Not all dogs can swim: this is what you should know if you plan to take them to the beach

A visit to the beach is mandatory as of this month and, if there is no one to leave the dog with, the idea of ​​taking it as another tourist may be tempting.

For certain dogs, the beach is fascinating: it gives them ample space to run and play, exposes them to new smells and familiarizes them with the water. But the beach is not a good option for all dogs. There are breeds that cannot swim. The American Kennel Club lists the characteristics of these:

– Breeds with brachycephaly, that is, flat faces or extremely short snouts. They cannot get into the water because it easily enters their noses and puts them at risk of drowning.

– Breeds with large, barrel-shaped trunks. They have a hard time staying afloat.

– Breeds with long bodies and short legsfor the same reason.

– Dogs with long or thick fur they may have difficulty swimming, due to the weight of their wet hair.

– Breeds that cannot withstand the shock of cold water.

Here is the list of puppies that should not be near water without supervision:

• The bulldogEnglish or French, has the triple disadvantage of having a flat face, a barrel-shaped trunk, and short legs.

• The pug. They like to play in shallow water, but their flat faces make any body of water past their feet a challenge. They will tire soon trying to keep their heads above water.
• Bull terriers. Their short legs and low chest make it difficult for them to stay afloat.
• basset hound. Large head and short legs; but, in addition, there could be an infection if water enters the ear canal.
• Boxer shorts. These dogs are strong; but, again, their flat face puts them at the same risk as the pug. The effort of keeping their noses out of the water will tire them out quickly.
• corgis. Its long body, cylindrical chest, and short legs do best in shallow water.
• dachshunds. For the same reasons as corgis, and perhaps even little water can tire the legs of the daschundso keep a close eye on it.
• shih tzus. They have several drawbacks: a short snout, short legs, little body mass, and abundant hair, which is often worn very long and covers their faces. Also, they can catch cold if they spend a lot of time wet.
• chow chow. It also has a combination of a small muzzle, short legs, and a heavy mane which, when drenched, can drag it along.

How to know if our dog will have a good time by the sea?

That being said, your dog will benefit if you don’t neglect him and take advantage of time out of the water. If there is enough space and you are lucky enough to go on a slow day, you can run, play frisbee or catch a ball.

However, if there are other bathers and other dogs, take a walk on a leashexplore the shore and look for small treasures.

If your dog is a good swimmer, they can play catch in the water, but always close to the shore. If he is young and of a breed of average height and weight, teach him to swim, with the help of a life jacket.

Whatever you choose, always supervise your companion animals; be a responsible caregiver: do not allow him to chase other creatures, damage vegetation, chase or bark to people or other dogs. You don’t know how they will react.

And definitely don’t leave your dog’s waste on the beach, even if it’s buried. Like everywhere else, take a cover, pick up, and find a garbage collector.

Good behavior on the beach

For a day at the beach to go smoothly, your dog should have learned some rules of behavior.

Go with you just call him. If you are going to let your dog loose, even for a few minutes, it is because you are sure that when you call him, he will come running.; and that if he signals ‘no’ or ‘sit’ to him, he will obey. If your dog isn’t ready for that kind of freedom, he’ll either be on a leash all the time or not go to the beach.

“Leave it alone!” is another command that your dog should recognize and obey. means that he can’t eat something he found, he can’t chase an animal he saw in the sand or jump to reach someone’s food.

If your dog doesn’t like people and other pets, and is still in training, it may be better to choose less frequented places and times: a weekday, early morning, or evening.

Good behavior is also for you. Remember that Not all beaches allow the entry of pets, and others have rules. Investigate the place where you plan to go and look for the information signs or ask the site guards.

Be prepared to give your dog water and shade as soon as you see him overheated or tired. Again, try to use the first or last hours of the day to avoid heat stroke. Do not let him drink salt water or eat sand.

Be alert for animals that could harm your dog, especially if he is very curious. And avoid walking with him on hot sand: it can cause blisters. If the temperature rises, walk near the water’s edge.

If you still want to cool down your puppy in the hot months, but it is one of those breeds that it is better not to expose on the beach, the solution is simple: invest in a small inflatable poolthe kind used by children, and put little water, so that your dog can play and bathe without the dangers of the sea.

Extra security for small breed dogs

If your pup is on the list above or has one or more of those physical characteristics, or is very sensitive or nervous around any body of water, it’s important to keep him safe.

• If you have to go to a place with a river, lagoon, swimming pool or beach, have a life jacket for the size and weight of your dog, and wear it at all times. Preferably it has a handle on the back, so you can get it out of any mishap.
• If you have already approached the water, stay in the shallow end. Do not scold them if they get their feet wet or play, Don’t even force them into the water if they don’t want to. Stop them if the water level is above your head.
• The fences around the pools are good, but not foolproof. A ramp or steps will allow a dog that falls into the water to get out faster.

The best method of teaching a dog to swim, says the American Kernel Club, is to allow another dog to show you how. It must be a well-behaved and trained dog that gets along well with yours, and both owners must be present during the process. His puppy will learn by observation. (YO)