Make Sure Your Dog Can Swim Before Making Summer Plans
As schools prepare for the final weeks of the school year, summer is fast approaching. Many beach-lovers are most assuredly making plans that may include their four-legged kids well as the two-legged ones.
There are many dogs that love playing in the water and are naturally good swimmers. Some, like the American Water Spaniel, even have their love of swimming implied in their names. Labrador retrievers, Chesapeake Bay retrievers, and the shaggy-haired barbet breeds are also members of that club of dogs who dream of the day when water parks will invite them through the gates.
However, be sure to check with your veterinarian, the American Kennel Club, or another authority on fur babies, to see if your breed of dog is among those inclined toward water sports.
Some Dogs Prefer Land — Some Are in Danger If They Leave It
Some of the dog breeds mentioned above, along with many others, were bred for water jobs — hence their love for splashing around at the pool or lake. According to Hill’s Pet however, other dogs were not bred for the water and should be kept away from it.
For example, brachycephalic breeds — those with flat faces or extremely short snouts — are generally unsuited for swimming because it’s too easy to get water up their noses, making them a drowning risk. Dogs with large, barrel-shaped bodies struggle to stay afloat, as do dogs with long bodies and short legs. (Hill’s Pet Website)
There are also breeds for whom cold water is dangerous as their fragile systems cannot endure the plunge into frigid temperatures.
Below is list of dogs who should be left at home next time you head to the beach, though not every breed belonging to this list may appear and you should make a call to the vet to be sure.
Doggies That Don’t Swim
- Bulldogs
- Pugs
- Bull Terriers
- Basset Hounds
- Boxers
- Corgis
- Dachshunds
- Shih Tzus
If your pup can’t swim, there is the option of life jackets to keep them afloat if they fall in the water. Hill’s Pet also recommends putting a fence around your family’s pool and installing a ramp that would give your short-legged friend the best chance of climbing out safely if you’re not close enough to help.