During the hot summer months, your dog probably enjoys long walks outside, jumping in and out of the local pond or ocean coast, or just simply hanging around the yard. It is a fun time and because the weather is so nice most dogs prefer to be outside where all of the excitement is at! However, there is one unique danger that a lot of dog owners do not think of when the temperatures become extremely hot, and that is heatstroke or heat stress.
When people are vigorously active outdoors during the summertime when the weather is hot, they do not have to think twice about going inside to cool off or stopping what they are doing in order to replenish bodily fluids with lots of water. But dogs on the other hand, have a habit of being so involved with whatever they are doing outside that they may go long periods of time without hydration and without stopping to cool off.
Do you know the one place where you can rub your dog that will make him curl up in a ball of ecstasy? You guessed it, his belly! Dogs absolutely love when they get their tummy’s rubbed and can even be put to sleep that way. I have successfully made my Chihuahuas snooze by rubbing their bellies in just 10 minutes!
Many dogs will literally roll on their backs, put their paws up, and demand that you rub their belly. Some dog owners fear that this is an act of submission and should be eradicated. This is not necessarily true. While it is known that overly submissive dogs who have stress issues do practice this behavior of showing their underside when approached, it is just as normal for a strong and dominant dog to rollover when he is in the company of people he trusts.
Dogs that are placed in this group were originally developed for a specific task. However, because man does not rely on these dogs anymore for work that used to be assigned to them, these breeds are mainly kept as a family pet and companion. Behaviors and personalities of dogs in this group vary significantly because each of them were originally bred to do different jobs.
Because of the difference in personalities and traits of these breeds, it would be wise to consult an expert such as a vet or a breeder of that specific breed before you make the purchase. This way, you know what to expect and if that particular breed will fit into your environment and lifestyle. Below are examples of breeds that fall under this category:
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