I can't speak to the veracity of anything about the dog days of summer other than to say I personally hate them. Here in the south, its gets hotter than hell and feels like you are walking into an oven just opening the front door. Crime goes up considerably also.
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The Dog Days of Summer
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The Dog Days of summer coincide with the rising at sunrise of the Dog Star, Sirius, as well as with hot and sultry weather.
What and When Are the Dog Days of Summer?
The Editors
April 4, 2023
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The “Dog Days” of summer last from July 3 to August 11. What are the Dog Days of summer, exactly? What do they have to do with dogs? The ancient origins of this common phrase might surprise you. Enjoy this article about the meaning behind the Dog Days of summer!
Dog Days bright and clear
Indicate a happy year;
But when accompanied by rain,
For better times, our hopes are vain.
What Are the Dog Days of Summer?
The term “Dog Days” traditionally refers to a period of particularly hot and humid weather occurring during the summer months of July and August in the Northern Hemisphere.
In ancient Greece and Rome, the Dog Days were believed to be a time of drought, bad luck, and unrest, when dogs and men alike would be driven mad by the extreme heat! Today, the phrase doesn’t conjure up such bad imagery. Instead, the Dog Days are associated purely with the time of summer’s peak temperatures and humidity.
Why Are They Called the “Dog Days” of Summer?
This period of sweltering weather coincides with the year’s heliacal (meaning “at sunrise”) rising of Sirius, the Dog Star. Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Majoris—the “Greater Dog”—which is where Sirius gets its canine nickname, as well as its official name, Alpha Canis Majoris. Not including our own Sun, Sirius is the brightest star in the sky.
In ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome, it was believed that the dawn rising of Sirius in mid- to late summer contributed to the extreme weather of the season. In other words, the “combined heat” of super-bright Sirius and our Sun was thought to be the cause of summer’s sweltering temperatures. The name “Sirius” even stems from Ancient Greek seírios, meaning “scorching.”
For the ancient Egyptians, the dawn rising of Sirius (known to them as Sothis) also coincided the Nile River’s flood season. They used the star as a “watchdog” for that event.
Of course, the appearance of Sirius does not actually affect seasonal weather here on Earth, but its appearance during the hottest part of summer ensures that the lore surrounding the star lives on today!
When Are the Dog Days of Summer?
The exact dates of the Dog Days can vary from source to source, and because they are traditionally tied to the dawn rising of Sirius, they have changed over time. However, most sources agree that the Dog Days occur in mid- to late summer.
Here at the Old Farmer’s Almanac, we consider the Dog Days to be the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11. This is soon after the Summer Solstice in late June, which also tends to be the beginning of the worst of summer’s heat.
More About Sirius
The Brightest Star in the Sky
Sirius is the brightest star in the sky, if you don’t count our own Sun. Under the right conditions, it can even be seen with the naked eye during the day. Sirius is one star in a group of stars that form the constellation Canis Major, meaning “Greater Dog.” It’s no surprise, then, that the nickname of this big, bold star became “the Dog Star.”
Given that Sirius is the brightest star in the sky, it’s not hard to find. Learn how to find the Dog Star in the night sky here.
dog-star-sirius-canis-major.jpg
The Dog Star in Ancient Egypt
In ancient Egypt, the Nile River flooded each year, usually beginning in late June. The people welcomed this event, called the Inundation, because the floodwaters brought rich soil needed to grow crops in what was otherwise a desert.
No one in Egypt knew exactly when the flooding would start, but they noticed a coincidence that gave them a clue: The water began to rise on the days when Sirius (known to them as Sothis) began to rise before the Sun. Sothis and the Inundation became so important to the Egyptians’ survival that they began their new year with the new Moon that followed the star’s first appearance on the eastern horizon.
ancient-egyptians-dog-star-sirius.jpg
A Time of Ill Fortune?
Unlike the Egyptians, the ancient Greeks and Romans were not as pleased by Sirius’s appearance. For them, Sirius signaled a time when evil was brought to their lands in the form of drought, disease, or discomfort.
Virgil, the Roman poet, wrote in the Aeneid that “fiery Sirius, bringer of drought and plague to frail mortals, rises and saddens the sky with sinister light.”
