These Short-Haired Dogs Make For Low Maintenance Pets

The Best Dog Boots

Dave inspects a Kurgo Blaze Cross Dog Shoe. Mel Plaut/NYT Wirecutter

We compared 17 different kinds of boots (seen here on a towel) after they got soaked, sprayed, and frozen. Mel Plaut/NYT Wirecutter

Dave inspects a Kurgo Blaze Cross Dog Shoe. Mel Plaut/NYT Wirecutter

We tested 17 sets of boots, comparing their durability, ease of use, insulation, breathability, waterproofing, and traction. In the initial phase of testing, Dave, my 65-pound mutt, tried on each boot so we could evaluate fit as well as how hard it was to get the things on and off of his feet. This helped us narrow down the field to a group of seven strong contenders, which we then tested for one to two weeks, with an adorable panel of six very good dogs ranging in size from 18 to 110 pounds.

Protection: No boot is immune to being penetrated by a sharp object, but some soles are tougher than others. We took a 2-inch framing nail, and we pressed it into the outsole of each boot with a hand inside, to gauge how sharp it felt or whether the nail penetrated the boot.

Ease of use: Getting a shoe on a dog—no matter how it's well designed—can be an arduous and ridiculous affair, and you have to repeat this for each paw. We evaluated how easy it was to secure each boot on dogs both big and small, reluctant and resigned. And we timed if and when any of the boots fell off.

Comfort: Dogs usually walk funny when you first put a set of boots on them, but eventually their gait should go somewhat back to normal. We looked at how each dog walked after the initial acclimation period, and we checked whether the boots rubbed against their dewclaws (if present). We also observed whether testers licked their paws more after removing the boots, and we kept an eye peeled for hot spots or other signs that the boots might be uncomfortable. (If your dog has sensitive skin, or you want to protect their dewclaws, pairing boots with a set of dog socks or baby socks can help.)

Flexibility: Dogs "tend to prefer something that's soft as opposed to something that's stiff," said Mary Molloy, a certified professional dog trainer and owner at Nirvana Tails in New York City. We bent and twisted the sole of each boot to see how much it might adapt to the paw's anatomy. The more flexible the boot, the better sense a dog can have of the terrain beneath their feet. But there's often a trade-off between flexibility and protection.

Durability: We dragged the toe area of each boot across a rough patch of sidewalk 20 times, to see if the upper and lower soles showed any signs of separating or peeling. We evaluated the durability of the tread by putting weight on each boot and rubbing the sole across 20 feet of pavement.

Heat retention: We inserted a remote temperature sensor into all of the boots, put them on a layer of ice in a sheet pan, and put them in the freezer for 15 minutes. We then measured how much the temperature dropped inside each boot. Since a dog's paw will produce some body heat and will naturally be warmer than a temperature sensor, we used this test simply to determine the insulation properties of the boots relative to one another.

Waterproofing: We stuck toilet paper inside each boot and then submerged it in an inch of water, leaving it there for five minutes. We then checked whether the toilet paper was dry, and we looked for any signs of dampness in the boot. For the boots that stayed dry, we soaked a fresh, dry version of the boot under the faucet on the wide spray setting for 20 seconds, and then we examined it again for any signs of water penetration.

Traction: To see how much grip each boot had, we put some of our body weight on each one and dragged it across a sheet of ice as well as across a hardwood floor.

Breathability: When dogs are hot, they mostly cool themselves down through panting, but they can also sweat through their paws, according to veterinarian Amy Nichelason. We looked for breathability by pointing a hair dryer inside and outside each boot and feeling for any kind of airflow on the other side.

Doggles And Dog Booties: Anchorage Residents Prep Pets For Volcanic Explosion

Anchorage dogs test out masks that their owner acquired to protect their eyes against volcanic ash. Heather Duffy hide caption

toggle caption Heather Duffy

When scientists announced recently that a volcano outside Anchorage was showing signs of an impending eruption, residents Alliana Salanguit and Jesslin Wooliver went looking for protective gear.

They secured what they needed to protect themselves and their belongings from corrosive ashfall, which can irritate eyes and lungs: KN95 masks, window-sealing tape and vehicle air filters.

But first, they bought stuff for their dog.

