“The ‘Dog days of Summer’ is an idiom used to describe the hottest, most humid, and sultry days of the summer season. It typically refers to the 40-day period running from July 3 to August 11. They are usually the hottest and most unbearable days of the season. We often hear about the ‘Dog Days’ of summer, but few know where the expression originated. Some think it is a reference to hot, sultry days ‘not fit for a dog.’ Others suggest it is the time of year when the extreme heat drives dogs mad. But where does the term come from, and what does it have to do with dogs? You may be surprised to find it has more to do with the stars than with kennels. The Britannica entry on the Dog Days traces the phrase to the second-century writings of Hesiod and Homer.”

This is according to the Farmers Almanac. However, according to Merriam Webster, the period runs through early September. One can only hope …

*source: Farmers Almanac, Merriam Webster Dictionary