How to Keep a Curly-Coated Retriever Cool in the Summer
The Curly-Coated Retriever is an energetic, fun-loving breed that thrives on outdoor adventures. But their thick, dense curls can cause them to easily overheat in the summer months. Preventing heat stress is crucial to keep your Curly healthy and comfortable when temperatures rise. Follow these tips to help your Curly beat the heat.
Know the Signs of Heat Stress
It's important to recognize the early signs of heat stress in Curly-Coated Retrievers so you can take quick action. Watch for:
- Heavy panting or breathing issues
- Bright red tongue and gums
- Thick, sticky saliva
- Lethargy, unwillingness to move
- Muscle tremors or weakness
- Increased heart rate
- Vomiting or diarrhea
Take these as warnings to get your dog cooled down immediately. If untreated, heat stress can lead rapidly to heat stroke, which is life threatening. Know the symptoms and respond quickly.
Access to Cool Water
Ensuring your Curly-Coated Retriever has constant access to fresh, cool water is one of the best ways to prevent overheating and dehydration.
- Provide multiple bowls around yard and house
- Always bring water on walks and hikes
- Encourage regular drinking during play sessions
- Consider getting a drinking fountain with filtered water
- Add ice cubes to water for added cooling
Free access to water helps Curly-Coated Retrievers regulate their body temperature and prevents dangerous dehydration. Bring water anytime you leave home.
Swimming Pool Access
Thanks to their original purpose as water retrievers, most Curly-Coated Retrievers are natural swimmers and absolutely love taking a dip to cool down.
- Provide supervised pool access on hot days
- Test young Curly's swimming skills first before free access
- Rinse off pool chemicals after swimming
- Towel dry ears to prevent water buildup
- Always supervise pool time - Curly's can drown if exhausted
Swimming gives overheated Curlies an efficient way to cool down while also providing fun exercise. Just take proper safety precautions.
Cooling Bandanas & Vests
Special cooling gear makes using your Curly's innate evaporative cooling system easier.
- Soak bandanas in cool water then put in fridge or freezer before walks
- Ice vest harnesses allow inserts to keep core cooled
- Avoid alcohol or chemical gel packs that could irritate skin
- Re-wet periodically to reactivate cooling effect
These provide portable cooling relief when out and about with your Curly on hot days. Look for brands made for dogs to ensure proper fit.
Limit Exercise in Heat
Vigorous exercise inherently generates body heat, so it's best to restrict your Curly's most intense activities to cooler parts of the day in summer.
- Exercise first thing in the morning or after the sun sets
- Substitute rigorous exercise with mental games and moderate indoor play when hot
- Monitor for overheating during walks - take breaks and rehydrate
- Avoid long hikes on extremely hot days
- NEVER leave your Curly in a parked car on warm days
Keeping exercise light and sensible during heat waves helps prevent your Curly from tipping into dangerous overheating territory after too much physical exertion.
Access to Shade
Ensure your Curly-Coated Retriever has shady spots to rest and cool down, both indoors and outdoors.
- Shaded yard areas, porches or gazebos
- Ventilated dog houses or shelters
- Indoor crate or designated cool room
- Take shade breaks during walks
- Dog-friendly stores for errands
- Use sunscreen on light skin if prolonged sun exposure
Access to shade gives hot Curly's a cooler place to relax and regulates their body temperature. Rotate water frozen in jugs to make outdoor shade even chillier.
Schedule Grooming for Cooler Weather
A Curly's thick coat requires regular grooming year-round, but be strategic about timing during hot weather.
- Avoid heavy duty brushing or blow drying coats on hot days
- Book full grooming appointments in spring or fall
- Bathe early or late in the day during heat waves
- Brush lightly to remove dead hair and distribute oils
- Trim coat only if severely matted
While regular brushing helps removed trapped heat, intensive grooming can overheat a Curly. Time robust grooming sessions for more moderate weather.
Cooling Treats & Foods
You can use food to help cool your Curly down from the inside out. Some refreshing options include:
- Frozen broth ice cubes
- Fresh fruits like melon and berries
- DIY pupsicles made from broth, pureed fruits, or yogurt
- Wet food adds moisture to diet
- Avoid spicy human foods that may cause stomach upset
Feed these cooling snacks on hot days or use them as training treats. Just avoid giving too many sugary fruits to prevent diarrhea. Frozen and wet foods help hydrate and cool.
Time for a Haircut?
If overheating is a persistent issue, consider a summer haircut for your Curly-Coated Retriever.
- Consult a professional groomer about suitable cuts for Curlies
- Clip coat shorter but avoid shaving to the skin
- Focus on trimming dense hair on the torso
- Leave "clown feet" of hair to protect paw pads
- Allow longer hair on extremities to prevent sunburn
- Expect rapid regrowth - plan for continued trims
While a shorter cut is not traditionally standard for show dogs, pet Curlies can benefit from a summer clip to help them stay cooler in hot climates.
Elderly & Overweight Curlies
Extra steps may be needed for senior dogs or overweight Curlies prone to overheating.
- Restrict exercise times and intensity
- Ensure accessible water and shade
- Cool indoor space with fans
- Brush coat frequently to prevent matting
- Discuss haircut options with your groomer
- Consult your vet if signs of heat exhaustion
With their already compromised health, heat stress can hit elderly or obese Curly's harder. Take every precaution to keep them cool and hydrated.
Prevention Is Key
The key to keeping your Curly-Coated Retriever comfortable in hot weather is prevention. Be proactive by:
- Having fresh water available at all times
- Providing access to shade and swimming
- Scheduling outdoor time carefully
- Watching closely for early signs of overheating
- Learning ideal methods to cool down your Curly
With proper preparation and preventative measures, you can enjoy the summer months with your Curly-Coated Retriever while keeping their risk of heat stress low. Stay cool!
Recap: Cool Tips for Hot Summer Days
Here's a quick recap of tips for keeping your Curly cool when the mercury rises:
- Unlimited access to cool water
- Swimming time to cool down
- Shade breaks during exercise and play
- Cooling vests, bandanas, and foods
- Restrict intense activity to early/late hours
- Proper coat grooming and haircuts
- Extra precautions for senior and overweight Curlies
- Respond immediately to signs of overheating
With a little planning and awareness, summertime fun with your Curly-Coated Retriever can stay safe as well as enjoyable. Beat the heat!