When Dogs Are Forced to Wear Shoes

There is something different about the 21st edition of the Club World Cup in the United States, which has been taking place since July 14. A total of 32 clubs are competing in extreme heat due to the heatwave affecting the region.

Dozens of tracking dogs assisting security personnel wear special shoes to avoid the heat emanating from the asphalt and concrete roads around the stadium where the match is taking place.

Tracking dogs are often seen on duty at airports and at sports events or concerts because they can detect the scent of explosives, contraband, and ammunition. The police also use tracking dogs to assist in finding missing persons or tracking criminal suspects.

The bright colors of the shoes worn by these dogs attract the attention of the supporters who come. It is not uncommon for them to stop and capture the moment with their mobile phones.

Although it cannot be said to be common, footwear for dogs is not an unusual thing in America. In Portland, Maine, and other cities across the United States, K9 police units have been using boots to protect dogs' paws from ice, sand, and salt that accompany winter weather.

"Clearly, when we are hot, they are ten times hotter. They have thick fur, so this is important for us. Our dogs are number one. We cannot do our job without them," said Cody Schwartz, Manager of 3DK9 Detection Service, a private company that provides K9 teams at the stadium.

In addition to wearing boots, the dogs are only allowed to patrol for 20 minutes in hot weather to avoid dehydration.

In many matches, it is evident that players' shirts quickly become soaked with sweat. This also causes players to experience fatigue more rapidly and suffer from dehydration or cramps.

"The weather is extremely hot. My toes hurt, even my toenails hurt, I can't stop or start. It's incredible, but since everyone is experiencing it, there's no reason to complain," said Marcos Llorente from Atletico after the match against Paris Saint-Germain.

"In Europe, the weather is drier and here it is more humid. I think the weather will be twice as bad for them (European players)," said Tyler Fernando, a football fan, before the match between Bayern Munich and Benfica on Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the temperature reached 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36 degrees Celsius) during the game.

Those who witnessed the match between Auckland City and Boca Juniors in Nashville on Tuesday had to endure temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Male spectators were shirtless and searching for shaded areas.

Chelsea cut short a training session in Philadelphia, where temperatures reached the 90s Fahrenheit.

"I always try to avoid excuses, I always try to be honest. This is not about excuses, this is about reality. But we are here, and we are trying to do our best," said Chelsea coach, Enzo Maresca.

FIFA guidelines also mandate a match break when the temperature reaches 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Typically, the break occurs around the 30th and 75th minutes. A cooling break took place during the 2008 Olympic final between Argentina and Nigeria at the Beijing National Stadium. At that time, the temperature on the field reached 107 degrees Fahrenheit.

A high-pressure “heat dome” forming over the eastern United States has caused temperatures to rise to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in many areas.

This means that the dogs on duty at the stadium will continue to wear their shoes while on duty.