15 Mar Do Dogs Know How to Swim?

All dogs bark, love to chew and dig, can sense fear and swim! These are some of the facts and misconceptions that dog owners believe. Which is true and which is false? Do dogs know how to swim, or must they be taught? All dogs don’t bark, only the Basenji breed makes a special kind of growl and whine, and this breed never barks. Some species are greedy; some are voracious eaters and turn away when their owners bring them food. If you want to learn more about dogs swimming, stay tuned to the end of this article.

Can dogs swim?

Dogs of the same breed aren’t only different in appearance, temperament, abilities, and talents. Dogs are good companions in the pool and lake. These animals have saved countless lives from drowning. But unfortunately, not all dogs can swim. Dogs are skilled swimmers, and even swimming paddles are modelled after how dogs swim. Retrievers are supposed to be good swimmers like ducks, but believe it or not, the Golden Retriever is a good swimmer despite being known as a family dog.

Which dog breeds are better swimmers?

Some breeds are good at swimming. Retriever breeds, Spanish Water Dogs, Irish Water Spaniel and Setter, Newfoundland, and Portuguese water dogs are some breeds that can swim in the water. Some of these breeds’ legs are feathered like water birds. Swimming training isn’t required for these dog breeds. These types of dogs are very suitable for energetic owners who like swimming.

In some breeds, it’s difficult for them to swim, and it doesn’t fit with their body structure. A doll breed with short legs will find swimming difficult and can’t keep its head out of the water. Swimming is difficult for bulldogs, dachshunds, basset hounds, pugs, corgis, greyhounds, Scottish terriers and basset hounds.

Is swimming suitable for dogs?

Although a dog can swim, it may not be medically appropriate. For example, a Maltese may be able to swim, but due to rickets and arthritis common in this breed, even swimming in a warm pool isn’t possible for him. So, swimming isn’t a good idea for this breed.

How to tell if a dog can swim or not?

Not all dogs have a good relationship with water, but like humans, they instinctively wade in deep water. The exciting part is when the dog flaps frantically and uses his front legs to escape the water. A dog that doesn’t know how to swim can’t swim well when he falls into the water. Fatigue, loss of body temperature, and shocks caused by shaking the dog’s head by repeated paddling are among the issues that can cause him to drown. A life jacket can save a dog’s life from drowning.

Can a dog be taught to swim?

Dogs are intelligent creatures, as they can be taught tricks and techniques. In the same way, they can be introduced to water and make them good swimmers. The only way is to build trust and confidence in them. In this way, introduce him to water little by little. Throwing a dog in the water and forcing him to swim is never a good idea. The best time to train a dog to swim is when he’s a puppy because he is more manageable at this age.

The first method

Most beaches and parks don’t allow dogs to swim. You can train dogs to swim in your pool and enter. It would be best to choose a place where the water depth isn’t too deep; pay attention to whether the dog can swim in this place with underwater plants or seagrass.

The second method

At this stage, you should consider tasty treats for the dog and give them delicious treats to encourage them. You should also bring appropriate clothes such as towels and swimsuits.

The third method of teaching a dog to swim

To accustom the dog to water, you can entertain him with a toy and throw it into the water so that the dog goes into the water to fetch it.

The fourth method of teaching a dog to swim

When your dog enters the water, you should hold him in the water while he puts his feet in the water and put one hand under the dog’s butt. It would be best to keep the dog firmly at this stage and not let him move.

The fifth step of training a dog to swim

In the fifth step, let’s release the dog slowly and stand next to the dog to help him when necessary. The correct way to swim a dog is with his hips aligned with his head. Encourage the dog to swim. You can also use delicious foods to encourage. To make your work easier, you can also put a dog who knows how to swim next to your dog; that dog can also encourage your dog to swim.

Here are a few tips about dog swimming

Not every dog knows how to swim.

Yes, some dogs are good swimmers, but dogs generally know how to doggie paddle. This method brings them to their destination, but they can’t resist for a long time. Teach your dog to use his hind legs from a young age. For this, you enter the water with your dog and support his weight by holding his belly so that he can use his hands and feet. So your dog becomes a skilled swimmer in a short period. 

Train your dog to use the ladder.

Not only will you save your dog from getting wet during the dog dive, but you will also save his life. Even skilled swimmers can drown if they fail to get out of the side of the pool.

The pool water must stay in the pool.

Not only should you not allow your dog to drink from the pool water, but also wash and dry him after leaving the water; the chlorine in the pool water causes problems for your dog’s skin.

Don’t leave your dog alone by the pool.

Dangers are threatening your dog by the pool. For example, winter pool covers are dangerous for dogs. When diving, the dog gets stuck between the bodies and may drown.

How do different breeds of dogs swim?

Usually, all these dogs use the same pattern for this activity, But in different types of breeds, this pattern may be slightly different, and this difference is so tiny that you can’t notice it at first glance. So, in this part, we discuss the swimming of several famous breeds.

German Shepherd swimming

Among the ten types of dog breeds that are skilled swimmers, one of these breeds is German. German Shepherds, like other dogs, use their hands and feet to move in the water. Their hair cover is such that it doesn’t bother them in the water.

Husky swimming

Husky dogs are a breed mainly found in the complex parts of Russia. When swimming, these breeds hold their head entirely up and use their hands more to move forward.

Pomeranian dog swimming

The Pomeranian breed is tiny, so using a life jacket or helping in the water for the first swim is better. In the second and third exercises, you will notice how well they move in the water with the coordination of their hands and feet.

Doberman swimming

Doberman dogs have a concise hair body cover, so they move quickly in the water with the help of their hands and feet.

Bulldog swimming

The bulldog breed has short arms and legs, so it’s better to swim very little, or if they do, make sure to use a life jacket or help; their short arms and legs may lead to drowning.

Shih Tzu dog swimming

Although Shih Tzu dogs have very long hair, they quickly jump in the water, and the hair can’t prevent them from doing this activity. These dogs use their legs to move more than their hands in the water.

Terrier dog swimming

Terrier breeds do this activity efficiently in water. Their medium size and perfect cover body make them quickly move forward in the water.

Lifeguard dogs

It’s debatable whether dogs can be lifeguards or whether it’s right to swim dogs in the sea or not. But in countries like Australia, you can see that dogs and lifeguards on the beaches save people. Although this activity is automatic in dogs, training a dog to swim is necessary for a lifeguard dog.

Dog swimming vest

When training this activity for your dog, especially those preparing for rescue, a life jacket is essential. Fully trained dogs also need a life jacket.

To wrap up

Diving the dog in the water makes him cool. This method also drains the dog of excess energy. In the same way, you teach your child to swim; you should train your dog with some tips. The above tips will keep your dog safe by the water in all seasons. In winter, keep in mind that the dog shouldn’t get sick. You can prevent the disease and have a healthy dog in this case. To have a healthy and lively dog, you must pay attention to nutrition, activity, health, grooming, etc. In all these steps, you can count on the specialized team of MishkaGrooming. Our experienced and precise groomers have carefully and accurately groomed your dogs, so they count the moments before the next session. In winter, keep in mind that the dog shouldn’t get sick.