Heat-tolerant dogs: breeds for hot climates
Short coat, long muzzle, slim build: some breeds handle hot summers better. Flat-faced dogs, on the other hand, suffer quickly. Early morning walks and fresh water are still the rule.
Ranked using our 1 to 5 ratings on 20 criteria, up to date as of October 13, 2026.
Refine with your own criteria-

Rhodesian Ridgeback
Southern Africa · Scent hounds
Large · high energy · minimal coat care
Not suited to apartment living -

Australian Kelpie
Australia · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs
Medium · boundless energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Saluki
Middle East (Fertile Crescent) · Sighthounds
Large · high energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Azawakh
Mali · Sighthounds
Large · high energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Thai Ridgeback
Thailand · Spitz and primitive types
Medium · high energy · minimal coat care
Not suited to apartment living -

Dalmatian
Dalmatia, Croatia · Scent hounds
Medium · boundless energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Australian Cattle Dog
Australia · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs
Medium · boundless energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Kangal Shepherd Dog
Sivas, Turkey · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Giant · moderate energy · low coat care
Sheds a lot -

Basenji
Central Africa · Spitz and primitive types
Medium · high energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Cursinu
France (Corsica) · Spitz and primitive types
Medium · high energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Spanish Water Dog
Spain · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Medium · high energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Xoloitzcuintli
Mexico · Spitz and primitive types
Medium · moderate energy · low coat care
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Pharaoh Hound
Malta · Spitz and primitive types
Medium · high energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Catahoula Leopard Dog
Louisiana, United States
Medium · boundless energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Bluetick Coonhound
United States
Large · high energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -

American Foxhound
United States · Scent hounds
Medium · boundless energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Plott Hound
North Carolina, United States
Medium · high energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Redbone Coonhound
United States
Large · high energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone -

Treeing Walker Coonhound
United States
Large · boundless energy · minimal coat care
Struggles when left alone
The breeds that struggle most in the heat
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Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Russia · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Sensitive to heat -

King Charles Spaniel
England · Companion and toy dogs
Sensitive to heat -

Japanese Chin
Japan · Companion and toy dogs
Sensitive to heat -

Pekingese
China · Companion and toy dogs
Sensitive to heat -

Bullmastiff
England · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Sensitive to heat -

Old English Sheepdog
England · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs
Sensitive to heat