Labrador Retriever
With their dense, insulating double coats, Labrador Retrievers can swim in cold water for the time it takes to retrieve waterfowl on the hunt. They are descendants of the now-extinct St. John's Water Dog, a working breed that aided fishermen in the icy waters off Newfoundland.
From these dogs, and other ancestors after British breeders first tried to standardise the Labrador breed, Labs inherited some traits that make them great swimmers. They have a thick, double coat that is water resistant and protects them against the chill of swimming in natural rivers and ponds.
Labradors are an incredibly active animal, due in large part who their ancestors where. As mentioned before, Labradors trace their history to Newfoundland, where fishermen used St. John's Water Dogs to haul fishing nets, loglines, retrieve seals and catch other game in the cold waters of the North Atlantic.
Breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Chesapeake Retrievers, Portuguese Water Dogs, Irish Water Spaniels and others were bred for saltwater swimming, so their coats are naturally oily and can resist absorbing the saltwater as much.
“They can tow a boat—they're very strong swimmers," he added. The dogs are training with the American Academy of Canine Water Rescue, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that helps water-loving dog breeds, like Newfoundlands and Labrador retrievers, enhance their natural instincts to rescue people.
While some dogs, like the ones mentioned before, are natural-born swimmers, others are just not able to excel in the water due to their biology. Bulldogs and Dachshunds, for instance, often don't have the physical build to keep themselves afloat, and will likely need extra help with a floatation device.
If the sea looks dangerous, don't let your dog swim – if the waves are very big, or you know that the tide is turning, it's not suitable for your pup. Don't let your pup swim in the sea if it's very cold – dogs can struggle when swimming in very cold water! Don't forget to check the tide!
#1 Greyhound
Taking the top honor for the fastest dog is the Greyhound! They are spectacularly good movers and their tall stature makes for a beautiful picture as they speed by at 45 mph.
#2. Saluki. Salukis are sight hunters, using their sharp vision to spot prey from great distances, and relying on their extraordinary speed to hunt down small prey. While not acknowledged as the quickest dog over short distances, it is believed that the saluki is capable of faster speeds over long distances.
Greyhound. Originally bred to be hunting dogs, Greyhounds are widely accepted to be the fastest dog breed. For decades, Greyhounds have been used in dog racing. A highly energetic breed, it comes as no surprise that their legs can carry them as fast as 45 miles per hour.
Sea Lions- the dogs of the ocean.
It's Stress-Relieving
Not only is swimming great for your dog's physical health, it also improves their mental wellbeing.
Dogs who take frequent dips in the family pool may suffer from dry, itchy skin and a dry, dull coat because the chemicals in pool water strip the skin and coat of their natural oils. Chlorinated water may also have a slight bleaching effect on dark coats, and could even turn lighter coats (gasp!) greenish.
“When dogs choose to go swimming, they are in control of themselves, and no one is handling them. So it's completely different things — it's not simply being wet,” Levine tells The Dodo. “There's fun with swimming, versus a bath, where they're being put in a situation and having water dumped all over them.”
The resistance of water makes your dog work harder to swim than he has to work on land to walk or run. He will show improved muscular strength and tone, while working the cardio-vascular and respiratory systems, without the impact of concussive exercise on land and the associated damage that it may cause.
Let your dog get used to simply having wet feet. Don't move out of the shallows until your dog seems happy where they are. Encourage gradual movement into deeper water, and use lots of praise and positive reinforcement – if you reward your dog for being in the water, your dog wants to go in the water again.
Swimmers syndrome, also known as swimming-puppy syndrome, flat-puppy syndrome, swimmer puppy syndrome, flat-pup syndrome, twisted legs, or turtle pup, is an uncommon developmental deformity of newborn dogs and cats whereby the limbs, primarily the hind limbs, are splayed laterally resulting in an inability to stand or ...
Unsurprisingly, dogs and salt water don't mix. Sea water contains lots of salt, and if your dog drinks too much they can quickly become dehydrated. When a dog ingests excessive amounts of salt, their body will try and correct the imbalance.
Like pool water, saltwater can negatively affect your dog's skin and fur, often drying your dog out and creating irritations. The sun exposure and amplified heat that comes with spending the day at the beach can also increase the risk of skin dryness and overall dehydration in dogs.
Because the water lacks chloramines, saltwater pool water keeps hair more protected. However, still make sure to rinse your pet well with water after swimming.