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Can Havanese Live In Hot Weather? 8 Tips To Keep Cool

How well do Havanese tolerate the heat? How hot is too hot? This is a common concern for owners living in hot states or countries.

This article explains how well Havanese handle hot conditions, their temperature-tolerance, and provides valuable tips to help keep your Havanese cool in summer.

8-hot-weather-tips-for-havanese

Why Havanese Tolerate Hot Weather Better Than We Think

Most Havanese tolerate hot weather well if we provide a little help. By following basic tips to ensure your Havanese doesn’t overheat, they’ll be just fine living in hot countries and temperatures.

1. Their coat actually helps them keep cool

This becomes the heart of big debate throughout the summer months. Some owners swear by trimming it back…

Unfortunately, this can cause more harm than good.

In fact, Havanese have their double-coat as a result of living in a tropical climate and it plays an important role in keeping them cool! Believe it or not, it’s true.

Their double-coat is comprised of two layers that both play important roles.

  • The undercoat is soft, fluffy, and is considered their insulation layer to keep them warm in cooler months. This layer also sheds during summer to assist with natural airflow.
  • The topcoat (guard hairs) is a little tougher and helps to block UV rays, direct heat, dirt, and pesky insects. When you trim a Havanese, the first hairs to come off are the guard hairs, which happen to be the very hairs that protect the Havanese the most in hot weather.

The myth about cutting your Havanese’s coat to keep them cooler has been debunked by many studies, veterinarians, and science. This article explains more.

2. Havanese are no strangers to hot climates

First originating in Teneriffe, Spain, before coming to Cuba, this breed has lived in hot weather their entire existence.

This plays a huge factor in their ability to adapt, and in fact, you could argue that hot weather is their version of normal!

What Temperatures Can Havanese Tolerate?

So how hot is too hot… Well, there are no set-in-stone answers to this, but there are some reliable guidelines.

Generally speaking, 20°C (70°F) is the safe upper limit for most dogs, once the mercury starts rising above 20°C (70°F) the chances of heat-stroke and dehydration increase dramatically.

  • But keep in mind this isn’t a strict rule and all dogs will have their own individual tolerance.

You might be thinking that 20°C (70°F) isn’t actually that hot, which is very true. Many southern states and tropical countries are oftentimes 30°C (86°F) or higher.

This is when our assistance is necessary, so let’s run through the tips you should know to help keep your Havanese cool and safe in hotter conditions.

Other Popular Havanese Articles on The Puppy Mag:
Why Do Havanese Follow Their Owners Everywhere? The Answer
Are Havanese Easy to Train? Essential Tips For Owners

8 Tips To Help Keep Your Havanese Cool In Summer

The following tips will definitely help you, help your Havanese remain cool and comfortable when the temperatures rise. Each tip is equally important.

1. Keep Your Havanese Out Of Midday Sun/Heat

For most locations, the hottest part of the day is between 12-4pm, and so it’s essential to keep your Havanese inside in the shade during these hours.

Much like us, dogs love to sunbathe, but always push it a little too far, again, just like us! Being exposed to the direct sunshine outside is a sure-fire way to heatstroke and dehydration which will leave your Havi feeling very ill.

2. Always Keep Water Clean & Fresh

I know we are all guilty of this sometimes, we leave our dog’s water a little too long, and it ends up with gunk and trails of their saliva in it. It turns out, that dogs are much more inclined to drink their water if it’s clean, gunk-free, and slightly cool.

Hydration is crucial to effectively regulate body temperature, but your Havanese probably isn’t drinking as much as he should. Keeping his water clean and fresh at all times is a must.

3. Get An Elevated Cooling Bed

Probably my favorite item I own for my dog is an elevated cooling bed. It sounds fancy, but it isn’t. It’s just a minimal style bed that’s raised up from the floor slightly by a metal frame.

The material of the bed is similar to that of a trampoline, which is perforated. This allows for air to breeze through underneath your Havanese’s belly area, which works wonders to expel heat.

This has become my dog’s favorite place to lay regardless of hot weather or not. Check this awesome one out on Amazon.

4. Save Exercise For Mornings Or Evenings

This ties into avoiding midday sun, but needs to be mentioned on its own. Havanese love their exercise and despite being a small dog, should receive a solid 60 minutes per day.

It’s very important to walk your Havi when the temperatures are lower, either in the morning or evening times. This will make a big difference to how your Havi tolerates his walk, and feels for the rest of the day.

5. Hot Pavements Can Burn Paws

Certain pavements and tarmacs can become extremely hot after having been in direct sunshine.

Hot surfaces can easily burn a dog’s paw pads. This is not only incredibly painful for any dog, but it will require veterinary assistance.

A good rule to remember is that if it’s too hot for your hand, then it’s too hot for your Havanese.

6. Always Have One Area Kept Cool

Whether this means having the AC turned on periodically, or leaving a blower/fan turned on in one room, your Havanese should always have access to a cool place in the house.

Having a cool place to retreat to makes a world of difference. Whenever your Havanese feels he’s too hot, he’ll know exactly where to go to remain comfortable. This is simple but essential.

7. Frozen Treats

This is one your Havanese will truly appreciate. You can make a range of yummy frozen treats that will immediately cool your Havanese down in hot temperatures.

From frozen yogurt, frozen bananas, ice cubes with peanut butter, and meat-stock ice cubes, they are all great snacks to have at the ready throughout the afternoon.

You can also plop a few ice cubes (even plain ones) into their water bowl. This acts as an interesting game while simultaneously cooling down their water and hydrating your Havanese.

8. Get A Doggy Paddling Pool

If you have your own yard, a doggy paddling pool should be something to consider. Most Havanese love swimming and with a little practice make excellent swimmers.

There’s no better way to cool down than a swim around in the pool. Fortunately, you can get a good quality pool on Amazon for a reasonable price.

If this is of interest to you, you should definitely check out my article that shows you how to teach your Havanese to swim.

So, Can Havanese Live In Hot Countries?

Absolutely, they can, whether you’re in Southern California, Texas, or even India, as long as you assist your Havanese in keeping cool, he will adapt to the heat without issues.

Please remember, that all Havanese have their own individual tolerances, so even if the temperature doesn’t feel that hot to you, it may already be too hot for your Havanese.

Other Popular Havanese Articles:
Why Do Havanese Dogs Eat Their Poop? And What To Do
6 Reasons Why Your Havanese Might Not Be Eating Their Food


Most Recommended For Havanese

Best Brushes For Shedding 

To maintain shedding, you’ll need a regular brushing routine, but most importantly, the right kind of brushes. A simple Undercoat Rake and a Slicker Brush are by far the two best brushes to keep the hairs at bay.

Best Online Training Program

Brain Training For Dogs has become increasingly popular with working dogs in the last few years and is now recognized as one of the best ways to train dogs in the most stress-free, positive way.

Best Low-Calorie Treats

Keep your Havanese at the correct weight by switching out the high-calorie treats and opting for something healthier. Zuke’s Mini Naturals contain only 2 calories per treat and are made from natural ingredients, making these some of the healthiest treats on the market.


Other sources:
https://www.vets-now.com/summer/when-is-it-too-hot-to-walk-a-dog/



Disclaimer

Before making any decisions that could affect the health and/or safety of your dog, you should always consult a trained veterinarian in your local area. Even though this content may have been written/reviewed by a trained veterinarian, our advice to you is to always consult your own local veterinarian in person. Please read our full dislcaimer if you have any questions.