Is this just superstition? A 2009 Finnish study tested the traditional claim that the rate of infections is higher during the Dog Days. The authors wrote, “This study was conducted in order to challenge the myth that the rate of infections is higher during the dog days. To our surprise, the myth was found to be true.”
hot-dog-days-of-summer.jpg
Dog Days of Summer Folklore
Old-timers believed that rainfall on the Dog Days was a bad omen, as foretold in this verse:
Dog Days bright and clear
Indicate a happy year;
But when accompanied by rain,
For better times, our hopes are vain.
“Dog Days are approaching; you must, therefore, make both hay and haste while the Sun shines, for when old Sirius takes command of the weather, he is such an unsteady, crazy dog, there is no dependence upon him.”
–The Old Farmer’s Almanac, 1817
→ Watch our video on the Dog Days and the Dog Star! Plus, try this Dog-Days Iced Tea to keep you refreshed in the heat.
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Dog Days of Summer
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COMMENTS
ADD A COMMENT
Jennie A Bohannon (not verified) 1 year 9 months ago
My mom always said that ordinary house flies will bite during dog days.
REPLY
Susan (not verified) 2 years 10 months ago
A friend claims that one should not hatch eggs during Dog Days. She claims that the chicks will be weak, sick, & not live through the winter. Any thoughts?
REPLY
Sandy (not verified) 9 months agoIn reply to Hatching Chickens during Dog Days by Susan (not verified)
My understanding is that young chicks do not get a chance to acclimate to the cold because they still required warmth and protection to grow feathers by the time the cold hits. Typically they can't go outside for about 6 weeks after hatching.
REPLY
Wendy B. (not verified) 3 years 9 months ago
For most of my childhood I have often been told that snakes bite more during dog days. My dad told us that the snakes eyes have a cloudy covering over them during the 'dog days'. Is there any scientific evidence of this ?
REPLY
The Editors 3 years 9 months agoIn reply to Dog days by Wendy B. (not verified)
When snakes are about to shed their skin in summer, their eyes cloud over as the old eye covering layer is replaced with a new one. The eyes look milky in color and the snake’s vision is impaired until it sheds the old layer, usually a few days. This happens in summer, but not necessarily during the Dog Days.
Note, too that shedding can vary from species to species, as well as environmental conditions, the animal’s nutrition and their growth rate.
REPLY
Brianna (not verified) 4 years ago
Dog days of summer .. oh how i loathe thee.
REPLY
Diane Carroll (not verified) 4 years 9 months ago
Weve had hard rains and very hot weather now my rooster is staying on perch not eating and not crowing. Do they do this during dog days
REPLY
The Editors 4 years 9 months agoIn reply to My rooster not crowing and staying on perch by Diane Carroll (not verified)
Roosters and chickens can get heat stress, some signs being panting, lethargy, loss of appetite, holding their wings out. Make sure that your rooster has shelter/shade from the heat and plenty of water. Also check if he might be suffering from an illness. Hope this helps!
REPLY
Denise T (not verified) 4 years 9 months ago
A bigger mystery to me is why August 17th is designated as the start of "Cat Days" in the almanac and always has been. What the heck are "cat days"?
REPLY
mar chapman (not verified) 4 years 9 months agoIn reply to CAT DAYS by Denise T (not verified)
Cat Nights harks back to a rather obscure old Irish legend concerning witches and the belief that a witch could turn herself into a cat eight times, but on the ninth time (August 17), she couldnt regain her human form. This bit of folklore also gives us the saying, A cat has nine lives. Because August is a yowly time for cats, this may have prompted the speculation about witches on the prowl in the first place.
u/#q3570
fk it... Im in.
I can't speak to the veracity of anything about the dog days of summer other than to say I personally hate them. Here in the south, its gets hotter than hell and feels like you are walking into an oven just opening the front door. Crime goes up considerably also.
Skip to main content The Old Farmer's Almanac logo Thursday, April 20, 2023
ORDER YOUR ALMANAC TODAY!
Breadcrumb HOME SUN HEAT The Dog Days of Summer Primary Image Caption The Dog Days of summer coincide with the rising at sunrise of the Dog Star, Sirius, as well as with hot and sultry weather.
