HOW DO DOGS SWEAT?
Dogs do not sweat through their skin like humans do. Instead, they regulate their body temperature primarily by panting. When a dog pants, moisture is evaporated from their tongue, mouth, and respiratory tract, which cools the body.
Dogs also have sweat glands located on their paw pads, which can help to cool them down a little bit, but this method of cooling is much less effective than panting. Additionally, some dog breeds have fewer sweat glands on their paw pads, which can make it harder for them to regulate their body temperature through sweating.
Overall, while dogs do have some ability to sweat, it is not their primary method of cooling off like it is for humans.
Humans have sweat glands distributed all over their skin, which produce sweat that evaporates and cools the body. However, dogs have a much different anatomy and physiology, which means they don't sweat in the same way.
Dogs have a few sweat glands on their body, but they are mostly located on their paw pads. These sweat glands are called eccrine glands, and they secrete a watery fluid that can help to cool the dog down a little bit. However, the amount of sweat produced by these glands is much less than what humans produce, and it is not enough to cool the dog down significantly.
Instead, dogs rely on panting as their primary method of cooling off. When a dog pants, they inhale cooler air and exhale warm, moist air. As the moisture evaporates from their tongue, mouth, and respiratory tract, it cools the dog's body. This is why dogs pant heavily when they are hot or exercising - it helps them regulate their body temperature.
It's worth noting that some dog breeds are better equipped to handle heat than others. *Breeds with shorter muzzles, like Bulldogs and Pugs, have a harder time panting effectively, which can make it more difficult for them to cool down. Similarly, dogs with thick coats may have a harder time dissipating heat through their skin, which can also make it harder for them to stay cool, however, it is NEVER recommended to shave a ‘Double coated’ breed of dog because you assume that will make them cooler. TO the contrary, if you shave a double coated breed of dog you will actually be ‘taking away’ their ability to regulate their body temperature as well as the coat that naturally and effectively protects their vital organs in their torso region. That coat is their built-in, Goddess-given protection. The only reasons you should be considering shaving it would be in extreme cases like if they are ever to get severe mange, get some substance like tar all over themselves; situations like this. Considering all that you have just learned about dogs and how they are able to sweat to try to keep themselves cool and that this is not an easy thing for them to do, you should also be considerate and unselfish when choosing what breed of dog you may wish to live with. We humans have learned to adapt to all different types of weather and climates as we migrated across the globe but the same is not as true for our canine friends. If you live in Florida you may not want to get a Samoyed or a Siberian Husky for example, as these breeds were ‘meant to live and thrive in extremely cold arctic climates like Siberia.’ You’re only going to be able to take them outside very very early in the morning and right around dusk or later at nite because it is just going to be way too hot and humid for them to really be ‘comfortable’ and you really don’t want to see them have to live their entire lives indoors in the air conditioning and not be the happy active breeds they were meant to be do you?… Same holds true for if you live in Minnesota and you decide you’d like to have a Chinese Crested - (they are mostly hairless and very susceptible to cold climates). Consider all factors including your lifestyle, the dog breed, its natural most comfortable way of being and so on. Be kind and compassionate.
