Thursday, July 19, 2012

Not All Dog Breeds Swim Easily

By Allyson Westcot


Some breeds appear to have swimming in their bones. You'd be pretty hard-pressed to find a retriever or water spaniel that did not take to water. But even among breeds that can usually swim well, there may be a few individual dogs that simply aren't comfortable and confident swimming or plain don't love it. And then there are breeds that usually can't swim, like bulldogs.

A bulldog falling into a pool or area of water could simply and quickly drown. Other breeds that generally can't swim well or at all include greyhounds, corgis, dachshunds and Boston terriers, among others. If you have one of those breeds, or a dog that doesn't appear to understand how to swim properly, then you'd do well to invest in a dog life vest. Even if your dog is an expert swimmer, a life vest for dogs is good to have available and use.

Bulldogs and similar breeds that have large chests, especially in proportion with the build of their bodies, are not built to stay afloat. These dogs, like pretty much all dogs, will begin to paddle when they hit the water. But in the case off bulldogs, it simply won't do much good. For your dog's safety in and around water, a dog life vest is an absolute must.

Remember that even if you do not plan to go into the water, if he gets near the water he could fall in. A regular dog harness can give you an easy way to grab your dog, but if you can't reach him, it won't help him stay above water. Even if your dog swims well, circumstances could cause him to struggleâ€"fatigue, cold water, surprise, age and doubt.

If your dog isn't one of the breeds which has a good deal of trouble, you can use a dog life jacket to assist your pet in swimming. They can be especially useful if you are easing your dog into the water and helping him learn to swim, too.




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