Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2024 April 13

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April 13

Temperature at which dogs stick out tongue

At what air temperature on average dogs start to stick out their tongues and at what they start to keep them inside mouth? 212.180.235.46 (talk) 18:21, 13 April 2024 (UTC)

According to this source, the air temperature surrounding the animal must not rise above 29.5°C (85°F). The same article mentions 31°C (87.8°F) as the skin temperature; at higher ambient temperatures panting becomes the only available means by which the dog can cool itself. Normal human skin temperature is a few degrees higher, so you may still be comfortable while your hot dog is not.  --Lambiam 21:15, 13 April 2024 (UTC)

Long experience tells me it varies a lot by breed and even by individual dogs. I'd be fascinated if anyone has ever worked out an average. HiLo48 (talk) 23:33, 13 April 2024 (UTC)

I would think it would also depend on the dog's activity level, i.e. whether running around or just setting. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 00:40, 14 April 2024 (UTC)

For sure. HiLo48 (talk) 01:21, 14 April 2024 (UTC)

Hm, I've seen dogs panting during walkout well below 29.5°C which looks quite high (at around 20°C or so). 212.180.235.46 (talk) 11:09, 14 April 2024 (UTC)

I imagine there are local factors and a lot of diversity. The dog that scammed his way into my house is quite heat intolerant apparently having forgotten his young wild days in a hot eucalyptus forest, whereas the semi-feral street dogs seem unbothered by temperatures like 34C while bathed in IR from concrete etc. Sean.hoyland (talk) 11:30, 14 April 2024 (UTC)