Even though you may have your summer all planned out with a bunch of fun beach outings, do you really know for sure that your pet pal will enjoy all that sand, sun and water?
Some dogs just don’t take to the water… Literally. They may be too small. Or perhaps they’re just too hairy. And the rest of them just aren’t genetically suited for it at all!
Small Dogs
Dachshunds have tiny little teeny weeny legs that make it difficult for them to swim. And their long, sausage-like bodies make them not-so-buoyant. You probably could still take your Dachshund doggy to the beach – but maybe just keep them by your side in the beach tent while you read your novel.
Chihuahuas are terrified of just about everything – including water! They get cold really easily and they are, of course, tiny. They don’t need to go too far into the water at all to be “in too deep.” It’s hard for them to “keep their head above water.” Okay, enough of the platitudes. Just take one look into those big round watery Chihuahua eyes and you’ll want to stay with them in the sand!
Brachycephalic Dogs
Pugs don’t like water that much either. Imagine trying to keep your head above water with a face like that! Don’t get me wrong, they are adorable. But with a flat face and breathing problems, adding water into the mix is a recipe for disaster. In fact, any brachycephalic 1 dog will have similar problems, including Bulldogs and Boxers.
Hairy Dogs
Any hairy dog – whether it has long, silky locks or thick, long dreads is going to end up totally waterlogged if they submerge themselves in the water at the beach. Whether it’s a Shi Tzu, an Afghan Hound or a Puli, hairy dogs get weighed down in the water. You might even have to help them dry off if they do decide to venture in, otherwise they might slap themselves silly trying to shake off all that water.
Other Dogs
Dogs with very short coats that don’t insulate them against the cold and a low percentage of body fat are going to struggle in the water. Greyhounds fall into this category. They are very fast dogs but they aren’t natural swimmers. Also, dogs without webbed feet are at a distinct disadvantage. This includes Greyhounds, Whippets and Dobermans. Dogs with barrel-shaped bodies also really struggle to swim. Think Corgis and Bulldogs. Then there are dogs such as Bull Terriers that have a deep chest that makes it difficult for them to float above the waves.
So is that it, then? I can’t get my dog to swim???
If you have a dog that struggles with swimming, you can always put a life jacket on them! Also, make sure to always be there to supervise them in the water. And if they’re a tiny dog, why not introduce them to water slowly, and hold them in there so they feel safe. That way you can get your dog used to the water, and eventually they will gain enough confidence to go in by themselves.
- Brachycephalic, from Latin, means “shortened” (brachy) “head” (cephalic) – referring to dogs that have “pushed in” faces. ↩︎
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