How to teach a dog to swim? Which dog breeds can and love to swim, and which cannot swim?

Dogs are the best pets. They are devoted and faithful, always ready to rush to the aid of their owner, giving all their love unconditionally. But not all dogs are the same - some are excellent sitters and climbers, while others are divers and rescuers. In this article you will find a list of four-legged friends for which water is their natural habitat. Watch the video to get to know them better!

Curly and with bangs

The Portuguese Water Dog is a breed from the Algarve region of Portugal. She instantly attracted media attention when Barack Obama's family received Bo, their new four-legged pet. Thus, the Portuguese Water Dog not only became popular all over the world, but was also the “first” in the White House. This breed was originally bred to chase fish and force them into nets. The dog has webbed feet, which makes it an excellent swimmer. The breed is known to be intelligent and easy to train.

The Irish Water Spaniel was originally bred in the Emerald Isles (Ireland). This breed is one of the most highly intelligent among its brothers. The dog's distinctive, dense, curly coat is water-repellent, making it ideal for retrieving waterfowl while hunting.

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TOP 5 dog breeds that love to swim in water

Not all dog breeds are born natural swimmers. Some of them, like cats, will run and hide from splashes of water, but some breeds really feel like fish in the water, and a walk to a pond is a joy for them. What dog breeds have excellent swimming skills?

Portuguese water dog

This breed was bred to help fishermen, so the Portuguese merman is a real swimmer. They can easily catch fish in nets, can dive deep to retrieve lost equipment, and can even swim under ice. They have a calm and balanced character, a high level of intelligence and hard work.

Poodle

The word “poodle” even translates as “splash in the water.” Curly coats help dogs stay warm in cold water, and they are excellent swimmers. Poodles can frolic in the water for hours. They are active by temperament and able to withstand heavy physical exertion. Their coat requires regular grooming. Therefore, after bathing, give your poodle a good comb.

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Newfoundland

This good-natured breed was bred by Canadian fishermen. The main specialization of these large dogs is helping fishermen and rescuing people in cold waters. This is a real rescue dog that will pull any adult out of the water. Newfoundland is able to tow even a small boat. Their endurance is the envy of everyone else.

Boykin Spaniel

Representatives of this breed simply adore water; they will not miss the opportunity to wet their paws in a river, lake or even stream. Thanks to their webbed feet, Boykin Spaniels are excellent swimmers. They chase fish and ducks with great excitement, pretending that they are hunting. These dogs are easy to train, so don’t waste time on training your pet.

Labrador Retriever

This breed was originally bred to hunt waterfowl. These dogs enjoy relaxing near the water and taking water treatments. A small Labrador puppy should not be thrown into water to learn how to swim. He will learn on his own, over time, when he feels trust in the water. And then you can’t drag the dog away by the ears.

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Retrievers

Labrador is a well-known water-loving breed. Previously bred to tow boats and retrieve fish from nets in the cold waters of the North Atlantic. The breed is gentle, loyal and highly trainable, making them ideal assistance dogs for the disabled.

The Nova Scotia Retriever has a water-repellent coat, allowing the dog to swim in cold water. This is a hunting breed that dives after shot game. Is a family dog with a high level of intelligence.

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The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was used to retrieve ducks from the water. Dense fur helps to dive into colder and harder waters. They love discipline and regular training.

The Flat-Coated Retriever was developed in Great Britain. It is believed that his ancestry includes the Newfoundland breed. The Flat-Coated Retriever is an intelligent and easy-to-train dog that is also full of energy and enthusiasm. Sometimes he gets irritated.

Curly-coated retrievers were guests on ships that went fishing. The breed was developed by crossing a Newfoundland and an Irish spaniel.

Can dogs swim?

Typically, once a dog is in the water, it will at least try to swim like a dog. However, this does not mean that she can be sent on a swim, especially a long one, with peace of mind. Plus, even if your dog knows how to swim, it doesn't mean that he enjoys this type of activity or that it is safe for him.

Other dogs

The English Setter is one of the favorite breeds of the past. They took this dog with them hunting. She is very smart and has a phenomenal memory, so she will definitely remember her friend or enemy. The breed is family friendly and ideal for companionship with small children.

The Newfoundland is a gentle giant that was born to swim. It has strong webbed toes and thick fur, which allows it to dive in cold waters. Originally bred to help fishermen drag their nets. Today, the main task of this dog is to save those who cannot get out of the water.

The Airedale Terrier is a cute and unusual dog that used to hunt pests living in the water (rats, otters). The breed protected the population from foxes and martens.

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How to introduce your dog to swimming

Let's look at the main ways to teach a dog to swim, so that both the animal and its owner will have positive emotions from water procedures:

It is best to introduce an animal to the water element at home by running some warm water into the bath
. In the first days of training, the dog should be placed in water so that it covers only its paws. This procedure should only last a few minutes, especially if the animal is worried. But you need to repeat the bath regularly so that the dog is not afraid of water. Every day the amount of water should increase until it reaches the pet’s chest;
If it's warm outside, you can accustom your dog to water in a small pool
;
You must purchase a life jacket for your pet
. It will help [1] the animal to stay on the water and remain calm even in a body of water with a strong current. It is important that the dog vest is durable, bright and has reflective elements; it must have a handle with which the owner can hold his pet;
The dog should get used to the vest before its first swim in the pond
. 2 weeks before the intended visit to a river (sea, lake, etc.), the dog needs to wear a vest at home for 20-30 minutes. The animal should not be afraid of this rescue element;
If your pet reacts positively to the water in the bathtub or home pool, you can go to the river. While keeping the dog on a leash, you need to walk with it, first just along the shore, and then in shallow water
;
It is advisable to walk the dog for several days at shallow depths
, and only then you can try to go somewhere deeper, not forgetting about the life jacket. The owner needs to hold the vest's handle firmly, supporting the pet on the surface of the water and pointing it in the right direction;
Bathing together should be continued until the pet begins to feel very confident in the water
. Until the owner is convinced that his four-legged friend works independently with both his front and hind limbs, without going under water;
You can send your dog to bathe himself using the “Fetch” command
. Let your pet run into the water after an abandoned toy and bring it back to the owner;
Does the dog behave bravely in the water next to its owner, but is afraid to swim alone? Watching another dog who is cheerful and active in the water will help give your pet courage
. This is the recommendation [1] of experts from the American Kennel Club;
In order for the animal to have only positive impressions from swimming, it should be praised and treated
[1] after each exit from the water to the shore;
If the owner finds it difficult to teach his dog to swim, you can think about contacting specialists
from an aqua club for animals (there are such establishments in many large cities). During training, dogs are taught to behave calmly in the pool, jump into the water, and swim correctly. True, this pleasure is not too cheap;
An owner who goes out on the water with his dog should always have a veterinary clinic phone number
. If the animal becomes ill, you will have to contact a veterinarian.