Best Dog Breeds for Hot Weather: 17 Heat-Tolerant Dogs

Dogs are naturally adaptable companions, but the climate you live in can significantly affect how comfortable they will be.

The dogs on this list are well-suited for hot weather and will generally thrive in the heat; however, extra measures are still necessary to care for them and prevent heatstroke!

IN CONTRAST: 20 Worst Dog Breeds for Hot Weather

What Makes a Dog Good for Hot Weather?

The best dogs for hot weather will have the right coat and complementary body structure suited for the heat.

Dogs with the following features are considered heat-tolerant breeds:

• single coat
• short hair or hairless
• light color like tan, gray, or white
• long nose that allows for proper breathing (unlike brachycephalic or short-snouted dogs)
• large, erect ears (floppy ears tend to trap warm air)

Some double-coated dogs can thrive in heat, too, as long as their fur is short. It can act as an insulation and cool them off in hot climates.

RELATED: Shaving Your Dog For Summer: Should You Do It?

17 Heat-Tolerant Dog Breeds

1. Chihuahua

• Breed Group: Toy
• Weight: 2 to 6 lbs.
• Coat type: Smooth, long coat, available in many colors
• Life expectancy: 12 to 20 years.

The Chihuahua originates in Mexico’s hot desert, making it no stranger to the heat.

This small breed is a highly adaptable dog that works well in warm weather climates.

Their thin coat and small size don’t offer much protection against harsh winter environments, so the breed prefers more hospitable climates.

Their large ears also help regulate their body temperature.

2. Australian Cattle Dog

• Breed Group: Herding
• Weight: 35 to 50 lbs.
• Coat type: Smooth coat with blue- or red-speckled variety
• Life expectancy: 13 to 15 years.

Hailing from Australia, one of the hottest and most humid regions of the world, the Australian Cattle Dog does more than well in hot weather.

They have a short coat and a round snout, both of which are features that enable them to withstand heat.

This dog is active, hearty, and driven to work, regardless of the heat or warm temperatures.

The breed is commonly called a “blue heeler” (or “red heeler”, depending on their coat color) and has a constant flow of energy that never seems to stop, regardless of the weather.

As such, it’s the perfect dog for a warmer climate.

3. Ibizan Hound

• Breed Group: Hound
• Weight: Approximately 50 lbs.
• Coat type: Wiry or smooth, short, coarse hair; Solid red, white, or mixed marking
• Life expectancy: 12 to 14 years

This stunning dog originates from the Balearic Islands, near Spain’s coastline.

Researchers believe that the Ibizan hound likely descended from Egyptian hounds, which were initially brought to the region by Phoenician traders.

Ibizan Hounds are sighthounds, bred to sprint in pursuit of prey under the hot sun. As such, this dog is ideal for warm weather and hot, sunny conditions.

4. Yorkshire Terrier

• Breed Group: Toy
• Weight: Up to 7 lbs.
• Coat type: Long, silky, straight hair; Varying coat colors, including black, blue, and tan combinations.
• Life Expectancy: 13 to 16 years

This little bundle of joy is perfect for warmer temperatures thanks to its long, thin coat.

The Yorkshire Terrier's thin coat texture will protect them from overheating, but doesn’t offer much insulation against the cold.

Also, their coat is considered hair, not fur.

Smaller dogs often handle the heat better than larger dogs, making the “Yorkie” a fabulous candidate for hot climates.

5. Chinese Crested

• Breed Group: Toy
• Weight: 5 to 12 lbs.
• Coat type: Soft, silky hair that only covers the head, tail, and feet.
• Life Expectancy: 13 to 18 years

The Chinese Crested Dog is predominantly hairless. They likely originated in Asia from imported hairless dogs that were accustomed to hot temperatures.

The exposed skin of a Chinese crested (or any hairless, shorthaired, or sparsely haired dog) can quickly become burned.

Be sure to apply sunscreen before heading outside to protect your dog from the sun's harmful effects.

6. Airedale Terrier

• Breed Group: Terrier
• Weight: 40 to 65 lbs.
• Coat type: Wiry, hard, dense coat
• Life Expectancy: 11 to 13 years

The Airedale Terrier is the largest of the terrier breeds, classified as a medium-sized dog that is well-suited to tolerate warm weather.

