The normal temperature for dogs between 101 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 and 38.9 Celsius). Any drop or elevation in the normal dog temperature could be a sign of a serious infection. While other signs may be present, this should serve as a warning to any dog owner. Whenever the temperature for dogs is in question, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately.

Much like there is a normal temperature for humans, there is also a normal temperature for dogs. Like humans, the body temperature is carefully regulated by a number of internal processes and can cause severe hardship to the dog's health when it is out of normal parameters. However, for many owners, it may be hard for them to notice when a dog's temperature is abnormal.

Unlike humans, the body temperature for dogs cannot be regulated through sweat glands. The reason for this is simple; dogs do not have any sweat glands. Their fur insulates their body temperature to some degree. The rest is regulated, by panting. However, panting only helps regulate the temperature for dogs when that temperature may be increasing due to environmental conditions. An increase in body temperature due to an infection cannot be controlled by such actions, though a dog may naturally attempt to do so, much like humans may sweat when they have a fever.

Fortunately for many owners, when the temperature for dogs becomes abnormal, there are usually other symptoms of the problem as well. For example, a normally active dog may act lethargic or have difficulty breathing. However, infections can also show up in other ways.

Most commonly, when there is an infection, the temperature for dogs will rise. In many cases, this will represent an internal infection. However, some outward infections may cause an increase in body temperature as well. In most cases though, a surface infection will not be serious enough to cause an increase in the overall canine body temperature.

In rare cases, a dog may have a severe and sudden decrease in body temperature because of outside factors, such as falling into very cold water. This condition, known as hypothermia, is often a danger for dogs that live in extreme northern climates and work exposed to the elements. Sled dogs, for example, may be susceptible to this condition, especially if they happen to become wet and cannot find a suitable place to warm themselves and dry off. A sustained low body temperature can cause some bodily systems to begin to fail, eventually leading to death.