4 breeds · updated Oct 2026

Best dog breeds for hot weather

Some breeds cope with warm weather better than others, but no dog is immune to heatstroke. Dogs overheat more easily than people, because they cannot sweat the way we do and wear a fur coat, so a hot, humid day can turn dangerous fast for any dog.

This list includes only breeds rated 4 or 5 for handling heat, highest first, with general health used to break ties. The cutoff is strict, so if your favorite breed is missing, it scores lower for heat tolerance in its profile.

Heat risk is not only about breed. Cornell's veterinary college lists short muzzles, thick or dark coats, older age, excess weight and heart or breathing problems as raising the risk. A well-rated breed that is overweight, unfit or exercised at midday can still overheat.

  1. 1

    Australian Cattle Dog

    Herding · Medium · 35–50 lb (16–23 kg)

    The Australian Cattle Dog is a compact, tough herding dog bred to move stubborn cattle across rough country. It is smart, loyal and tireless, and it needs a real job and a lot of exercise. In the right active…

    Handles heat
    Energy level
  2. 2

    Miniature Pinscher

    Toy · Toy · 8–10 lb (4–5 kg)

    The Miniature Pinscher is a tiny, high-energy toy dog that stands 10 to 12.5 in (25 to 32 cm) and weighs about 8 to 10 lb (3.6 to 4.5 kg). Min Pins are bold, funny and devoted, but they bark a lot, chill easil…

    Handles heat
    Energy level
  3. 3

    Papillon

    Toy · Toy · 5–10 lb (2–5 kg)

    The Papillon is a lively, long-lived toy spaniel with butterfly-shaped ears that weighs just 5 to 10 lb (2.3 to 4.5 kg). Paps are smart, friendly and surprisingly athletic, and they fit apartments well, but th…

    Handles heat
    Energy level
  4. 4

    Italian Greyhound

    Toy · Toy · 7–14 lb (3–6 kg)

    The Italian Greyhound is a slender, 13 to 15 in (33 to 38 cm) miniature sighthound that weighs just 7 to 14 lb (3 to 6 kg). It is a sweet, clingy lap dog that loves to sprint and curl up under blankets, but it…

    Handles heat
    Energy level

How we ranked them

Breeds qualify with a heat-tolerance rating of 4 or 5. We score each by doubling that rating and adding a small bonus for a higher general health rating, which mostly acts as a tiebreaker. Ratings come from our breed profiles and describe the typical dog of each breed. Every dog is an individual, and a good heat rating never replaces shade, water and common sense.

See how we research and rate breeds.

Before you choose

Plan around the weather, not the breed. Exercise in the cooler morning or evening, skip strenuous activity on hot, humid days and keep shade and fresh water available. Test the pavement with your hand: if you cannot hold it there for about 10 seconds, it is too hot for paws.

Never leave a dog unattended in a parked car.

Know the warning signs: heavy panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting, confusion and collapse. Heatstroke is an emergency. Start cooling your dog with cool water and get to a vet or emergency clinic right away. Read more on heatstroke.

Flat-faced, older and overweight dogs need extra care. If you jog with your dog, see our running dogs, and if your winters are long, check the cold weather dogs list.

Frequently asked questions

Which dogs overheat most easily?

Cornell lists short-muzzled breeds such as Pugs and Bulldogs, older and overweight dogs, thick- or dark-coated dogs, and dogs with heart or breathing disorders as being at higher risk. Any dog can still overheat.

What are the signs of heatstroke?

Heavy panting, drooling, vomiting, weakness, confusion, seizures and collapse. Treat it as an emergency: begin cooling your dog with cool water and call your vet or an emergency clinic right away.

Can my dog exercise in hot weather?

Avoid strenuous exercise in hot, humid weather. Choose early morning or late evening, keep outings short, bring water and stop if your dog pants heavily.

Why isn't my breed on this list?

Only breeds rated 4 or 5 for heat qualify. A lower rating does not mean you cannot live somewhere warm, only that you need to be more careful with timing, shade and cooling.

Sources

  1. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Heatstroke: A medical emergency
  2. VCA Animal Hospitals: Running with Your Dog

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