Am I pushing my GSD too hard? How much heat can she handle?

louisa · 01-15-2013, 01:45 AM

So, I have a german shepherd. She's medium to long hair.
We're in South Australia and my dad likes to walk her through the bush, but he likes to walk when its hot.
It's around 35 degrees, which is 95 farenheight. He'll walk her in that sort of heat and over for about an hour.
The bush is more a hike, it's got hills and all that.
Although she's been walking that track all her life, she's getting old and reaching 8 years old soon.

I literally just can't stop the dog from going, because my dad encourages her and she doesn't understand that she cant handle the heat for that long.

Will she get heatstroke? Or can she handle the heat? Please help.

Mrs.K · 01-15-2013, 02:02 AM

Keep her hydrated.

louisa · 01-15-2013, 02:06 AM

No one?

louisa · 01-15-2013, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs.K

Keep her hydrated.

Is that really all I have to do?

vicky2200 · 01-15-2013, 02:09 AM

I wouldn't do it. 95 is pretty hot for a young dog to take a stroll.

Mrs.K · 01-15-2013, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louisa

Is that really all I have to do?

Just google how to recognize a heat stroke, print it out and give it to your father

Dog Heatstroke Survival Guide

Heat Stroke | Dog Heat Strokes | Canine Heat Stroke Information

Recognizing and treating heat exhaustion in dogs.

http://dogs.about.com/od/dogandpuppy...heatstroke.htm

Anubis_Star · 01-15-2013, 03:36 AM

I won't take my dogs out until late evening in the summer.

I work in the foothills of Colorado, I have seen young labs come in dead from heatstroke in 90-95 degree weather after going on long hikes. No way would I risk it with a breed that has a thick double coat.

Plenty of water and rest, sticking to shade as much as possible is the best advice I can give other then don't do it. It's irresponsible, IMHO

Benny · 01-15-2013, 06:11 AM

To hot. To easy.

Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

Dainerra · 01-15-2013, 07:09 AM

if she is acclimated to the heat and he knows what to look for as far as heat stroke, then I wouldn't worry as much. As you said, she wants to go. Does he amble along as he walks? Or does he hike like it's a military drill? That also makes a huge difference.

Mrs.K · 01-15-2013, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dainerra

if she is acclimated to the heat and he knows what to look for as far as heat stroke, then I wouldn't worry as much. As you said, she wants to go. Does he amble along as he walks? Or does he hike like it's a military drill? That also makes a huge difference.

Ditto.

She's turning eight. Sounds like she's been doing it for quite a while now and is accustomed to the heat. She hasn't had a heat stroke yet.

Like I said, make sure she stays hydrated, print out the heat stroke information and you are good to go

01-15-2013, 01:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
louisa New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 3	Am I pushing my GSD too hard? How much heat can she handle? So, I have a german shepherd. She's medium to long hair. We're in South Australia and my dad likes to walk her through the bush, but he likes to walk when its hot. It's around 35 degrees, which is 95 farenheight. He'll walk her in that sort of heat and over for about an hour. The bush is more a hike, it's got hills and all that. Although she's been walking that track all her life, she's getting old and reaching 8 years old soon. I literally just can't stop the dog from going, because my dad encourages her and she doesn't understand that she cant handle the heat for that long. Will she get heatstroke? Or can she handle the heat? Please help.

01-15-2013, 02:09 AM	#5 (permalink)
vicky2200 Master Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 723	I wouldn't do it. 95 is pretty hot for a young dog to take a stroll. __________________ Dakota GSD mix- 8yrs old Ditto GSD- 4yrs old Daisy Alaskan Husky- 3yrs old Weegee Toy Poodle- 1yr old

01-15-2013, 03:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
Anubis_Star Master Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 710	I won't take my dogs out until late evening in the summer. I work in the foothills of Colorado, I have seen young labs come in dead from heatstroke in 90-95 degree weather after going on long hikes. No way would I risk it with a breed that has a thick double coat. Plenty of water and rest, sticking to shade as much as possible is the best advice I can give other then don't do it. It's irresponsible, IMHO __________________ ~Emergency Vet Tech Berlin vom Spartanville 1/13/13 Zeke 5/25/07 Luther 2008 - 7/23/12 "Take this trouble from me: Make sure my shepherd dog remains a working dog, for I have struggled all my life long for that aim." Max Von Stephanitz

01-15-2013, 02:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mrs.K Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 8,473	Keep her hydrated.

01-15-2013, 02:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
louisa New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 3	No one?

01-15-2013, 06:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
Benny Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 30	To hot. To easy. Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

01-15-2013, 07:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
Dainerra Crowned Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: N. Central Arkansas Posts: 5,229	if she is acclimated to the heat and he knows what to look for as far as heat stroke, then I wouldn't worry as much. As you said, she wants to go. Does he amble along as he walks? Or does he hike like it's a military drill? That also makes a huge difference.

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