Weather OK for a German Shepherd? (Phoenix, Glendale: live in, to relocate, dog parks)

[Snarky Prof]

I am considering places to relocate because of my RA, but I have another concern. I have a German Shepherd-Lab mix who has the German Shepherd coat, which means he has a double coat. It's fine for the winter, but I am wondering if the weather would be too much for him. I live in Western NY now and the humidity in the summer is tough on him.

[US-Traveller]

I would think as long as you kept your dog indoors and only let it out for exercise and to do its business it should be fine in the Phoenix weather.

[Ponderosa]

German shepherds do fine here. You see them everywhere. The only dogs that really are at risk are the short-snouted ones like pugs.

[AZ Tracy]

I used to have a German Shepherd/Husky mix. He was a beautiful dog, but boy did he shed. In the summer, he'd let me vacuum his body.....it saved a step in the clean up process!

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Snarky Prof

I am considering places to relocate because of my RA, but I have another concern. I have a German Shepherd-Lab mix who has the German Shepherd coat, which means he has a double coat. It's fine for the winter, but I am wondering if the weather would be too much for him. I live in Western NY now and the humidity in the summer is tough on him.

Air Conditioning is everywhere here in Arizona, Snarky.

Plan B . . . consider enrolling him in "Doggie Camp" in the Mountains during July and August

! ! ! ! ! !.

[cap1717]

My very heavy coated Collie does fine. . . sleeps indoors with the AC during the day, uses the doggie door for getting out for essential functions. . . . No dog should be left out in this kind of heat in the summer. . . even with shade and water constantly available, it is just too hot!

[santos]

Everyone and everything suffers in the Arizona summer. Do plan on vacuuming him, you'll probably find that his coat doesn't get as dense either--mother nature is awesome. The dog will be fine.

[Searcher521]

The summer is tough on all dogs. The key is to exercise early mornings enjoying the overnight low temperatures and hole up in the air conditioning throughout the daylight hours. There a quite a few dog parks which reamain open at night that affords an opportunity for exercise and play. Ours in Glendale is open until 10pm.

[Vinny536]

i have a pure bred mostly black plush german shepherd. she loves the heat. in the summer she chooses to be outside laying in the sun most of the day. I say she chooses because she has a dog door and spends most her day outside.

[AzDreamer]

I have heard that breeds with high muscle mass and short noses are more sensitive to the heat. I guess an english bulldog would be an example of a breed that is more sensitive to heat.