This is probably a stupid question, but...

Calia

Do bigger dogs pant more than smaller dogs?

Ever since we got Tikaani, well ever since he passed 30lbs, I've noticed that his panting is so much more than any of the other dogs I've ever lived with (the heaviest being 25lbs.) When he was younger I was very concerned about the panting, but that concern could have stemmed from him being sick, as other family members say that this is just because he is not a small dog.

He is the first dog over 25lbs that I have ever lived with, so I am not sure if this is normal for a dog his size (60lbs) or if this is a cause for concern. What do you guys think?

tjbart17

hmmm Beth I think so. Bear panted a lot more than most dogs. Ofcourse, he was also dark and I'm sure that didn't help. I would also think that long haired dogs would as well. But I can't tell you from experience.

ljowen123

My husky panted way more than Jazz has ever done - prior to Jazz, I only had one other small dog. All of my big dogs were huge panters. Dogs cool themselves via panting so it's seems logical (to me anyway) that it would require more panting to cool down a larger dog.

asia

Most of the dogs I have been around have been on the larger side, and all of them had a tendency to pant, particularly if it is hot and/or humid. However, the small dogs I have spent the most time with were of the pug and pekingese variety. I would have to say hands down, the pug was the worst .

And by the way, Tikaani is one amazingly beautiful dog! I was aw-struck at the recent photos!

Leonberger

I'd say it makes sense. Size is one of the ways animals "protect themselves" from cold. That's because a larger animal has less relative surface area to volume ratio than a small one, making him have less surface to exchange heat with the environment. So, the reverse seems logical, if they loose less heat when it's cold, they'll loose less and keep more heat when it's hot. On dogs that will mean they have to pant more to exchange more heat with their surroundings.

shimaurashibalover92

I think that makes sense. When Katsu was really tiny she wouldn't pant. As she's gotten bigger she pants a little more. I think larger dogs do pant more because all the dogs I've ever known have been well over 25lbs and panted. In fact I noticed Katsu lack of panting at first and thought it was kind of strange. In my head dogs always equaled panting

baanton

What everyone says make sense (i.e. size of dog, correlation for need for panting to help regulate the heating and cooling of the body, etc.). Josephine's panting increases exponentially with the warmer weather (black doggie, absorbing heat), and also when she plays like a maniac with other dogs, chasing the wild bunnies, etc. The panting will continue for some time (I presume until her body heat is stabilized at a comfortable level). Also I have noticed a (loose) correlation with the size of the dog and "drooling" based on observations at the dog park and neighborhood doggies. Not sure if that is part of the cooling process for a dog, but it seems the larger the dog, the more drool especially when they are playing hard with each other or running. Josephine (about 42 lbs) hardly drools at all by comparison her buddy Eddie (120 lb. Golden Retriever). It seems to me the smaller dogs like shibas, pugs, terriers, etc. seem to have no discernible drool. Final observation--- the larger dogs that drool a lot also seem to have larger tongues. I think its all interconnected...

obuk

I once met a Great Dane at a dog park and that one drooooooled like crazy! So yeah, I definitely think the drooling part of it is true too.

Calia

Thanks guys, I guess I am just being super worrisome about him, sometimes it seems like Tikaani (or maybe it is Tom) has the worst luck making us over worry.

brandon_w

He is a husky, he is going to pant a lot, in the summer. Not much you can do about it. Just keep his water around and he will be fine. When it's 80 or warmer and real sunny out, I only take Nemo on a short afternoon walk. Then later in the evening as the sun is going down, or even down, we take a longer walk. Our morning walk is also extended. Nemo seems to appreciate it, Tikanni might benefit from the same thing.