Testimonials
The summer months are the best time to enjoy the outdoors, beaches, lakes, rivers and any other body of water to keep all of us cool, including our English Bulldog puppies. But keeping your pup safe in the water is a big concern. Follow these simple tips to make sure every swim is an enjoyable one!
There is a big misconception that every dog knows how to swim and is naturally good at it. Many breeds such as the Labrador Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, English and Irish Setters, and Newfoundlands were all bred to swim. They have webbed toes and naturally love the water. You’d be hard pressed to find a dog in these breeds that doesn’t love to swim. Other breeds, such as English Bulldog puppies, Corgis and Pugs, were not bred for the water and most do not have that natural attraction to dive in and swim the day away. That doesn’t mean they can learn to love it!
English Bulldog puppies are built very stock with short legs. This is not an optimal build for a great swimmer. However, if you slowly introduce your puppy to water at a young age and do not force him into anything he doesn’t want to do, he can learn to love the water.
You can teach your English Bulldog puppy to swim by helping to hold up his back end while he paddles. This will allow him to feel how he is to hold his body and make swimming easier and more enjoyable for him. Be careful to keep an eye on him, even after he learns to swim. Dogs can easily tire out while swimming but not want to stop. Make sure your puppy is able to take a rest every few minutes to refuel and not get too exhausted, especially in hot weather.
One way to keep your English Bulldog puppy safe while swimming or boating is to fashion him with a life jacket made for dogs. These help to keep your dog afloat more easily and allow your pup to not exert as much energy. Many of them also have a handle on the top so you can simply scoop your pup out of the water, if need be.
Wherever you go swimming with your English Bulldog puppy this summer, remember that the water is not the only danger. Jelly fish, sharp glass, shells, fishing hooks and other items can cause injuries to your puppy’s paws and ruin the entire day. Make sure you’re familiar with the area you’ll be visiting so that there are no unexpected surprises!
