can boxers learn to swim?

4381 Views 24 Replies 15 Participants Last post by tylerjones553, Sep 1, 2011

tpolley

Discussion Starter · Jul 5, 2011

2

we're going to be getting a boxer puppy in a few weeks. we're still learning about the breed.
can they learn to swim? i understand a boxer is just a huge mass of muscle that doesn't float. i read an article somewhere that a doggie life vest should be used and that they can't steer worth a darn because the tails are usually cut off. is the life vest an indefinate thing or will the boxer evenually learn to swim without the vest?

any other tips or tricks would be appreciated.

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VanillaRat

· #2 · Jul 5, 2011

Yes a boxer can learn to swim without a vest.

And here is a cute video for you as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3caRc4KfPT0

Kendalle

· #3 · Jul 5, 2011

The vest might be nice anyway, they don't float well so swimming is a lot of work and on a boat you won't be able to lift them out of the water easy. My dog has a vest. He sinks.

Blacksheep

· #4 · Jul 5, 2011

Yeah funny story. One hot day, my grandpa accidentally left his gate open and the neighbor's had their garage open and his boxer jumped into their pool!!! He picked up pretty quick and thought it was super awesome! Glad his neighbors were cool with it.

Blacksheep

· #5 · Jul 5, 2011

oh and if you're in wild waters (lake, river, ocean...so on) I'd use a vest anyway ESPECIALLY if the water is moving. Yeah sure labs and similar dogs can go without a vest in still water because they are bred to do so but people generally put vests on them in rivers and such.

Purple-Hops

· #6 · Jul 5, 2011

I would use a vest as a precaution. And those pics are reallly cute!

JoJo1970

· #7 · Jul 6, 2011

If my Ridgeback can learn to swim I'm positive ur boxer will too <3
Love the video Vanilla

especially when the other boxer starts drinking the pool!

wishbone

· #8 · Jul 6, 2011

On the second dog park here we have a lake where lots of dogs, like terriers dascshunds and boxers who enjoy swimming!

TinyTimmy

· #9 · Jul 6, 2011

they can defenitely can swim just need to guide them

andrea1

· #10 · Jul 6, 2011

of course they can swim, even without a life vest,
they can surely swim

tpolley

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 6, 2011 (Edited)

5

well, we went and looked at her last night. there were three female pups available. i decided on the one tha has a little white spot on her nose. she's timid at first. the owner told us she had been getting bullied by her brothers and sisters. at one point we saw her getting bullied, she stood up on her hind legs, let out a little gowl and slapped the dog crap out of the bully. i think she'll grow out of her timidness. we have several friends with dogs so we plan to socialise her as much as we can. we have two off leash dog parks within a 5 minute drive and a petsmart and petco on every corner here in kansas city. once she's up to date on her vaccinations we plan to take her out.
its going to be a few more weeks before she's ready to come home. we might go visit next week, i don't know. it's an hour drive each way.

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The Barks Meow

· #12 · Jul 6, 2011

Yeah, they can swim. I'll probably put my beagle in the pool in the next couple weeks.

Cat Condos

· #13 · Jul 6, 2011

VanillaRat said:
Yes a boxer can learn to swim without a vest.

And here is a cute video for you as well.

That's a very cute video! I have a boxer and she is the sweetest dog you will ever meet. I have fallen in love with this breed!

CuteStuff

· #14 · Jul 7, 2011

Purple-Hops said:
I would use a vest as a precaution. And those pics are reallly cute!

AWH. If you ever put your puppy in a vest please take a picture. That is the cutest thing ever.

A little sponge bob vest

tpolley

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jul 7, 2011

the more i think about it, it'll probably be next spring before i teach her to swim. in kansas it starts getting cold around late september. she'll only be about 3 months old by then. i've never raised a puppy. i've only had cats all my life. the wife's dog, jack, was about 6 when i was introduced. anyway, i don't know if she'll be big enough to swim in time. we have a little kiddie pool in the back yard so i can atleast introduce her to water.

Cat Condos

· #16 · Jul 7, 2011

CuteStuff said:
AWH. If you ever put your puppy in a vest please take a picture. That is the cutest thing ever. A little sponge bob vest

Haha that would be really cute! A little pup with a vest in the water. Video would be great! Picture would be good to lol

YukonAndMax

· #17 · Jul 16, 2011

My Chow/Akita/GSD cross "Yukon" would not go near water when I tried to introduce him to the fun of water and swimming. Later I found out that pure bred Chow-Chow's actually can drawn because of their heavy and thick coat and for that reason do not care for swimming. Yukon had the most trades from the chow breed in him, anyone heard of this before?

VanillaRat

· #18 · Aug 23, 2011

Any updates??? I'd love to "meet" your puppy. I adore boxers.

tpolley

Discussion Starter · #19 · Aug 23, 2011

VanillaRat said:
Any updates??? I'd love to "meet" your puppy. I adore boxers.

here ya go. i have to coax her in with a treat. she doesn't go in voluntarily yet. she's still to nervous. we were taking her 3-4 times a week but we got busy with other stuff and havent taken her to the park in a week or so.

http://youtu.be/_ozJnxolN2k

this was a few weeks ago. i've been meaning to take more videos but it makes me nervous holding a $450 phone 2 feet above water. i need a lanyard or something.

Purple-Hops

· #20 · Aug 23, 2011

OMG she's SO cute!! Look at that lifevest

I love her ears!!

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