Do you love spending time out on the water? So do the furry friends in today’s top 10 list. Whether you’re spending the day catching some fish, taking a quick dip, or simply enjoying some time on the beach, these dog breeds that love water will gladly keep you company.
There’s only one thing that beats a day cooling off and getting wet and that’s doing it with your furry BFF. Interested in learning which breeds are the most likely to dive right in with you? Keep reading to find out more.
10 Dogs That Love Water
- Labrador Retriever
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- Newfoundland
- Poodle
- Portuguese Water Dog
- English Setter
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Irish Setter
- Golden Retriever
- Boykin Spaniel
1. Labrador Retriever
As their name might suggest, this dog breed was originally used to retrieve game from water. For this reason, it should be no surprise that these guys don’t have a problem jumping right in. In fact, they tend to really enjoy it! They make strong swimmers that can spend hours fetching one of their favorite toys while splashing around and having a blast.
2. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
This breed is quite similar to the Labrador Retriever when it comes to both their appearance and their love for water. However, if you look closely, you’ll notice that Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have a wavy coat and they also tend to be a bit larger. This breed tends to be excellent swimmers that take advantage of every chance they get to spend some time in the water.
3. Newfoundland
Incredible strength, as well as a large size, are just two of the reasons why Newfoundlands make incredible swimmers. Their history can be traced back to Canada where they were commonly used as water rescue dogs. So, not only does this breed love a good swim, there’s likely a hero somewhere in their family line as well.
4. Poodle
You might think when looking at a Poodle that the last thing they would want to do is get those beautiful curls wet. In reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth. This breed was originally used to retrieve waterfowl and their long history of getting wet certainly shows. While Poodles aren’t commonly used as retrievers any longer, they still make excellent swimmers that enjoy the water.
5. Portuguese Water Dog
If you like to learn about interesting facts from the past, you’re surely going to love what you’re about to learn about this breed. They originate from Portuguese. However, that’s not the interesting part. Believe it or not, they were used as fishing dogs that would herd fish into nets. On top of that, they also retrieved broken and old nets as well as tackle. They certainly made the day easier for the fisherman that worked with them.
6. English Setter
You’ll have a hard time keeping an English Setter out of a pool, lake, puddle, or any other body of water. This breed tends to enjoy time spent getting wet more than they enjoy being dry. You probably wouldn’t be surprised to learn that this is yet another breed with a long history of retrieving game from water.
7. Irish Water Spaniel
With a name that literally has the word “water” in it, it should be pretty obvious why this dog made our list. These dogs simply love spending time in water. They have a double coat that’s beautiful and also acts as an insulator. It’s not uncommon to see one of these furry friends splashing around and enjoying a swim, even on a cold day.
8. Irish Setter
Irish Setters are not only gorgeous, they’re incredibly smart and well behaved as well. Plus, you guessed it, they love water! Their love for the water is the result of taking some of the best water dogs and combining them together. The Irish Setter is a mix between an English Setter, Irish Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, and a bit of Pointer. This mix creates a real fun-loving dog that’s borderline amphibious.
9. Golden Retriever
One thing that sets the Golden Retriever apart from the other dogs on this list is their popularity as the perfect family dog. Add in the fact that they love to spend time in the water, and you’ve got yourself the ultimate dog for a family that enjoys splashing around with a furry companion.
10. Boykin Spaniel
This medium-sized breed has certainly made a name for itself in the hunting world for being an incredible retriever. They’ll never hesitate when it comes to taking a dip. However, companionship for hunters isn’t the only thing this breed has to offer. They also make a great family dog thanks to their eagerness to please, loyal personality, and easy trainability.
The number of breeds that love water is almost limitless. It’s important to keep in mind that all dogs are different. While a certain breed may be on this list, that doesn’t particularly mean each individual dog in that breed will want to jump in and get wet the first time they see water. However, if you’re looking for a furry friend that will enjoy the occasional swim with you, the breeds on this list are a great place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all dogs love water?
While most dogs simply love water, there are others that prefer to stay away from it and some that are actually afraid of it. The good news is that there are ways to help your furry friend become more comfortable around water and even start to enjoy the occasional swim.
Why do dogs love water so much?
Simply put, they enjoy spending time splashing around in the water and cooling off on a hot day the same way humans do. That’s not the only reason though. Swimming is actually a great low impact form of exercise for dogs that promotes heart and lung health.
What breeds of dogs hate water?
The top 5 dogs that usually stay as far away from water as possible are Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, Pugs, and Pekingeses. As you can see, most dogs that prefer to stay dry are smaller breeds that get cold easily and have high maintenance coats.
How do you get a dog to like water?
Patience is the biggest factor in getting your fur baby to like water. You’ll want to go slow and steady so that you don’t make them afraid of it. Start by standing with them next to a kiddie pool. Take a favorite toy or a tasty treat into the pool with you and then gently try to call them in. Make sure you reward any attempt to move toward the water with a lot of praise as well as a reward. Keep repeating this until they become comfortable.
Do you need to teach a dog to swim?
Dogs tend to be great natural swimmers, but this isn’t always the case. You’ll want to make sure your furry friend has the basics of swimming down before leaving them around a pool or taking them to a large body of water such as a lake or river.
How do you teach a dog to swim?
Teaching dogs to swim is a lot like teaching humans to swim. You’ll want to start in shallow water and then gradually work your way deeper and deeper until your fur baby can no longer touch the ground. Next, put your arm underneath them and support them as they begin to paddle. Keep an eye on them and make sure they feel comfortable and confident. Then, slowly take your arm out from underneath them and stay close by to ensure they have nailed the basics.
At what age should you teach a dog to swim?
In most cases, the earlier the better. It is safe to start teaching dogs to swim between the ages of 2-5 months. However, older dogs can be taught to swim as well, but dogs that haven’t had a lot of experience around water may need some coaching before they are ready to jump in.
Is it OK to let your dog swim in your pool?
In most cases, it is perfectly safe for a dog to swim in a pool as long as they have been taught where the stairs are so they can get back out. Chlorine can become an issue and cause skin irritation. To avoid this problem, simply rinse your four-legged friend off with clean water after they take a dip or treat your pool with a non-chlorine cleaner.
Is it safe for dogs to swim in lakes?
Typically speaking, it’s perfectly fine for a dog to swim in a lake as long as they are an experienced and strong swimmer that is confident in their swimming abilities. However, in large bodies of water, it is best to play it safe by putting a life jacket on your fur baby. Even though dogs are commonly thought of as great natural swimmers, they are still capable of drowning.
