5 Summertime Pool Safety Tips for Your Dog

By Paige Cerulli

Swimming is challenging for certain breeds. Sighthounds, like Whippets and Greyhounds, have heavily muscled rear ends and very little body fat, so they’re not buoyant. Brachiocephalic breeds, such as Pugs, Shih Tzus, and French Bulldogs, have flat faces and short legs that aren’t ideal for swimming. Dr. Osborne recommends that you have your vet evaluate your dog and clear him to go swimming.

Once your pet is approved to swim, you can gradually introduce him to the pool. Holistic veterinarian Dr. Gary Richter, MS, DVM, founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition, recommends that you approach teaching your dog to swim in the same way that you’d teach a child to swim: “It’s easiest to acclimate your dog to water and swimming when they’re puppies because they’re not as afraid as adult dogs. Just like kids who learned to swim when they were young, it becomes second nature with dogs.”