Do most dogs like swimming?

terrylynnn9 · #1 05-06-2006, 02:14 AM

Does swimming come naturally to most dogs, I have only had one out of 4 dogs who have shown a propensity to like swimming, although I', not sure about the others because its not like there is water everywhere for them to have the opportunity.

stuieboo · #2 05-06-2006, 05:28 AM

Is this a poll on what our own dogs are like, or what we think dogs are like in general?

wellahart · #3 05-06-2006, 02:31 PM

some dogs like Retrievers and labs are bred to be swimmers (webbed paws, etc) other dogs like pugs can't swim at all because they don't have webbed paws and have problems swimming.
It all depends on the dog. My golden loves creeks, ponds, and sometimes my bf's aunts pool. But he would NOT use the kiddy pool we got him and if he goes in the pool it's just long enough to get cooled down. The creek and other dirty water though he will spend the whole day there if he could.

DorkyChantelle · #4 05-06-2006, 02:36 PM

I'm not really sure about dogs in general but my Great Dane seems to be incapable of swimming...or just has NO instincts for it whatsoever. Years ago, we were camping and she accidentally fell off the dock and into the water. We weren't alarmed because we figured "hey, she's a dog, she'll figure it out." After a few seconds of flailing, she started to sink. My dad dove in and pulled her out but it was scary. I guess we won't ever assume that a dog will know how to swim

Ambieruns10 · #5 05-06-2006, 02:50 PM

My dogs love swimming. I have a German Shepard mix who won't stay out of the water! She will lay down in a puddle just to get wet.

I also have a Pug, he loves the water also. I don't agree that pugs can't swim, cuz he does just fine. Mostly he tries to stay where he can touch though because he gets water up his nose very easily.

terrylynnn9 · #6 05-06-2006, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuieboo


	Is this a poll on what our own dogs are like, or what we think dogs are like in general?

Its about our own dogs, I always hear about dogs who love the water and the pictures prove it but its never been my experience with my dogs.

terrylynnn9 · #7 05-06-2006, 04:27 PM

Wellhart: love the pictures, thats amazing to see your dog in the pool and that one of him in the stream as wide as he is and he so looks like hes enjoying himself.
ps thanks for replying everyone.

kfielder · #8 05-06-2006, 04:32 PM

My Lab has web feet and all, but she HATES the water. You can't even get her to go outside to potty if it's raining. (She can hold it almost a full 24 hours.) She won't go near any sort of body of water. It's like she's terrified. We got her from a shelter when she was 11 weeks old, so I can't imagine what sort of bad experience she's had around water, but it really scares her.

HappyDancer · #9 05-06-2006, 06:30 PM

2 of mine love to swim...aussie and cocker mix...they jump in and stay forever in the pool, lakes and creeks lol...my yorkie wants absolutely nothing to do with water what-so-ever lol

wellahart · #10 05-06-2006, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrylynnn9


	Wellhart: love the pictures, thats amazing to see your dog in the pool and that one of him in the stream as wide as he is and he so looks like hes enjoying himself. ps thanks for replying everyone.

Thanks....those pics of him in the pool were because he was trying to get away from the pug because she kept chasing him around the pool, but she wouldn't go in. That creek ran through my backyard at the old place. It was his favorite place to be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kfielder


	My Lab has web feet and all, but she HATES the water. You can't even get her to go outside to potty if it's raining. (She can hold it almost a full 24 hours.) She won't go near any sort of body of water. It's like she's terrified. We got her from a shelter when she was 11 weeks old, so I can't imagine what sort of bad experience she's had around water, but it really scares her.

Shadow is actually the same way when it comes to rain. He will beg to go out until he sees it pouring and then he looks at me like why did you drag me out here. lol I got him when he was about a year or year and a half. He had been severely abused and malnurished, but he's come a long way.

wellahart · #11 05-06-2006, 11:01 PM

oh and Shadow also won't let me give him a bath...I take him to a groomer cuz he won't even go in the bathroom if i'm in there. I guess he only likes it if he goes in because he wants to. The first time we went to the pool he would not go in, but like I said, he wanted away from the pug lol

stuieboo · #12 05-07-2006, 05:25 AM

Minx my Staffordshire Bull Terrier wont go near the water. She also wont go out in the rain, if the lawn is wet she toilets on the patio so she doesnt have to get her paws wet. Wimp

**Scarlette** · #13 05-07-2006, 11:53 AM

Most of the dogs I've had really enjoyed the water, even if it meant only wading up to their belly. Mirra, my Bull Terrier, LOVES the water. Sydnee, my other Bull Terrier, only likes to wade in it but since she's only 7 months old she hasn't been around long enough to enjoy the lake in the summer time so hopefully that will change. My Doberman, Scarlette, HATES the water! She won't even go near it!

Rocheal · #14 05-08-2006, 03:50 PM

Spot never passed a chance to go to the river with me. He loved to ride the rapids.

If you look very close in the river picture, you can see him with a stick in his mouth.

Chrissy · #15 05-08-2006, 06:18 PM

Our long haired shepherd LOVED puddles.. but was never a swimmer. She would always find the muddiest and deepest puddle around and plop right in the middle of it

Our collie/pointer X hated water when we first got her.. if we had to cross a tiny stream she would always walk in the rocks right behind me.. then it's almost as if she learned over night that water was FUN! Now I can't keep her out of it and if she is off leash and there is water around that's the first place she heads and jumps right in

its a poll about our own dogs.