panting

Question
QUESTION: I take my dog out for walks and play every day. it takes her over an hr to stop panting. is that normal?

ANSWER: Hello Toby, Well you did not tell me what kind of dog you have, but let me tell you why dogs pant.  This is their way of cooling themselves down.  They only pant and sweat through the pads of their feet to cool their bodies down.  That's it.  So panting is good and ok for as long as she needs to.  Take water along your walk with her and have some available when she gets back.  You could even wet her down before and after her walk as this will also help keep her body temperature down.  Thanks for asking, Cindy Lou :)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: following up on your answer. MY dog is a 15 month old yellow lab. she is a smart wonderfull companion but needs mega exersise. i take her out for an hr a day and she runs and runs and runs. then we when we get home she pants HARD I mean HARD for an hr at least. It is like she is still running. I worry about all that hard panting.

Answer
Hello Toby, I get it and I understand your concern, but my opinion is the same.  I bet if when you get her back home, hose her down with the cool water from the hose and I bet she pants for a shorter amount of time.  Again it is her way of cooling herself down.  Of course if you feel something is really wrong with her, by all means have your vet check her out.  Better to be safe.  Take Care, Cindy Lou :)