July 9, 2008

Pet Water Safety -- Not Every Dog Can Dog-Paddle

Does your pet know how to swim? Of course, you might answer--all dogs know how to swim. Not so, says MSNBC, Of pooches and pools -- teaching your dog to swim:

Diamond confirmed that some dogs are born swimmers. It's a good bet if the dog's breed includes the word "water," as in Portuguese or English water spaniel, it takes to swimming like a nursery-schooler takes to finger-painting. For owners of those breeds, the problem isn't getting the dog into the water, but keeping it on dry land. But other breeds aren't as water-friendly. Some dogs have to be taught to swim, Diamond said, and others, like bulldogs, take to the water like submarines take to the Cross Bronx Expressway. For the former, there is hope. For the latter, there are those bright orange canine flotation devices.
Among the dogs that swim naturally and gladly, she said, are water spaniels, setters, retrievers, Barbets, akitas, Kerry blue terriers, poodles and Hungarian pulis.

Among those that can't swim at all or swim only with great difficulty are basset hounds, bulldogs, dachshunds, pugs, corgis, Scottish and Boston terriers and greyhounds.

To be on the safe side, fit your pet with a Life Jacket (Amazon has a supply), especially out in the open water. If your dog swims in a pool or off the boat, a Skamper Ramp is a great help to get him/her out of the pool. Also worth strong consideration is a Pool Safety Alarm.

Read More in: Dogs | Ramps & Steps | Summer | Training