These pups have a short, fuzzy, and wiry topcoat and a soft undercoat that allows the heat to escape, keeping the dog cool in warm climates.

Their head and ears are tan, with a mix of dark grizzle or black throughout the body.

7. Great Dane

• Breed Group: Working group
• Weight: 110 to 175 lbs.
• Coat type: Short coat in fawn, blue, brindle, mantle, and harlequin color
• Life Expectancy: 6 to 8 years

The Great Dane is a large dog that does well in hot weather.

They naturally tend to conserve energy, making them more inclined to be couch potatoes when the weather is warm.

The breed tends to prefer living in a warmer climate. If your Great Dane has a dark-colored coat, it can heat up quicker.

Ensure your dog has several shady spots to retreat from the heat, and never leave them outside unattended.

8. Greyhound

• Breed Group: Hound
• Weight: 60 to 80 lbs.
• Coat type: Smooth and short; Black, blue, red, white, fawn, or multiple shades of brindle.
• Life Expectancy: 10 to 13 years

Like the smaller Italian Greyhound, the full-size sprinter is ideal for warm summer climates. The Greyhound has a thin, short coat and exceptionally lean body mass.

This breed doesn’t regulate its body temperature well in colder weather.

The Greyhound only requires a few bursts of high-speed activity and the occasional walk, making it ideal for hot summer environments.

9. Afghan Hound

• Breed Group: Hound
• Weight: 50 to 60 lbs.
• Coat type: Long, fine, and thick coat in varying colors; coat patterns include domino and brindle
• Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years

Don’t let the coat of these large breed dogs fool you; the Afghan Hound does well in hot climates!

Despite appearing heavy, the Afghan hound has a single coat of hair designed to keep the dog cool during the day and warm at night.

Unfortunately, these coats are relatively high maintenance, requiring weekly grooming to keep them free of debris and tangles.

The breed’s native homeland is Afghanistan, where temperatures fluctuate between daytime and nighttime.

10. Italian Greyhound

• Breed Group: Toy
• Weight: 7 to 14 lbs.
• Coat type: Smooth and short coats in mostly grey, fawn, black, tan, chocolate, sable, red, or any combination.
• Life Expectancy: 14 to 15 years

This breed is known for its slender frame and thin coat, making it an excellent companion in the summer weather.

The Italian Greyhound carries very little body fat and often needs coats and sweaters to combat the harsh winters.

These dogs feel more comfortable in sunny, warm climates.

11. German Shorthaired Pointer

• Breed Group: Sporting dog
• Weight: 55 to 70 lbs.
• Coat type: Thin, short coat; usually liver and white or solid liver in color
• Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years

Whether you’re looking for active canine companionship or a fantastic hunting dog, the German Shorthaired Pointer is a perfect pup for hot weather.

GSPs were originally bred for water retrieving because they have a short coat, which is also water-resistant and repels dirt.

Today, they still love to swim to cool off, and excel in any outdoor and water-based activities.

Their short hair makes them comfortable in hot weather, along with their long snouts that allow them to pant effectively and cool off properly.

Always watch these dogs to ensure they don’t overexert themselves in extreme heat.

12. Dalmatian

• Breed Group: Non-sporting dog
• Weight: 45 to 70 lbs.
• Coat type: Short, dense, thick coat; white base coat color with black or liver spotting
• Life Expectancy: 11 to 13 years

Dalmatians are one of the best dog breeds for hot weather. In fact, they are commonly hired as firefighting dogs! That alone is a telltale sign that they can stand the heat.

This dog has a short coat, a long snout, and a slim but muscular physique, all of which are features that help him thrive in hot weather.

While the exact origins of this breed are unknown, Dalmatians are strongly associated with Dalmatia in the 1800s, a region located along the Adriatic Sea.

Average summer temperatures in Dalmatia reach 85 degrees Fahrenheit (30 °C), so these dogs are historically well-adapted to hot climates.

13. Border Collie

• Breed Group: Herding
• Weight: 30 to 55 lbs.
• Coat type: Rough (medium-length, feathered) or Smooth (shorter, coarser) double coat
• Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years

Border Collies can have two types of coats: the rough coat and the smooth coat. Both types are double-coated, weather-resistant coats.

With the addition of very long snouts and high stamina, this breed is perfect for hot weather or any other kind of harsh weather conditions.

