travelling with an old sheep dog to hot climates
I'm new to the forum. I'm a first time dog owner and would consider getting an old english sheepdog, however I am a bit concerned about travelling with my dog to hotter climates. regarding overheating, is it safe to take the dogs to California, or Florida, or the Caribbeans? Would trimming the fur down to a bare minimum help with overheating? thanks  |
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A very popular show dog breeder (tojo) is from TX. I'm also from TX, and didn't have a problem. Of course keeping them in a puppycut helps. 
You just can't keep them outside overnight if it's hot. Can't keep them outside for long periods of time unless there is shade and PLENTY of water. We ALWAYS kept a bottle of water and a little tray to give her water in the back of the SUV. That way we never had to worry about forgetting to bring it. We travel A LOT (traveled from TX to Alaska). Other than that, your dog can find exercise inside with games, chase, and going for long walks at night. Otherwise, the AC will keep them plenty to keep them cool. |
what indoor exercising options do I have? I don't live in a house so letting the dog run around the apartment isn't something i want to do. I'd rather do midnight walks  |
| Exercising their mind helps them calm down in the house too!
Like... hiding the ball, and saying "Where's the ball?" Start with something very simple, and then move from there. Motivation may be by using a treat ball. Giving your doggie a Kong is exercise for the brain. Throwing a ball around. Even in the smallest apt, dogs find a way to run around. Even though most of the time, it's on top of you, on the couch, on the bed, and bumping everything over. I know this first hand because we lived in the smallest apt before we moved to Alaska. It was temporary since we were in Oklahoma for 6 months.  I had a huge headache from our 2 dogs and 1 cat running around in space barely enough for us to lay on the floor. The evening walks around the lake made her SUPER calm the rest of the day. The days she didn't get one ....YOU COULD TELL!
Short training sessions is a good way to keep exercise their mind. Teach them a new trick, and when they get that... teach them a new one!
Anyway, they are VERY hyper dogs as puppies (until 2 yrs old). They do need their exercise, but it is possible to have them and keep them happy in an apartment. |
| I live in Central Florida with Violet, OES and China, Aussie Shepherd. I do live in a house with a/c and a doggie door. So both dogs can come and goes as they please. I have watched both dogs lay outside in the backyard in the sun in the dead of summer and nap. When they would come in the house their coats where hot to the touch. They amazed me. Their coats work as an insulator. Of course I do not take them for their walks in the middle of the day, that is done at early morning or in the evening. Besides the heat I am concerned about their paws on the hot cement/asphalt. During the summer they do spend most of the day in the a/c until evening when it starts to cool down. Just leave water and shade available for them. I would not leave them outside all day unsupervised. Once the temps get down to around 80 both dogs spend most of the day taking their naps outside, but of course can come in when they want. Violet is in full coat and so is China. |
| so say i made the effort to give hima puppy cut during summer, just to help him a bit of a break, it would be like taking care of any other dog or cat in the summer...right?
i have 2 cats and i had to get a/c specially for them |
| I don't want to come off harsh, and maybe I'm reading too much into your post, but if you're a heavy traveler, I might actually reconsider getting any kind of dog let alone a large, high maintenance one. Traveling is tough on animals, especially when flying may be involved. A lot of dogs wind up in rescue because their owners find that they no longer have the time for them. For a first time dog owner, and if you want a traveling buddy, I'd consider something smaller with less maintenance. |
| I live in Louisiana and we have 3 sheepies but we keep them in a puppy cut from April until the end of Sept. We also don't go outside much during the day during the hottest months preferring to stay inside in the air conditioning. It can be done but traveling with a large dog or dogs can sometimes be a problem as a lot of hotels will not allow the large size dogs.
I agree with Butterscotch that if you are going to be traveling quite a bit and possibly flying - I would get a much smaller dog as a companion. |
| no i'm not a "frequent" traveller. |
| Many Sheepdogs live just fine in the deep south -- exercise is kept to a minimum during the heat of the day, especially if in full coat.
Transition when travelling is another story; if you're going to travel into hot climate, just remember you dog will be as uncomfortable and as unused to the hotter weather as you are. So keep things calm for a few days as they acclimate, and consider a shorter heaircut. When travelling from the south up north, consider some doggie clothes. A big WELCOME to the forum! |
| oh yeah good point!! (about the body temperature change)
thanks for the welcome to the board |
guineapig wrote: so say i made the effort to give hima puppy cut during summer, just to help him a bit of a break, it would be like taking care of any other dog or cat in the summer...right?
Hi! Welcome to the forum. One of our members did a wonderful article on sheepdogs and summer care. Its here: http://forum.oes.org/viewtopic.php?t=2554 |
| Welcome to the Forum.
I live in Arizona. Bailey copes with the heat the same way people do. We keep Bailey in a puppy cut during the summer months. We walk him early in the morning for exercise, and take him to the dog park early am or after dinner. He doesn't like to go out much during the day and if he has to he'll find shade. And he drinks a lot of water. |
| ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I agree with Sues post. I also live in Arizona. Panda is cut even shorter...down to 1/4 of an inch during the summer months...walks are early am or after dark...lots of water...and stays inside 90% of the time. Also, Panda does not like pools but loves the hose...so after dark we go out and have sprinkler play time.... |
| I just loaded a picture of Obe in Florida over Thanksgiving(chin drenched). It was rather warm but he did okay just made sure he had plenty of water and he stayed inside(his choice) for the most part. At night time I would take him out for a nice long walk and usually we went for one in the morning. Obe is just 4 1/2 months so he is not in full coat but he has traveled with me since he was 10 wks old. We have been to Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, and currently are in North Carolina for Christmas. My Family loves him but after New years we will be back in the mountains of Colorado which is home. As far traveling I could not ask for better companion, there has been some really funny moments. Hope this helps. |
| Obe is a cutey! Thanks for the pictures. We love to hear the funny stories too! |
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