Three-year-old Iroh already had booties and a raincoat. To augment, his owners went online and procured a dog mask and some flashy eyewear.

Alliana Salanguit, left, and Jesslin Wooliver, have used ample treats to train their dog, Iroh, to tolerate his mask. Nathaniel Herz hide caption

toggle caption Nathaniel Herz

"I searched 'pink, dog goggles, small,' and it was the top result," Salanguit said of Iroh's heart-shaped goggles. "Aren't they darling?"

Sponsor Message

Mount Spurr, which scientists say is likely to erupt in the coming weeks or months, is about 80 miles west of Anchorage. Still, an explosive event could produce ash clouds that reach Alaska's biggest population center, according to experts.

That's prompted residents like Salanguit and Wooliver to acquire two types of PPE: personal protective equipment and pet protective equipment.

Anchorage dog Cedar sports goggles and a raincoat designed to shield her from corrosive ashfall that could contain volcanic glass. Elizabeth Clark hide caption

toggle caption Elizabeth Clark

The city government has warned about the risk of the ash to humans – particularly to the lungs of small children and those already suffering from respiratory problems.

But it has also specifically reminded residents about the need to ensure pets' safety – prompting a run on accessories like Rex Specs, a brand of high-performance dog eyewear akin to a ski mask that are priced locally at $85.

The city has issued targeted pet recommendations – namely, to keep them indoors as much as possible. If they do have to go out, the city recommends booties to protect paws from ash, which can contain "tiny jagged particles of rock and natural glass" according to the United States Geological Survey. Eye protection and masks "would be helpful," too, said Joel Jorgensen, a spokesman for Anchorage's animal control agency.

"If you can get canine respirators, fantastic," he said.

Sinister, a Belgian Malinois, wears a canine respirator that his owners bought in the event of an eruption of Mount Spurr. Experts say that dogs should be trained to wear a mask before it's needed. Kat Hoxha hide caption

toggle caption Kat Hoxha

At AK Bark, a Midtown Anchorage pet store, owner Mark Robokoff stocks both Rex Specs and cheaper eye protection called – sorry – Doggles. He sold more than 500 pairs total in March, and notes that the eyewear comes with sartorial side benefits.

"It's kind of nice that the goggles are not only a safety precaution, but they look fantastic," Robokoff said. "Appropriate for the sidecar of a motorcycle."

Before the announcement of the possibility of the eruption, he added, "some people just wanted them so their dog could stick their head out the window."

"It was an item that was occasionally sold," he said. "Now, it's a necessity."

Mark Robokoff, the owner of AK Bark in Anchorage, shows the two models of eye protection available at his pet store. Nathaniel Herz hide caption

toggle caption Nathaniel Herz

Tracking down dog respirators to sell at the store proved more challenging, but they're now en route to AK Bark in sizes small, medium and large, Robokoff said. The store has presold 1,800.

If you're wondering how a dog or a puppy can possibly be convinced to tolerate a respirator, Robokoff says there's just one way: getting the dog used to it ahead of time.

"I don't know how many of my customers are actually going to go to the trouble to do that," he said. "I hope a lot of them do, because if you just try to put one of these on the dog and let them outside, it's going to last about three or four seconds."

Salanguit and Wooliver, the dog owners, have been following a treat training protocol. Iroh gets a reward when the mask gets taken out, a reward when it gets strapped on, and a reward when it gets taken off.

An Anchorage husky mutt, Charli, models part of her "apocalypse dog" outfit, which her owners say is still being assembled. Kelsey Schober hide caption

toggle caption Kelsey Schober

At a recent fitting, Iroh happily crunched chunks of freeze-dried, wild Alaska salmon, even as his owners conceded that donning the mask makes him a "little grumpy."

"We're trying to just get him not to associate the goggles with, like, torture and pain, but more, like, treats," said Wooliver. "So that when the volcano does erupt, and we have to put it on, he's not going to just protest."

Booties. Indoor Dog Parks. And Following The Vet's Orders. How To Keep Pets Cool This Summer

By TERRY TANGAssociated Press

PHOENIX (AP) — As much of the world swelters, it's not just people who need help with the dog days of summer. Pet owners have to consider how to both shield and cool down furry family members as intense — at times deadly — heat waves become more common.

