Dogs can get sunburnt too
Sunburn in dogs is a genuine risk, not just a human concern transferred onto pets. Skin with little or no fur to filter UV rays, the nose, ear tips, belly, and any area with thin or sparse coat, can burn after extended sun exposure, and repeated sun damage over years is linked to a higher risk of skin cancers in dogs, much as it is in people.
Which dogs are most at risk
Short-haired and light-coloured or pink-skinned dogs are the most vulnerable, breeds like Boxers, Bull Terriers, Dalmatians, and any dog with white or very light fur and pink skin underneath have far less natural UV protection than a dog with dark skin and a dense coat. Dogs that have been shaved or clipped short for summer temporarily lose the protection their coat normally provides, and hairless breeds need sun protection essentially every time they're outdoors in daylight.
Where dogs get burnt
The nose, the tips of the ears, and the belly (especially in dogs that sunbathe on their backs) are the most common sunburn sites because the skin there is thin and often minimally covered by fur. Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors, at the beach, by the pool, or in a yard with little shade, are at higher cumulative risk over a season than dogs with occasional, brief sun exposure.
What actually helps
A pet-specific sunscreen, applied to exposed areas like the nose, ear tips, and belly, is the most direct protection, and it's worth checking the product is formulated for dogs rather than using a human sunscreen, since some ingredients in human products are unsafe if licked off. Lightweight sun-protective vests or rash guards cover the back and belly for dogs at the beach or pool, and simply limiting time in direct midday sun and providing shade reduces exposure without any extra gear at all.
When sun damage needs a vet visit
Red, painful, or peeling skin after sun exposure should be treated like sunburn in a person, keep the dog out of further sun and monitor for worsening. Any new lump, sore that won't heal, or changing patch of skin, especially on commonly sun-exposed areas, is worth having checked by a vet, since these can be signs of sun-related skin changes that are best caught early.
For at-risk dogs, sun protection works best as a routine step before outdoor time in summer rather than something remembered only after a burn happens. Reapplying sunscreen after swimming, checking exposed skin after a day outdoors, and choosing shaded routes for midday walks all add up over a season far more than any single precaution on its own.