Can All Dogs Swim? Explore Canine Aquatic Abilities

Not all dogs are built to be swimmers. It’s a demanding exercise that takes a certain physiology to be good at and some breeds just don’t have what it takes. Little legs, long bodies, short bodies or flat faces can all make swimming a bigger task for some than it is for others.

Breeds that don’t tend to enjoy going for a swim include:

●      Boston Terrier

●      Shih Tzu

●      Corgi

●      Bassett Hound

●      Chow Chow

If any dog is in a sticky situation, they may be able to swim a few strokes to help them back to safety, but there are many breeds who are not able to do much beyond that and they won’t choose to swim.

It used to be a common misconception that dogs had an innate ability to swim just because many of them make a paddling motion near water and figure it out quickly, but it isn’t instinctual. You may be wondering ‘do dogs swim naturally’, those few paddles might be the extent of their ability and is by no means swimming. Dogs learn to swim through a mixture of trial and error and watching others, but if they have a body shape or anatomy that makes it difficult, they may never be able to swim.

You’re probably wondering, can any dog swim then? A dog’s ability to swim is mainly based on the attributes related to their breed! From flat faces to short legs, these are all factors that contribute to the success of a dog that swims.

Unsure if your pooch can paddle? We’ve discussed a few of the most commonly queried breeds in regard to swimming below!

Dachshunds, both standard and miniature size generally cannot swim. Their small legs and long body make it difficult to keep afloat in water and propel themselves forward. Their weight is all in their body and relying on those little legs to somehow keep them above water is almost impossible. If a dachshund does swim, they’ll tire very quickly and become at risk of getting exhausted and getting into trouble.

 

While pugs may have relatively long legs compared to their body size and look like they may physically be able to swim, their issue comes in the form of their breathing.

Flat face dogs like pugs don’t have the same shaped head as other breeds but that just means a lot of extra skin tends to reside around their nose, mouth and in their throat. This is what can make any demanding exercise difficult for them and why they don’t tend to be able to swim, it’s too tiring for them.

While bulldogs are a little in the middle, they don’t have the shortest legs or flattest face, they are very bulky dogs for their size. Bulldogs have massive chunky bodies that make them so lovable and good to cuddle, but doesn’t do them much good when it comes to swimming. With such a heavy body compared to their size, bulldogs don’t make for very strong swimmers, and they aren’t usually able to stay afloat or enjoy a paddle. Bulldogs are notorious for not wanting to go out into the rain, let alone go for a swim.

From Portuguese water dogs and German Shepherds to Irish water spaniels and English setters, there’s a variety of dog breeds that are confident swimmers and absolutely love being in the water.

If they’ve been introduced to water as a pup and are physically suited to swimming, yes! Swimming is a great form of exercise and is a fun way to cool off, which usually makes it popular with pooches if they’re water-inclined.

Swimming might seem like it comes naturally to them, but it’s still a learning curve, and some pups may need a helping paw. You can help your dog practice swimming in a few different ways.

Finding them some nice shallow water to practice in without strong currents or tides can really help with their confidence, so they don’t go into deep water too quickly or feel like they’re out of their depth.

Their swimming sessions should be kept short, so they don’t get too tired. Rewarding them for any progress with a tasty treat can help make it a positive experience. The more practice they get the stronger a swimmer they will become.

The younger you’re able to introduce swimming as an activity to your pup, the more confident they will be with it as they get older. Puppies are a lot more flexible when it comes to experiencing new things than adults.  A fear period is a time in which a dog is more likely to have an adverse reaction to new stimuli.

Young dogs have their first fear period at around eight weeks which can last several weeks, but they have a second fear period that occurs between six months and a year old. Introducing a puppy to swimming before they are six months old means they are far more likely to approach the new activity with confidence and grow into a much strong swimmer. Dogs can also learn later in life that they might just take a little longer to start to enjoy it or get confident with it.

Safety is a super important aspect to consider when teaching your dog to swim, and it’s not as common to have a pool at our constant disposal in the UK and the blow-up paddling pools are rarely deep enough to teach our pooches to swim. There are several places you can take your dog for a swim but if you’re looking to teach them from scratch, dog friendly pools are a good choice. They’re clean, there’s no current and you can use the still, calm water to really let them find their confidence.

To help find the best dog friendly pool or beach in your area, discover the best places to take a dog swimming. Whilst rivers and lakes may seem like a quieter option, this article explores how they may not be the safest.

Your dog’s normal temperature is between 38 and 39 degrees Celsius, and if it dips below 36 degrees, they may be at risk of hypothermia. That’s why it’s super important to be cautious of your canine companion diving into a cold body of water. Dogs will be comfortable in water that’s between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, and it’s advisable to avoid swimming if water is below 10 degrees.

Whilst your bathtub may not be big enough for your fully-grown dog to practice a length, a bath is a great way of getting your pup used to water and easing them in! A dogs swimming experience starts small and simple.

Getting your dog to grips with water is something every parent should attempt, and for their general safety it’s worth your dog knowing how to swim if their breed/physical features allows them to.

If you’re one of the lucky few who has easy access to a beach, teaching your dog to swim in the ocean is a possibility. It’s a good idea to start slow and steady (and worth noting you’ll have to be getting in the sea with your canine companion too, so get your bathing suit at the ready) and stay in the shallow end to build your dog’s confidence. Frequent rewarding with treats will help your pooch’s confidence grow, and as you steadily take them deeper, you can eventually lose the treats and offer them independence.

 

Yep, that’s right! Swimming lessons for dogs are a thing and are worth considering if your pooch is hesitant getting in the water and for making sure they are safe whilst in water. They aren’t necessarily about teaching your dog to swim, but more about how to handle being in water. For a confident first-time swim, dogs can benefit from having lessons!

There’s a couple of reasons why you might choose to pay for swimming lessons for your canine companion including:

-        Hesitant near water

-        Anxiety over water

-        Struggling to teach them in general

-        General safety instructions on behaving in water

Swimming can be such a fun pastime that our dogs can enjoy, and we can even jump in and go for a dip with them. Summer is a fun time to be able to cool off together out and about. For all your doggy essentials, look at our wide range of products in store and online.