"It's really important to remember that if it's hot outside for you, it's even hotter for your pets," says Dr. Sandra Faeh, American Veterinary Medical Association president. A dog's breed, weight and chronic health issues also matter. "There's not one specific temperature that we can say, `this is the right temperature to go outside,' because they're all different."

In the U.S, over 180 million people, or 63% of households, have at least one pet, according to an American Pet Products Association report. Pet-related spending is projected to be over $150 billion this year, yet a lot of pooch parents aren't accustomed to changing routines or buying items for hot weather. This summer's heat is making that more normal.

Simple safety steps

Of course, the surest strategy against high temperatures is to take pets out in the morning and evening, Faeh advises. If you must take them out during the day, be quick and stick to shade, grass and dirt. Pavement can be a scorcher on paws.

"We often think that their paws are thicker, they're not as susceptible to the heat, but they are. They can blister, they can hurt," Faeh said.

One paw-sitive measure: Faeh says dog booties made with a thick fabric can help with hot surfaces. Dogs just need time to get the hang of walking in them.

Pets can also suffer sunburns, which can manifest as lighter pigment on the nose, or around the face on short-hair breeds. Veterinarians can prescribe special sunscreen.

Providing relief even after brief sun exposure is as important as sun protection. Cooling mats and small fans can help. And besides giving dogs water, you can wet their bodies with cool water. But not too cold, Faeh warns.

"If they get cold too quickly, their vessels constrict and then they have a harder time cooling off," she said.

In a power blackout, Faeh suggests putting pets in a cooler part of the home like a basement or a windowless room. Keep fresh water on hand and any blinds or curtains closed.

Signs to look for if a dog is experiencing heat-related stress or heatstroke include restlessness, excessive panting, drooling and even vomiting. Cats show distress through open-mouth breathing. In any of these scenarios, contact a veterinarian immediately, Faeh advises.

The importance of accessorizing

There's a wide array of pet accessories and devices available to help beat the heat, says Pete Scott, American Pet Products Association president. But some markets have been caught off-guard by the higher temperatures.

"You don't think of Connecticut as being 100 degrees," said Scott, who is based in Stamford. "You've got to be vigilant and be prepared. Like if it's a week out when they say a heat wave is coming, everybody stocks up on bottled water. But they don't also stock up for their pets."

Besides booties, protective gear can mean a sun visor and doggy sunglasses or goggles, if your pet will wear them.

David Escalante started Kaykos Dog Shades out of his San Francisco Bay Area home in 2016 after putting a makeshift pair of sunglasses on his family's pit bull. Now, Escalante, his father and brother hand-make every pair in his San Jose garage. They have sold nearly 15,000 in the last three years.

Each pair has a drawstring, nose bridge rest and lenses that he says protect against ultraviolet light rays.

"We try to push … to let people know, 'Hey, you know, think about your dog's eyes now that you're out and it's super bright," said Escalante, who sells more during heat waves.

Other helpful tools include cooling collars and elevated dog beds that help with airflow, Scott says. You can also feed Fido chilled goodies like canine-friendly gelato, pup-sicles and ice cream mixes.

"When it's hot, we all like a little frozen treat. So do dogs, so do cats," Scott said.

Indoor playtime

Another solution is an indoor dog park. Spencer Mak and his wife, Lauren, have operated two Mak Pack Dog Training & Boarding facilities in suburban Phoenix since 2020. The 10,000-square-foot Chandler location includes an indoor dog park with agility exercises, climbing obstacles and a bounce house. They offer a $10 drop-in rate and a $49 monthly membership.

At its busiest, the indoor area has accommodated as many as 100 dogs. In June, when temperatures spiked, Mak saw 520 admissions compared to 300 in May — a nearly 75% jump.

He's currently working on building an indoor doggy pool with ramps and floats.

And ugh, the car…

Summertime also sees cases of people leaving or forgetting pets in hot cars. The temperature inside a vehicle can surpass the outside very quickly.

"It is so much better to just leave them at home and know that they're gonna be wagging their tail and giving you kisses when you walk in the door," Faeh says.

Some vehicles come with dashboard alerts if a child or pet is still in the back. There are also backseat car alarms on the market. But ultimately, "it always comes down to the human that owns the pet," Scott says.

Originally Published: July 27, 2024 at 6:00 AM PDT

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