Swimmers???
- Thread starter redneckgirl
- Start date
A blue heeler (Australian cattle dog) loves to swim, but like all dogs, you have to introduce it to water as young as possible. A fear of water is something that you will never change when it is older. Oh yeah, especially with salt water. I had a Germ shep that loved to swim in fresh water, in her first experience with salt water she drank about a litre and didn´t want anything more to do with it
It just depends on the dog as an individual. I own 3 Newfoundland dogs and not one of them will or can swim. They will wade and avoid water at any possible risk 
I live by the ocean, and we walk by lakes and brooks daily, so they have ample opportunity. My Rottweiler loves to swim.
I have also met many Lab's that will not swim. I know of one man who owns a Doberman who swims daily with his dog, Dobes are not normally water dogs,but, I would certainly rather see that dog rather than any Newf's around here if I were drowning! I have a friend who has 9 Newf's and not one of them can swim either.
I live by the ocean, and we walk by lakes and brooks daily, so they have ample opportunity. My Rottweiler loves to swim.I have also met many Lab's that will not swim. I know of one man who owns a Doberman who swims daily with his dog, Dobes are not normally water dogs,but, I would certainly rather see that dog rather than any Newf's around here if I were drowning!
I have a friend who has 9 Newf's and not one of them can swim either.I have a newfie cross and from everything I've read about them they need to be introduced to the water properly. It's not natural in all of them but if you get in there with them and teach them how to swim (the hesitant ones) most of them will love it. I read a book about the breed. Regardless, Maverick loves the water and can't get enough of it. Although with his new haircut it might be a bit cold in the river right now!
All my dogs love to swim except the corgi! The husky is usually the first one in and then the dobe does bunny hops out into the river untill he just goes under. I've always had mine in the water since they were little so otherwise I don't think any of them would like it. The dobe just doesn't like waves,I think they confuse him!
I'm hoping with our doggy trip this summer that Chip will learn to enjoy the water. With Hunter loving it so... I plan to take one of those weiner floats and then slowly get him to come to me.... I've never been in the water with him beyond knee high. Hopefully, he will enjoy by the 5th water day...if not, I love him anyway !!!
Grammy, I read that (some) newfies are taught by you going into the water with them and when they have to swim you sort of scoop up their bum with your arm and stay with them, holding them up until they get the idea. I guess they don't get so freaked out that way. I don't know. Maverick always went in the water. He didn't swim at first but he got braved and braver...
A few of my Huskies absolutly love the water and dive into my pond every chance they get in the summer. All the others would rather have their toe nails clipped lol. Most of my Chins enjoy the water. Zeus though he hates a bath love to wade in murky mucky pond water lol. My other pitbull Tundra could care less she will swim but it is'nt really her thing and she along swims a bit to cool off then jumps out. Babe my thrid pitbull I have yet to really get her into the pond im almost afraid to with her pretty white coat lol but she does enjoy laying and I mean LAYING down in the kiddy pool i have for the dogs and lapping up water she will lay there for hours on end if i let her. She also enjoys the hose sprayed on her. My friend Jamie has an Akita Buzz who avoids the water at all costs and I have yet to see a Akita who did enjoy the water. Our once feral stray Maxis is still far to timid to even introduce him to swimming though im sure he has in his days in the wild. We have yet to even give him a bath trying not to freak him out.
Standard poodles & Portuguese water dogs generally love the water. Many different spaniels, Chesapeake Bay retrievers (altho they aren't the breed for everyone). Out of all the dogs I have had over the years the only ones who were water-phobic were the Great Danes.
The key to most dogs is a low-keyed, gradual introduction. The first year they may not do much actual swimming but with patience and plenty of opportunity most will. Making it a big time fun event with toys and laughter I have found also helps alot.
The key to most dogs is a low-keyed, gradual introduction. The first year they may not do much actual swimming but with patience and plenty of opportunity most will. Making it a big time fun event with toys and laughter I have found also helps alot.
Saje, I just wanted to explain to you that with my Newfoundland dogs not being able to swim has nothing to do with their not being introduced to water properly. These dogs are bred for the show ring, not for proper behavior conformation, the conformation of my dogs is completely wrong for swimming. These dogs are big, poofy and are being bred more for being pretty rather than being proper for their job. My dogs with the conformation they have would most likely drown from the excess coat.
I have had Newf's in the past (a few years ago), which I used to partake in water rescue with, we had fun with it. I have owned Newfoundland dogs for the past 25 years and I have found a big difference in the way they are being bred.
Just by reading a book on dog breeds is in no way a true reference to the breed. Some breeds the breed clubs try to continue breeding for behavioral conformation, where some other breed clubs are breeding only for a fantasy pretty conformation...whatever is winning in the show rings. Unfortunately the Newfoundland dog breed is suffering right now, unless you get a Newf from someone who is still breeding for the proper conformation the chances of your getting a Newf that cannot swim is pretty high.
For myself, my rescues and mongrels have been my best swimming buddies. I would suggest anyone wanting a good swimming companion to go to your local rescue and get a retriever mix, poodle mix or a Newf mix.
I have had Newf's in the past (a few years ago), which I used to partake in water rescue with, we had fun with it. I have owned Newfoundland dogs for the past 25 years and I have found a big difference in the way they are being bred.
Just by reading a book on dog breeds is in no way a true reference to the breed. Some breeds the breed clubs try to continue breeding for behavioral conformation, where some other breed clubs are breeding only for a fantasy pretty conformation...whatever is winning in the show rings. Unfortunately the Newfoundland dog breed is suffering right now, unless you get a Newf from someone who is still breeding for the proper conformation the chances of your getting a Newf that cannot swim is pretty high.
For myself, my rescues and mongrels have been my best swimming buddies. I would suggest anyone wanting a good swimming companion to go to your local rescue and get a retriever mix, poodle mix or a Newf mix.
