It is no secret that some dogs are real 'water rats'. Not only are some dog breeds specially bred to hunt ducks and other waterfowl in the water, swimming is also a wonderful way to cool off and play. But did you know that some dog breeds have special characteristics related to water? We have listed 8 fun and insightful swimming facts about dogs:
Whereas most mammals have muscular hindquarters (which makes the hindquarters proportionally heavy), the corgi's hindquarters consist of about 80% fat, which floats well on water. In addition, corgis have a thick, double coat that facilitates floating. Despite the fact that corgis stay afloat and love water, they are not strong swimmers due to their relatively short legs. Therefore, preferably let them play in shallow water or put on a life jacket.
Many dogs bred to hunt or work in water have webbed paws. These include golden retrievers, newfoundlanders, Portuguese water dogs and Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers. The webbed paws have a bigger surface than 'regular' dog paws, allowing them to swim easier and faster. The webbed paws also provide more grip on slippery or muddy surfaces.
Most water dogs were bred to help during hunting, for example by retrieving prey from the water. But some breeds, such as the newfoundlander, were originally bred to rescue fishermen who went overboard. The newfoundlander is a large and strong dog, a good swimmer and has a brave and gentle nature. This breed is still used, along with Leonbergers, by coast guards and rescue workers.
For older dogs or dogs with osteoarthritis complaints, swimming can be a good way to keep moving. While swimming, the dog uses all its muscles without putting strain on the joints. This keeps the dog's muscles in shape and maintains its condition.
A double coat consists of an underlayer of soft hair and an upper layer of coarse hair. The undercoat is often quite dense and consists of shorter, soft hairs. This coat has an insulating effect, keeping the dog warm in winter and cool in summer. The topcoat often consists of longer, coarser hairs (guard hairs), which are usually water and dirt repellent. A water repellent coat helps dogs stay warm and relatively dry, even after a long swim or playing in the water.
When dogs swim, they pretty much all do it in the same way: they 'paddle' through the water with their front and back legs, always moving one front leg and one back leg through the water at the same time and always alternating. The 'dog paddle' for humans uses the arms and hands the same way dogs use the front legs, while moving the legs up and down.
Perhaps you thought that all dogs can swim. Yet there are some breeds that cannot swim, often due to the shape of the body. Dogs with a flat head and/or a very short snout, such as pugs and French bulldogs, often have trouble breathing and quickly get water up their nose, increasing the risk of drowning. Dogs with short legs and a long body, such as dachshunds, corgis and basset hounds get tired quickly while swimming, which can make it difficult for them to keep staying afloat. Dogs with large and round bodies, such as bulldogs, pit bulls and boxers, also have a hard time staying afloat.
There is even a world championship, the World Dog Surfing Championships in the San Francisco Bay Area! Whether a dog can learn to surf has less to do with the breed and more to do with how comfortable a dog is in the water and if they can keep their balance on a surfboard. And, of course, most importantly, whether the dog enjoys doing it!
