Livestock Guardian Dogs for Hot Climates

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So, you want a livestock guardian dog, but you live in a hot climate. What do you do? While most livestock guardian dog (LGD) breeds were bred to live in colder climates, many do very well in hot climates too.

Which livestock guardian dogs do well in hot climates? Although most livestock guardian dog breeds will be able to adjust to hot climates, breeds with shorter coats or those that shed their winter undercoat efficiently do best. These breeds include the Akbash, Kangal, Anatolian Shepherd, Maremma, and Spanish Mastiff.

How Are Livestock Guardian Dogs Able to Handle the Heat with Such Thick Coats?

Most breeds of livestock guardian dogs have double or triple layers of fur. In order to prepare their bodies for the heat of the summer, they will begin to shed their thick winter coats during the spring season.

To assist in this process, you should be brushing your LGDs regularly to loosen and remove the excess fur. This allows the air to circulate around the dog’s skin which helps with natural body temperature regulation. The remaining outer coat protects the dog from overheating and sunburn.

Does Humidity Matter for Livestock Guardian Dogs in Hot Climates?

Yes! Dogs have a really difficult time when it is both hot and humid. LGDs are able to combat hot temperatures as they can keep air circulating through their top coat. However, when humidity is added into the mix, things become much trickier.

Not only does humidity make it feel hotter than it actually is, the additional water vapor in the air makes your dogs’ coats damp and heavy. This greatly restricts the coats’ ability to naturally breathe. This means the primary mechanism assisting in keeping the dog cool is greatly impacted by humidity. Because of this, LGDs in hot climates do much better where the climate is also dry.

Livestock Guardian Dog Breeds That Do Best in the Heat

The following livestock guardian dog breeds are better suited for the heat than others (click on the breed for more breed info):

Akbash – Many Akbash dogs have shorter coats that make them look more like Labrador Retrievers. These dogs can do very well in hotter climates.
Anatolian Shepherd – This breed’s coat is highly weather resistant in both cold and hot climates. The short coat is often preferred by those in hotter climates as it requires less maintenance.
Central Asian Shepherd – These dogs have a shorter coat which makes them more suitable for hotter climates.
Estrela Mountain Dog – The short haired variety of this dog does well in both hot and humid climates. Unfortunately, not only are Estrela Mountain Dogs not very common in the United States, as far as I can tell, the short haired variety has not been imported at all.
Kangal – This LGD breed does well in extreme weather – hot or cold. They have a natural short coat in the summer which helps them handle the heat.
Maremma – This breed is able to handle hot temperatures as they shed their heavy winter undercoat and leave a thin summer coat that protects against the sun but allows them to regulate their body temperature.
Spanish Mastiff – Although these dogs have heavy double coats, they are well suited to both hot/dry and cold/snowy climates. Unfortunately, they do not do well in hot and humid environments as their huge size makes it harder for them to regulate their temperatures in humidity than some other breeds.

Livestock Guardian Dog Breeds That Do Worse in Heat

The following livestock guardian dog breeds have a particularly hard time in the heat (click on the breed for more breed info):

Pyrenean Mastiff – If provided the proper protections against the heat, this dog can do well in hot climates. However, hot and humid climates are highly uncomfortable for this breed.
Caucasian Ovcharka – This dog has a double-coat with longer hair and is not suitable for very hot or humid climates.
Great Pyrenees – Due to their heavy, double coat, they are typically not suited for extremely hot weather. If you do have a Great Pyr and live in a hot climate, make sure to provide him with many ways to cool himself down and groom him often.
Komondor – This breed does not do well in hotter climates because the dogs’ fur forms cords instead of shedding. The soft undercoat actually becomes trapped under the coarse outer hairs which makes it nearly impossible for air to circulate and reduce body temperature.
Sarplaninac – This LGD breed is not suited for hot or humid climates as they have an extremely heavy double coat, a thick ruff around their neck, and longer hair on their backs and extremities.
Tibetan Mastiff – Their double coat is dense, straight, and heavy. They are not recommended for tropical climates for this reason. They may survive in hot climates, but may not fully thrive.

How to Keep Your Livestock Guardian Dogs Cool in a Hot Climate

The most important, and most obvious factor, for caring for LGDs in a hot climate is to keep your dogs cool as best as you can. Your dogs should have access to fresh water at all times, and preferably it should be cool water to assist in regulating body temperature.

Some LGD owners will bring their dogs inside for the hotter parts of the day and then allow them to chase predators at night when the temperature is cooler. Many breeds will naturally rest during the day and patrol at night anyway.

However, many of us are not able to have our dogs inside during the heat of the day (who will watch the livestock?). In these cases, you must provide your LGDs with a shaded shelter out of the heat. This shelter should be insulated if possible and have good ventilation. If the temperature is really hot, have a fan going. This shelter can either stand alone or be a part of a shelter the dogs share with the livestock they’re guarding.

Another great way to provide some relief from the heat is providing your LGDs with small plastic kid pools filled with cold water. Dogs can cool off by standing (or even laying) in the pool – this can really help drop their body temperatures. Bonus – it also provides your dogs with a secondary source of drinking water. See this illustrated in the YouTube video below:

Grooming is also an incredibly important component in keeping your LGDs cool during the hot months.

Brush your LGDs regularly. Some breeds are going to have coats that require a lot more brushing and coat care than others. However, every LGD should be brushed and groomed, especially during shedding seasons. This will help keep their cooling mechanisms working efficiently.

For most LGDs there are some tips, tricks, and tools that will help make your grooming experience easier for both you and your LGD.

Initially, you’ll want to use what is called an undercoat rake. This tool allows you to get below the guard hairs (which are necessary to block from the sun’s harmful rays) and pull out the dead undercoat hairs that are being shed. If your dog has shorter fur, you will usually only need the short tooth rake brush (see it at Amazon). Longer haired dogs will require a long tooth rake brush.

You should buy a brush that has rounded tips to prevent injury and discomfort to the dog. Brush through your dog’s fur using short quick strokes working from tail to head (against the grain).

After using the rake, there will be lots of stray hairs and fur. You will want to use a slicker brush next. If your LGD has thicker fur, you’ll want to use a hard-slicker brush (see it at Amazon). Otherwise, a soft slicker brush will do. This is considered a finishing brush that will clean out the dirt and loose hair.

Direction does matter – go with the coat rather than against it (head to tail). The brush will not get very deep into the coat but will make the coat fluffy. This will help with heat regulation.

Pinbrushes are another type of finishing brush that can be useful. They kind of look like human brushes with bristles on one side and pin brushes on the other. Again, this is used typically as a polishing brush rather than a de-shedding brush and will help “fluff up” the dog’s guard fur. Fine- and course-tined combs and double-sided combs are also helpful as they assist in breaking up mats and tangles.

Below is an excellent detailed YouTube video on grooming LGDs:

Should You Shave Your Livestock Guardian Dogs in Hot Climates?

No, you should absolutely not shave your dogs. The dogs’ summer coat keeps the sun from overheating them and protects your dogs’ skin from sunburns. LGDs’ coats also give them an added layer of protection against predators. If your LGD gets into a fight with a coyote, the coyote will get a mouthful of fur before reaching skin.

If you suspect your dog is getting too hot, regardless of the additional measures you’re implementing, you can request that your groomer do what is called an “underside trim” (but never a full shave). The underpart of your dog’s body is not as exposed to the sun and therefore trimming it could provide your dog some relief in extreme heat.