Why These Dog Breeds Can’t Swim
All dogs are generally considered excellent swimmers; however, certain breeds are built differently! While the majority of dog breeds have long faces with boop-able noses on the end of them, the shorter, rounder varieties have noses that are pushed in like a snout! Dogs with flat or short snouts are called brachycephalic breeds; they cannot swim because too much water is forced into their small nasal canals. Due to their increased danger of drowning, brachycephalic dog breeds should never be left alone near water. Keep reading to learn more about each breed and the physical characteristics that limit their swimming abilities!
Bulldog
Known for their iconic short, stubborn bodies, it’s no surprise Bulldogs cannot swim! Their dense stature and short legs, combined with the snout, create the ultimate non-swimmer canine! However, bulldogs enjoy wading in the water on hot days; pet parents should maintain the water to no higher than their elbows and not leave them unsupervised, or they could drown. A kiddie pool for your bulldog to cool down is highly encouraged, as they can quickly overheat from exercise or warm temperatures.
Basset Hound
While the floppy ears could help them fly, they don’t double as life jackets! Basset Hounds are composed of dense, thick bones, short legs, and a large head, a recipe for water disaster. The big ears are also susceptible to ear infections, another reason why they should avoid water.
Boxer
While they may have the bodies of athletic dogs, Boxer’s short snouts prevent them from being good swimmers. Brachycephalic breeds cannot keep their snouts above water long enough for a breath; on the other hand, boxers prefer playing with water from the hose! Pet parents can still cool off their hot boxers with a lovely spray from the hose, even make a game of it!
Corgi
Composed of a barrel body, short legs, and a giant head, no surprise the Corgi cannot swim either! Those little legs cannot carry their heavy bodies, so if you’re taking your Corgi on a beach trip, pack some life vests for them. Like Bulldogs, pet parents are encouraged to use low-water kiddie pools as an alternative to cooling off Fido after a long walk!
Pug
Like their similar brachycephalic breeds, pugs cannot swim but enjoy wading in the water! Pugs feature those flat faces that cannot hold themselves up, so it’s best to monitor your furry friend around open water or pools. This breed can easily get overheated from warm or humid temperatures, so limit their outside time to small increments.
Check out these related blog posts for more dog facts!
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