Moving to Nevada desert with a white dog

Boxermom1434 · #1 09-28-2006, 07:34 AM

Hi all I hope someone here can help!!! I am moving to Henderson Nevada and have an all white puppy. I was told by several vets there that I should not bring him due to the intensity of the sun there. They have told me that he is suseptible to 2nd and 3rd degree sunburns if allowed out to play durring the daytime hours. (I know not from the hours of say 11 am and 4 pm to let any dog out.) Please tell me someone here has a white baby in the Nevada desert and it is ok. I cannot give up my baby....I can't help but think there has to be a way for him to gt outside durring daylight hours to run and play without causing such severe damage. Please help me we are driving out in 3 weeks and I have to be confident my baby will be ok going!!!!

Kirby Kirb · #2 09-28-2006, 07:43 AM

I dont' have a white baby, but have heard of people who do, use sunscreen. This must be heart breaking for you, but I am sure there is a way for everyone to be happy!! Best of luck!

agilityboxer · #3 09-28-2006, 07:54 AM

Looks like you are going to have a night time play time outside with your baby. I have no first hand knowledge or experience with white babies or the sun, but hopefully you can find some good suggestions here.

paysmom · #4 09-28-2006, 08:01 AM

Sunscreen! Sunscreen! Sunscreen!

adobeboxers · #5 09-28-2006, 08:09 AM

I would suggest that you try and see if you can get ahold of a boxer rescue group in Nevada...maybe they can give you some helpful hints or tips. I can't imagine that there aren't any white dogs in Nevada! Somethings has to work.

ehayes21 · #6 09-28-2006, 08:33 AM

Don't fret, but invest in some sunscreen for those scorching 120 degree days!!!

I think they may even have a product out specially for dogs, but I used Water Babies spf 50 on my white girl, Sadie. You'll definitely have to adjust your schedule around the sun for play, but my girls were more active before the sun came up and after it went down. No one really begs to go outside and run around during the peak of the Nevada heat.

With a little extra care, your baby will be fine.

npmather · #7 09-28-2006, 08:57 AM

Shade! Thats the best trick...our baby Bean is a whitey and her favorite play areas are well shaded. Under the grapefruit trees or our patio. (We live in the Desert SW of Phoenix.) Sunscreen only works if I'm there to not let her try to clean if off....or our big boy Ned tries to clean it off of her.

They have limited play during the heat of the day. They are usually inside sleeping during the worst of it or playing around inside.

Bean suns herself sometimes in the early hours; just make sure your baby gets checked frequently while you are out; and if the baby starts to pink up get him/her inside. (you can also read this article: http://enhs.umn.edu/5103/uv/measurement.html for additional info on how to judge the burn potential while you are out)

--Also I would recommend a misting system in the shade. Your baby's will love it and so will you!

I am certain you will be fine!

Best wishes!

MyJoy · #8 09-28-2006, 10:00 AM

Hello Boxermom1434!!!
My Joy is all white and although i live in Boston, MA now for her first 1.5 years we were in the California desert. Very hot, very dry, sun was brutal, and she was fine. The vet we had in CA actually grew up with a white boxer and recommended that we keep her inside during the most brutal times in the sun, which was about 10am to 3pm then the winds would come through the sun would shift and she would be out playing in the yard. I would try to look up what safe sun blocks to use, i don't remeber them first hand. You can absolutely have your dog with you in the desert...to be honest, when the weather was extremely hot, Joy had no desire to even sit outside, she went out to take care of her business and other than that she was perfectly happy spending some lazy time in the house, at night i took her for walks...in the desert heat you won't really feel like going for walks either during the day, it's like walking around in an oven that's been on all day!!!
the things to be sure of are lots of water, sunblock, shade, and when it was necessary, we didn't have a pool so we would spray her with the hose and she loves to bite at the water anyway so it was "fun time" to her...i also let her play with ice cubes or for frozen treats I would use 50/50 chicken broth and water and freeze them in small dixie cups...she loves those!
There is another member on here "walkssoftly" she lives in Arizona, and she has two white boxers, as well as an older white boxer that passed away recently but she did have him with her in Arizona....she's extremely helpful and I know she wouldn't mind if you contacted her and asked her what her experiences have been...
All the best and don't worry dogs are extremely resiliant and you "furbaby" will do just fine with the right approach to the heat!!
Jen and Joy...

Boxermom1434 · #9 09-28-2006, 11:04 AM

Talked to a rescue group in Phoenix and got the ok to bring my baby. Apparently the vets must not be very intelligent or just don't care for our Boxer babies. As everyone has said they will be fine and to not stress out!! I feel much better now. Thanks for all the help everyone!!!!

Bozes_mom · #10 09-28-2006, 05:46 PM

Just to reassure you again, I live in Phoenix, the city that's always a million degrees, and my baby (though he's not white) did just fine. His "cousin" is an all white bull dog who spends tons of time outside and has never been sunburned or anything. The only caution for outside time is paws, becuase the sidewalks never ever cool down during the summer...They're still warm at night!
Good luck! Don't worry, I'm sure your baby will be just fine.