Some dogs will take any chance to plunge themselves into water, no matter how dirty, cold, deep or shallow! This can be all part of the fun of being a pet owner, even if it does mean more work getting them dry and respectable looking afterwards. Playful pooches use water to cool off when they are too hot, exercise, and simply to show off their skills!
Being in water for dogs can also serve a more serious purpose: canine hydrotherapy can help them to recover from surgery, injuries, and relieve pain. It allows the dog to take non-weight bearing exercise, which can help to relax tense muscles, improve strength, maintain a range of joint movement, manage weight and slow the progression of disease.
If your dog does need hydrotherapy, chances are he or she will enjoy the process and it will boost their mental as well as physical health. But why do most dogs love water? Here’s a quick look!
Some dogs are built for swimming
Some dogs have been specifically bred for swimming, so they could act as working dogs to retrieve prey during hunting sessions, or assist with military or police operations. These breeds will typically have longer legs, evenly distributed body weight, large tails for support and direction control, and webbed feet. Good examples include labradors and retrievers.
…but not all dogs
Some dogs don’t have a natural physique for swimming, and may take a little while to get used to being in the water. Generally, smaller breeds, or those with flat faces such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers are less adept at swimming. However, they can still learn to swim with the aid of a buoyancy jacket.
Dogs’ love of water also depends on their early experiences: if they have been introduced to water as a pup, they are more likely to be confident and happy swimmers.