This article is from the Keeshonden Breed FAQ, by keashoo@ix.netcom.com (Kimberly J. Eashoo).
Like any dog, to cope with summer heat the Keeshond needs a
constant supply of water to drink and shade from the sun. If the
dog is allowed inside then it will find its own cool spot (probably
on the kitchen or bathroom floor if it is tiled or linoleum floor).
Outdoors, the dog will probably dig a shallow hole by turning over
a layer of soil to get to the cooler earth just beneath the
surface. Some dogs like having ice added to their water to help
keep it cool. Some also enjoy a children's wading pool filled with
water in the summer time. The Keeshond sheds a lot of coat before
summer, as soon as the whether starts to warm up, which also allows
them to keep cool. Heavy exercise should be avoided in excessive
heat. Curtail exercise times to be early morning or just after
sunset. Once the dog is acclimated to his environment, he is
usually fine. NEVER clip a Keeshond for the summer. Exposed skin is
very prone to sunburn, which can lead to skin cancer. Also, the
coat acts as an insulating blanket from the heat as well as the
cold. Keeshonden are remarkably adaptable animals. However, one
should never try and push a dog beyond his capability to cope with
the heat. To do so can be disastrous. One must keep in mind the
type of climate the dog is acclimated for and not look for signs of
heat stress. Do not ever lock any dog in a car in direct sunlight,
or in the shade for a great deal of time, even with the windows
down a little for ventilation the heat generated by the dog is
still enough to cause heat stress in summer.
 
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