long walks or exercise during the middle of the day. Take walks in the early mornings, and evening when the temperature has cooled off. Keep your dog inside or in the shade on these days whenever possible. If your dog wants to be outside, a kiddie pool is a great way to help them stay cool as well. Be sure to keep an eye out for signs of possible overheating, such as a normally active dog acting lethargic or excessive panting without exercise. Always, always make sure your dog has a cool, ample supply of drinking water.

Keeping all these things in mind can keep your cold weather dog happy and healthy in the Arizona heat. And if you’re looking for something a little more desert-hardy in a pet, perhaps a Canaan, which lived in desert regions for thousands of years, is a more suitable pick!