Less well known than heatstroke, already covered in our previous articles, sunburn nevertheless regularly affects certain dogs, particularly those with pale skin or thin coats — a risk often underestimated by owners.

Which dogs are most at risk

  • Short-coated, pale-skinned breeds (Bull Terrier, Dalmatian, white Boxer, Bulldog) have markedly greater direct skin exposure than densely coated breeds
  • Lightly covered areas: nose, eye area, belly, inside of the ears in prick-eared dogs
  • Dogs shaved in summer, a practice that, contrary to popular belief, can increase sunburn risk by directly exposing skin normally protected by the coat

Signs to watch for

  • Skin redness, particularly visible on pale-skinned areas
  • Tenderness to the touch on affected areas
  • In more severe cases: blistering, peeling, or even deeper lesions with repeated, untreated exposure

Long-term risks of repeated exposure

Beyond the immediate discomfort, repeated, unprotected sun exposure raises the long-term risk of skin carcinoma, particularly on the least pigmented areas — a health concern that connects with the broader issues raised in our article on eye health in the active dog, where UV exposure was also mentioned.

Protective measures

Dog-specific sunscreens

Formulated without zinc or salicylates (toxic if ingested through licking), applied to the most exposed areas before an extended outing in full sun.

UV-protective clothing

For particularly sensitive breeds, lightweight garments with built-in UV protection limit direct exposure, in line with what we covered in our article on technical clothing for dogs.

Timing outings carefully

Avoiding the hours of strongest sun exposure (generally 11am-4pm in summer), consistent with the principles already covered for heatstroke prevention.

Avoid over-shaving the coat

Contrary to a widespread practice, shaving a densely coated dog in summer can paradoxically increase its UV exposure by removing the coat's natural protection — a point worth discussing with a professional groomer rather than acting on instinct alone.

Particular vigilance for the working and sport dog

For a dog frequently active outdoors during the activities described in our articles on canicross, agility or mantrailing, sun protection deserves a place in the preparation routine, alongside hydration and heatstroke management.

Also available in English: choosing the right dog club or trainer, the therapy and assistance dog: the calming power of canine presence and the bed bug detection dog: a little-known detection specialty. More translations are added over time.