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

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April 13[edit]

Temperature at which dogs stick out tongue[edit]

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)[reply]

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