The history of Border Collies is closely tied to herding, and even today, this breed is regarded as one of the world's finest herding dogs.

Their ability to withstand various types of weather is one of the reasons they are among the top working dogs.

14. Vizsla

• Breed Group: Sporting
• Weight: 45 to 65 lbs.
• Coat type: Short-haired (smooth, dense, and close-lying coat) or Wirehaired (longer, coarser, and wiry coat)
• Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years

This breed originated in Hungary, a country with a moderate climate. However, they can still excel in scorching hot temperatures as they are built for long days in the field.

Vizslas are durable and highly effective working dogs. In fact, they were the hunting dog of choice in the Austro-Hungarian Empire because they were both good pointers and retrievers.

These dogs come with sleek golden coats that are short enough to keep them cool even in the hottest weather. They also have long, round snouts, which allow them to cool themselves off.

Thanks to their adventurous spirit, they make perfect companions for hiking and running in nature.

15. Pharaoh Hound

• Breed Group: Hound
• Weight: 45 to 55 lbs.
• Coat type: Short, smooth, and close-lying coat
• Life Expectancy: 11 to 14 years

This is another breed with a sleek, short coat, ideal for high temperatures.

They also have a round and long snout, big ears, and a lean, muscular physique, making them perfect as summer hiking partners because they can withstand the heat and rough terrain.

The Pharaoh Hound's ancestors originated in ancient Egypt, some 5,000 years ago. This fact alone is enough to let you know that they are well-suited for warm weather, given Egypt’s hot and humid climate.

This dog is also the national dog of Malta, a small Mediterranean island where they were often used for hunting rabbits.

16. Golden Retriever

• Breed Group: Sporting
• Weight: 55 to 75 lbs.
• Coat type: Soft, dense undercoat and a longer, water-repellent outer coat.
• Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years

Unlike most of the mentioned best dog breeds for hot weather on this list, Golden Retrievers have a longer coat.

However, their double coat is also water-resistant, and they are natural swimmers, making them a perfect partner for fun water activities in the summertime.

Their round and long snout allows them to cool off properly, and their stamina keeps them going even in the harshest weather conditions.

Their close, short-haired cousins, Labrador Retrievers, are also a good choice for dog owners living in regions with high temperatures, especially those near water, as Labradors also enjoy swimming.

17. Basenji

• Breed Group: Hound
• Weight: 22 to 24 lbs.
• Coat type: Short, fine, and smooth; sleek and close-lying
• Life Expectancy: 12 to 16 years

This breed has all the necessary features to be one of the best dog breeds for hot weather.

They are small but muscular, they have a shiny short coat, a long and round snout, and big ears.

In addition to all of this, they originated in one of the hottest forests in equatorial Africa, where they were used as hunting dogs.

Basenjis are one of the oldest dog breeds on the planet, which means they can adapt to almost any condition.

With their love for the outdoors and high energy levels, they will gladly accompany you on summer hikes or to the beach. But they are at their best as running partners, as long as you can keep up with them, since they are very fast when they use their double suspension gallop!

More Dog Breeds Good for Hot Weather

Other breeds you should consider if you live in regions with high temperatures include:

• Whippet
• Doberman
• American Foxhound
• Chesapeake Bay Retriever
• American Water Spaniel
• Ibizan Hound
• Terrier dogs

Caring for Dogs in Hot Weather

Even though all of the breeds we mentioned can withstand hot temperatures, it's still important to be careful because they can still suffer from heat stroke.

To prevent this, don’t work your dog too hard in excessive heat and always bring water with you to prevent dehydration!

Try to stay out of the sun altogether when temperatures rise above 100 degrees (38 °C), and ensure that your dog has access to shade and fresh water at all times.

If you want to go for a run or a hike with your pooch, do it in the early morning or late afternoon, not at the time of day when the temperature is at its peak.

Of course, going to the beach even in the hottest weather is fine since your pet will be able to cool off in the water. However, don’t let your pooch swim too much, as the heat can cause them to become exhausted much quicker without even noticing.

Dogs Good for Hot Weather: Before You Go…

Although many dogs are adaptable to the heat, certain breeds will perform much better in the long term than others.

So if you live in a hotter climate, these dogs will be your bestest companions!

Read more about heat-related care for dogs! Check out our recommended articles below.

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