While you may have assumed that all dogs are natural swimmers, this isn't necessarily true. Yes, some dog breeds do well when they're in water, but other dog breeds may be more likely to struggle in the water no matter how much they dog paddle.
While some dogs, like the ones mentioned before, are natural-born swimmers, others are just not able to excel in the water due to their biology. Bulldogs and Dachshunds, for instance, often don't have the physical build to keep themselves afloat, and will likely need extra help with a floatation device.
Some dog breeds have partially or fully webbed feet, increasing the surface area and aiding in propulsion and maneuverability in water. Many dog breeds have innate swimming instincts or an affinity for water, stemming from their ancestors and specific breeding purposes.
Yes, there are indeed dogs that do well and enjoy swimming in the water. Some would even run excitedly and jump in every body of water that they encounter. However, this is not always the case. Some find swimming challenging, and some even avoid water altogether.
There are many reasons why dogs may be fearful of water. It could simply be that it's a new experience for them or that the water feels different under their paws or on their fur. Your pet may have also had a traumatic experience with water. Or, maybe they were forced to get wet when they weren't ready.
Make sure the water isn't too cold, and never throw or push your dog into the water. Instead, lure him in with a water toy or treat. Many dogs will be happy to wade in as long as they can feel the bottom.
It's Stress-Relieving
Not only is swimming great for your dog's physical health, it also improves their mental wellbeing.
The resistance of water makes your dog work harder to swim than he has to work on land to walk or run. He will show improved muscular strength and tone, while working the cardio-vascular and respiratory systems, without the impact of concussive exercise on land and the associated damage that it may cause.
From the perspective of a psychologist, though, dogs don't quite have the level of self-awareness necessary to consider themselves a dog. When they look in a mirror, they don't actually recognise themselves.
Labrador Retriever
If your dog has “retriever” in his breed name, he's likely to be an avid swimmer. These dogs were initially bred to hunt and retrieve waterfowl, so swimming is basically in their DNA. You can also observe some physical characteristics in Labrador Retrievers that help with paddling around as well.
Throughout their early history, cats were not exposed to rivers, lakes and rain and as a result were not as familiar with water as some other evolving species.” Unlike dogs, who love to frolic in the water and in some instances are even trained to work in it, most kitties aren't fans of getting wet.
If your dog has webbed feet, a long muzzle, long legs, or a double coat, he is probably a natural swimmer. Dog breeds that were originally bred for hunting with humans, such as Boykin Spaniels, Otterhounds, and Flat-Coated Retrievers don't usually turn down a chance to play and splash in the water.
No matter the breed, age, or temperament, all dogs howl. Some howl a little. Some howl a lot. Some howl louder.
Therefore, since dogs utilize fat more readily than humans, their endurance and aerobic capacity are far greater. A dog's biology is only one piece of the puzzle. While their genetics give them the tools to be superior athletes, the way they are cared for determines whether their full potential is realized.
A dog's breed determines most of its innate ability to gravitate toward the water and swim naturally. Dogs that like to swim and those that don't have anatomical and instinctual differences. Most dog breeds with a propensity for the water have longer legs that enable them to dog paddle easier.
Because swimming is a low or no impact activity, our dogs can exercise longer burning more calories than walking or even fetching a Frisbee. Many veterinarians suggest swimming burns 4 times the number of calories walking does in the same amount of time.
Active dogs need around 20-30 minutes of pure swimming for a good workout while others might only need 10-15 minutes. What is this? A dog's swimming workout can vary depending on their personality, age, and overall health. Some dogs are more into it than others so everything from 5 to 60 minutes is possible.
For other dogs, including those who have had enough water, they may chomp or lick at water while swimming simply because it's fun for them.
Dogs new to the sport can often only swim 10 minutes until their stamina level is reached. For dogs recovering from an injury or illness, gentle progressive exercise is the key. Each visit will increase his stamina. Your 30-minute swim session is industry standard for the average dog.
Dogs who take frequent dips in the family pool may suffer from dry, itchy skin and a dry, dull coat because the chemicals in pool water strip the skin and coat of their natural oils. Chlorinated water may also have a slight bleaching effect on dark coats, and could even turn lighter coats (gasp!) greenish.
Unable to seal their cheeks completely, there is no way for a dog to suck up water. Conversely, humans have "complete" cheeks, and we drink by creating negative pressure, allowing us to suck water into our mouths and down our throats.
After every swim—or at the end of each day, if your dog tends to jump in and out of the pool all day—rinse his coat thoroughly with cool water. Rinse longer than you think is necessary to remove all the chlorine and other pool chemicals. Towel-dry or blow-dry if appropriate.
And even a squirt bottle can easily become abusive. We cannot choose what a dog finds punishing or reinforcing; maybe the water isn't what works for that particular dog, or something else in the environment is reinforcing the behaviour and negating the effect of the (possibly) unpleasant water spray.