Doggy paddle, anyone? 7 dog breeds that love to swim

Some dogs like water, some dogs hate water and then there are some dogs that live for the water! These natural-born swimmers see a lake, a stream, a puddle—any water—and they can’t help but dive right in!

 

Although any dog can develop a love of the doggy paddle, these seven breeds have their water ways practically written in their genes: 

• Chesapeake Bay retriever. Considering they were bred to withstand the frigid waters of the Chesapeake Bay, your local lake or backyard pool will seem like a dream.
• Labrador retriever. These popular family dogs haven’t forgotten their roots as waterfowl retrievers and would happily spend the day splashing in the water with their favorite kiddos.
• Portuguese water dog. The name says it all! You’ve got to love water when you were bred to be a fisherman’s best friend.
• Newfoundland. Just because these gentle giants were designed for water rescues doesn’t mean that they can’t frolic in the water just for fun of it!
• Flat-coated retriever. Even when there is no duck to hunt, water is this dog’s happy place.
• Curly-coated retriever. Another retriever?? Makes sense, really. Diving into water is just what they do.
• Lagotto Romagnolo. Long before these curly cuties were hunting truffles, they were hunting waterfowl, and their love of water has never gone away.
• Standard poodle. Surprised? Originally duck hunters, poodles get their name from the German word “pudelin,” which refers to splashing about.

Keep your dog’s ears clean and dry after a swim with the help of these veterinarian-approved ear cleaners. >>