Research Note: Signalment & Heat Stress in Dogs

Dogs rely on an increased respiratory rate to initiate the necessary cooling when overheated; as such, brachycephalic dogs are particularly susceptible to hyperthermia when heat stressed. This study demonstrated that brachycephalic dogs have a decreased capacity for thermoregulation but that BCS appears to be a more important factor than breed. When considering heat stress situations, including air travel, both factors should be taken into account.