Why Is My Dog Panting So Much? A Breeder’s Complete Guide

As a dog breeder who has spent decades raising, training, and living alongside countless breeds, one of the most common questions I hear is:

“Why is my dog panting so much?”

Panting is a normal part of canine life. Unlike humans, dogs don’t sweat through their skin. Instead, they regulate their body temperature through their paws and by panting. But while panting can be completely harmless, there are times when it signals something serious.

I’ve seen everything from a happy Labrador panting after play, to a distressed Bulldog struggling to breathe on a hot afternoon. The difference between “normal panting” and “concerning panting” can sometimes be subtle, but as owners, learning to recognize it can make all the difference.

This guide will take you through the common causes of panting, warning signs to watch for, breed-specific tendencies, and practical steps to help your dog. I’ll also share personal breeder stories that bring these lessons to life.

Normal Reasons Dogs Pant

Before we dive into potential problems, it’s important to know the many normal situations where panting is nothing to worry about:

• Cooling Down: Panting helps dogs release heat, especially after play or on warm days.
• Exercise: Just like humans breathing heavily after a jog, dogs pant after physical activity.
• Excitement or Stress: Panting can also be emotional—dogs pant when anxious, nervous, or overjoyed.

👉 Example from my kennel: After playtime, my Labrador Retrievers often flop onto the grass with tongues lolling, panting in unison. Within minutes of resting, their breathing returns to normal—this is healthy panting.

When Panting Becomes a Warning Sign

If your dog is panting excessively without exercise, heat, or excitement, it may signal a health problem. Here are the most common medical reasons:

1. Heatstroke – Life-threatening and requires immediate action. Signs include excessive panting, drooling, disorientation, and bright red gums.
2. Pain – Dogs in pain (arthritis, injury, dental issues) often pant more.
3. Heart Disease – Panting combined with coughing, fatigue, or collapse can indicate heart problems.
4. Lung or Airway Issues – Conditions like laryngeal paralysis or tracheal collapse can trigger heavy panting.
5. Obesity – Overweight dogs struggle to regulate body temperature.
6. Medications – Steroids, for example, often cause increased panting.
7. Cushing’s Disease – A hormonal condition in senior dogs linked to heavy panting, thirst, and appetite changes.

👉 Breeder story: One of my older Shih Tzu dams began panting excessively even while resting. After a vet visit, she was diagnosed with early-stage heart disease. Because her owners caught it early, medication helped her live comfortably for years.

How to Tell if Panting Is Abnormal

I tell all my puppy buyers the same thing: watch your dog’s baseline behavior. If panting suddenly changes in frequency, intensity, or context, that’s your red flag.

Signs of abnormal panting include:

• Panting in cool, calm conditions.
• Panting paired with drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
• Constant panting at night or while resting.
• Struggling to catch their breath or noisy breathing.

If you notice these symptoms, call your vet immediately.

Breed-Specific Panting Tendencies

As a breeder, I’ve seen how panting varies dramatically between breeds. Some pant easily due to their anatomy, while others handle heat and activity with ease. Let’s break it down:

1. Brachycephalic Breeds (Flat-Faced Dogs)

Examples: Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Boxers.

These breeds have short snouts, making panting less efficient. They are prone to overheating and airway obstruction.

• Bulldogs: I once had an English Bulldog stud who panted heavily even in mild weather. We had to exercise him in the early morning and keep fans running in the kennel during summer.
• Pugs: Known for their snorts and wheezes, Pugs often pant excessively if overweight.
• Shih Tzus: They cope better than Bulldogs but still struggle in heat due to their shortened muzzles and thick coats.

👉 Tip for owners: Always provide cool spaces, avoid midday walks, and consider cooling vests in summer.

2. Sporting & Working Breeds

Examples: Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Huskies, Border Collies.

These dogs have high energy levels and pant heavily after exercise, but usually recover quickly. If panting lingers long after rest, it could mean exhaustion, dehydration, or early signs of heat stress.

• Labradors: Labs love to play hard. I remind all Lab families to watch for excessive panting on hot days—Labs don’t know when to quit.
• German Shepherds: Strong, athletic dogs who pant during both physical and mental work. A client once called me worried her Shepherd was panting too much after training; it turned out he was simply overstimulated and excited.
• Huskies: Despite being cold-weather dogs, Huskies pant to cool down even in mild climates. Owners should always provide shade.

3. Toy Breeds

Examples: Chihuahuas, Toy Poodles, Yorkies, Maltese.

Toy breeds tend to pant more when anxious rather than from exertion. Because they’re often lap dogs, their panting can be a subtle emotional cue.

• Toy Poodles: I had one named Oliver who panted whenever he sensed thunderstorms—he wasn’t hot, just scared.
• Yorkies: These little terriers pant quickly during play but settle down just as fast.
• Maltese: Sensitive dogs who pant if stressed, for example, during vet visits.

4. Senior Dogs Across All Breeds

Older dogs, regardless of breed, are more prone to panting due to:

• Arthritis pain.
• Decreased lung and heart function.
• Metabolic disorders like Cushing’s.

👉 Breeder experience: My retired Golden Retriever, Max, started panting excessively at age 11. A vet check revealed early heart disease, and with treatment, he enjoyed three more wonderful years.

What to Do if Your Dog Pants Too Much

From both a breeder’s and owner’s perspective, here’s what I recommend:

1. Cool Them Down – Provide fans, shade, and cool water.
2. Check Their Weight – Overweight dogs pant more. Ask your vet about safe weight loss strategies.
3. Schedule Vet Visits – Especially if panting seems unusual or sudden.
4. Adjust Activity – Choose cooler times for walks and avoid overexertion.
5. Create Calm Spaces – For anxious dogs, a crate or quiet room can help reduce stress panting.
6. Know Your Breed – If you own a Bulldog, Frenchie, or Pug, you must be extra cautious about heat and exercise.

Breeder’s Final Thoughts

Panting is one of those behaviors that can be both completely normal and dangerously serious. The key is knowing your dog, their breed tendencies, and when panting shifts from “healthy” to “worrisome.”

If you ever ask yourself, “Why is my dog panting so much?”, consider the context, check for warning signs, and when in doubt—call your vet. Dogs rely on us to interpret their signals, and panting is one of the most important ones they give.

From my years of breeding and raising dogs, I can say this: the sooner you act, the safer and happier your dog will be.

FAQ Section (with Schema Markup)

Q1: Why is my dog panting at night?
Nighttime panting can signal anxiety, pain, or underlying health issues. Senior dogs may pant at night due to arthritis discomfort or Cushing’s disease.

Q2: Why is my dog panting and shaking?
Panting with shaking often points to stress, pain, or fever. It can also signal poisoning or illness—seek veterinary advice immediately.

Q3: Can obesity cause panting in dogs?
Yes. Overweight dogs pant more because extra fat makes it harder for them to cool down and strains their heart and lungs.

Q4: Do all dogs pant the same way?
No. Breed and age matter. Bulldogs, Pugs, and Frenchies pant more due to their short snouts, while working breeds like Labs pant after exercise. Seniors pant more due to age-related issues.

Q5: Should I be worried if my dog pants constantly?
Yes, constant panting without a clear reason requires a vet check to rule out heart disease, lung issues, or other medical problems.