I work in research for the most part dealing with human physiology, and often thermoregulation – I am also a loving dog owner. I have participated in research with human subjects investigating cooling strategies for work in the heat including the military, and recently began to wonder how thermoregulation in dogs differs from humans. Many people understand the cooling strategies of the human compared to the dog, mostly, dogs pant and human sweat.

Humans can thermoregulate by using 5 mechanisms, (1) Evaporation, (2) Convection, (3) Conduction, (4) Radiation, and (5) Metabolism. Metabolism is what happens when we exercise and always results in heat gain. Evaporation is how we lose heat from sweat evaporating off of the skin. Convection is the loss of heat by moving air (fans feeling cool on your skin) and Conduction is the loss of heat when we touch a surface that is cooler than our skin temperature (or gain warmth by touching something warm). Radiation often refers to the sun warming our skin.

Dogs gain heat by the same mechanisms that we do, Metabolism from exercise, Conduction from hot surfaces and Radiation from the sun. However their furry coats can help to prevent heat gain from Conduction and Radiation, therefore when you shave your furry dogs coat, you may be doing them a disservice as this may prevent their ability to insulate themselves from the heat.

To lose heat dogs take advantage of Convection, Conduction, and Evaporation. When dogs are outside and there is a breeze or they are moving they can lose heat from Convection, however tied up at home, in a crate, or in a car, they lose the ability to dispel heat this way. Dogs try to use Conduction every opportunity they have, this is why your dog (and mine!) decides to lie down in the mud puddle after a run at the dog park, the mud puddle is slightly cooler than the air and water removes heat from the body 25 times faster than air, so if they are already in the mud puddle, give them a minute to enjoy the cooling effect.

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Ottawa Dog Blog had the chance to interview photographer, Angela Hubbard from Beyond Bellies. Angela is new to Ottawa, having just moved here from Vancouver.

Name: Angela Hubbard | BEYOND BELLIES PHOTOGRAPHY
Location: Ottawa, ON
Website: http://www.beyondbellies.com
Camera(s): canon 5d – canon 1d mark II

How would you classify or explain your style of dog photography?
I like to call it ‘phot-DOG-graphy’ I have been very blessed for the past 15 years to have a wonderful photography career photographing people. All kids of people from celebrities, rock stars, weddings, portraits, which has now brought my career path to two of my most challenging subjects ever – children and dogs. My career and style started when I started shooting rock concerts for Rolling Stone and capturing artists in their element, while I was in my element. There was something with our 2 passions & energies mixing, something that just ‘clicked’ that was magical. This same energy has moved from rock stars to dogs… as every concert is different… so is every dog. You work with your subject, you know when it’s the right time, play in that energy and when they it’s done.. it’s done.

How did you get into doing dog-related photography?
When I was a kid, we always had dogs in my household. My mom wouldn’t have it any other way. She is THE dog walker! Also, being the 4th of 5 children our dog kept us active, my sister and brother were both artists and I stole their cameras and would take photos of our beagle, Snoopy. Funny how it all happened at such a young age, If I only knew then, it would be my life now.

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