Cats have the good sense to nap in a cool place during the heat of a summer day but dogs lack that same good sense. If dogs were given the opportunity to run and play with their owner in the heat of a summer day, the dogs would keep going until they collapsed.
Dogs rely on their owners to keep them cool during the summer and avoid heat risks. Walk and exercise your dog only during the coolest part of the day. Heat risks are still there for dogs during the cool parts of the day, since they are enveloped in a fur coat. Watch for signs of heat risks like glassy eyes or frantic panting from your dog. Either of these signs means your dog is overheated and needs immediate help from a veterinarian.
Dogs in the high heat risk category or older dogs, over weight dogs and dog with short noses. Yes, dogs with short noses are less heat tolerant than dogs that have long noses.
To avoid heat risks this summer when your dog is outside, the dog needs constant access to shade and to fresh, cool drinking water.