What and When Are the Dog Days of Summer? The Editors April 4, 2023 Print Friendly and PDF For daily wit & wisdom, sign up for the Almanac newsletter. Email Address Enter your email address Body The “Dog Days” of summer last from July 3 to August 11. What are the Dog Days of summer, exactly? What do they have to do with dogs? The ancient origins of this common phrase might surprise you. Enjoy this article about the meaning behind the Dog Days of summer!
Dog Days bright and clear Indicate a happy year; But when accompanied by rain, For better times, our hopes are vain.
What Are the Dog Days of Summer? The term “Dog Days” traditionally refers to a period of particularly hot and humid weather occurring during the summer months of July and August in the Northern Hemisphere.
In ancient Greece and Rome, the Dog Days were believed to be a time of drought, bad luck, and unrest, when dogs and men alike would be driven mad by the extreme heat! Today, the phrase doesn’t conjure up such bad imagery. Instead, the Dog Days are associated purely with the time of summer’s peak temperatures and humidity.
Why Are They Called the “Dog Days” of Summer? This period of sweltering weather coincides with the year’s heliacal (meaning “at sunrise”) rising of Sirius, the Dog Star. Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Majoris—the “Greater Dog”—which is where Sirius gets its canine nickname, as well as its official name, Alpha Canis Majoris. Not including our own Sun, Sirius is the brightest star in the sky.
In ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome, it was believed that the dawn rising of Sirius in mid- to late summer contributed to the extreme weather of the season. In other words, the “combined heat” of super-bright Sirius and our Sun was thought to be the cause of summer’s sweltering temperatures. The name “Sirius” even stems from Ancient Greek seírios, meaning “scorching.”
For the ancient Egyptians, the dawn rising of Sirius (known to them as Sothis) also coincided the Nile River’s flood season. They used the star as a “watchdog” for that event.
Of course, the appearance of Sirius does not actually affect seasonal weather here on Earth, but its appearance during the hottest part of summer ensures that the lore surrounding the star lives on today!
When Are the Dog Days of Summer? The exact dates of the Dog Days can vary from source to source, and because they are traditionally tied to the dawn rising of Sirius, they have changed over time. However, most sources agree that the Dog Days occur in mid- to late summer.
Here at the Old Farmer’s Almanac, we consider the Dog Days to be the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11. This is soon after the Summer Solstice in late June, which also tends to be the beginning of the worst of summer’s heat.
More About Sirius The Brightest Star in the Sky
Sirius is the brightest star in the sky, if you don’t count our own Sun. Under the right conditions, it can even be seen with the naked eye during the day. Sirius is one star in a group of stars that form the constellation Canis Major, meaning “Greater Dog.” It’s no surprise, then, that the nickname of this big, bold star became “the Dog Star.”
Given that Sirius is the brightest star in the sky, it’s not hard to find. Learn how to find the Dog Star in the night sky here.
dog-star-sirius-canis-major.jpg
The Dog Star in Ancient Egypt In ancient Egypt, the Nile River flooded each year, usually beginning in late June. The people welcomed this event, called the Inundation, because the floodwaters brought rich soil needed to grow crops in what was otherwise a desert.
No one in Egypt knew exactly when the flooding would start, but they noticed a coincidence that gave them a clue: The water began to rise on the days when Sirius (known to them as Sothis) began to rise before the Sun. Sothis and the Inundation became so important to the Egyptians’ survival that they began their new year with the new Moon that followed the star’s first appearance on the eastern horizon.
ancient-egyptians-dog-star-sirius.jpg
A Time of Ill Fortune?
Unlike the Egyptians, the ancient Greeks and Romans were not as pleased by Sirius’s appearance. For them, Sirius signaled a time when evil was brought to their lands in the form of drought, disease, or discomfort.
Virgil, the Roman poet, wrote in the Aeneid that “fiery Sirius, bringer of drought and plague to frail mortals, rises and saddens the sky with sinister light.”
