Nine dog breeds most vulnerable to heatwave as owners issued warning

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A stern warning has been issued to dog owners this summer, as the UK basks in the middle of a scorching heatwave.Pet owners have been urged to keep a close eye on their pooches, as soaring temperatures and humidity have a potentially fatal effect on the four-legged friends.And there are certain dog breeds are more at risk of things like heatstroke, dehydration and potentially death, Birmingham Live reports.

Both vets and the RSPCA have urgently advised owners against walking their dogs in the humid weather - as even a short walk could result in illness.The risk of heat-related illness is doubled for purebred dogs over crossbred pooches - with nine breeds in particular more threatened by the soaring temperatures.In first place is the chow chow dog, as they are 17 times more likely to suffer heatstroke than any other dog.Bulldogs are second place on the list, as their risk developing heatstroke is 14 times greater than other breeds.

In third and fourth place respectively are French bulldogs and French mastiffs, with greyhounds completing the top five.Making up the other four breeds in order are King Charles cavalier spaniels, pugs, English springer spaniels and finally, golden retrievers.

Emergency animal care provider Vets Now also warned rising temperatures could increase the risk of heat stroke in dogs.The care service has said they see a spike in emergency callouts as the temperature begins to rise, as they warn that temperatures above 20C put dogs at risk.They also added that heatstroke survival for dogs sits at just 50 per cent. Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our newsletter here.