Is this just superstition? A 2009 Finnish study tested the traditional claim that the rate of infections is higher during the Dog Days. The authors wrote, “This study was conducted in order to challenge the myth that the rate of infections is higher during the dog days. To our surprise, the myth was found to be true.”
hot-dog-days-of-summer.jpg
Dog Days of Summer Folklore Old-timers believed that rainfall on the Dog Days was a bad omen, as foretold in this verse: Dog Days bright and clear Indicate a happy year; But when accompanied by rain, For better times, our hopes are vain.
“Dog Days are approaching; you must, therefore, make both hay and haste while the Sun shines, for when old Sirius takes command of the weather, he is such an unsteady, crazy dog, there is no dependence upon him.” –The Old Farmer’s Almanac, 1817
→ Watch our video on the Dog Days and the Dog Star! Plus, try this Dog-Days Iced Tea to keep you refreshed in the heat.
SUN
HEAT
SEASONS
SUMMER
ADVERTISEMENT
MORE LIKE THIS Embedded thumbnail for Dog Days of Summer Dog Days of Summer
Find Sirius, the Brightest Star of February
How to Find Sirius, the Dog Star
Stargazing: Finding the Stars and Constellations
Night Sky Map for January 2023: The Brightest Night Sky of the Year
Holiday Folklore and Facts Get Almanac’s Daily Updates Free Email Newsletter Email Address Enter your email address BONUS: You’ll also receive our free Beginner Gardening Guide!
COMMENTS ADD A COMMENT Jennie A Bohannon (not verified) 1 year 9 months ago My mom always said that ordinary house flies will bite during dog days.
REPLY Susan (not verified) 2 years 10 months ago A friend claims that one should not hatch eggs during Dog Days. She claims that the chicks will be weak, sick, & not live through the winter. Any thoughts?
REPLY Sandy (not verified) 9 months agoIn reply to Hatching Chickens during Dog Days by Susan (not verified) My understanding is that young chicks do not get a chance to acclimate to the cold because they still required warmth and protection to grow feathers by the time the cold hits. Typically they can't go outside for about 6 weeks after hatching.
REPLY Wendy B. (not verified) 3 years 9 months ago For most of my childhood I have often been told that snakes bite more during dog days. My dad told us that the snakes eyes have a cloudy covering over them during the 'dog days'. Is there any scientific evidence of this ?
REPLY The Editors 3 years 9 months agoIn reply to Dog days by Wendy B. (not verified) When snakes are about to shed their skin in summer, their eyes cloud over as the old eye covering layer is replaced with a new one. The eyes look milky in color and the snake’s vision is impaired until it sheds the old layer, usually a few days. This happens in summer, but not necessarily during the Dog Days.
Note, too that shedding can vary from species to species, as well as environmental conditions, the animal’s nutrition and their growth rate.
REPLY Brianna (not verified) 4 years ago Dog days of summer .. oh how i loathe thee.
REPLY Diane Carroll (not verified) 4 years 9 months ago Weve had hard rains and very hot weather now my rooster is staying on perch not eating and not crowing. Do they do this during dog days
REPLY The Editors 4 years 9 months agoIn reply to My rooster not crowing and staying on perch by Diane Carroll (not verified) Roosters and chickens can get heat stress, some signs being panting, lethargy, loss of appetite, holding their wings out. Make sure that your rooster has shelter/shade from the heat and plenty of water. Also check if he might be suffering from an illness. Hope this helps!
REPLY Denise T (not verified) 4 years 9 months ago A bigger mystery to me is why August 17th is designated as the start of "Cat Days" in the almanac and always has been. What the heck are "cat days"?
REPLY mar chapman (not verified) 4 years 9 months agoIn reply to CAT DAYS by Denise T (not verified) Cat Nights harks back to a rather obscure old Irish legend concerning witches and the belief that a witch could turn herself into a cat eight times, but on the ninth time (August 17), she couldnt regain her human form. This bit of folklore also gives us the saying, A cat has nine lives. Because August is a yowly time for cats, this may have prompted the speculation about witches on the prowl in the first place.
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Dude
Yes?
Hell of a post. You crushed it. That's all
Oh, thank you.
Dog days of summer! Gotta watch out for the rattlesnakes here in the South! Dogg comms