Have you ever wondered if your german shepherd likes water, or if they can even swim? While the answer to this question can be yes it can also be no. So can german shepherds swim and do german shepherds like water? Keep reading to find out as the answer isn’t as simple as it seems!
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Do German Shepherds Like Water?
Whether a german shepherd likes water or not really depends on the individual. Some german shepherds love it and others, while fearless in many other circumstances are terrified of water.
Maybe there was a past event in a german shepherds life that has made them hate water. But in a lot of cases, they may just be scared without any actual cause.
In general, due to their high levels of energy, most german shepherds tend to like water. However, if yours doesn’t, this is also perfectly natural and nothing to worry about.
Can German Shepherds Swim?
Once again, this depends on your german shepherd. Some can swim fine, some can stay afloat, but not swim properly. And unfortunately, some just can’t swim at all.
However, one thing is for certain, all german shepherds have the ability to swim. So if you’re german shepherd can’t swim yet. Don’t despair! Not only can they learn to swim, but in the process, they’ll also learn to love it.
(Find out whether huskies can swim!)
What Makes German Shepherd Such Good Swimmers?
While german shepherds weren’t bred to swim, they actually become pretty efficient swimmers once they’re confident. And there are a few reasons behind this.
They Have Long Legs
First of all, they have long legs. Dogs with long legs find it a lot easier to swim compared to dogs with short legs. With the extra muscle on their legs, they’re able to get more power in each stroke, which helps them to stay afloat as well as move around.
They Have Webbed Feet
Most people don’t know this but german shepherds have webbed feet. Webbed feet are another great characteristic of good swimmers. They act as a paddle, allowing your german shepherd’s paws to make up more surface area which means they’ll be able to swim easier.
(Find out more about a german shepherd’s webbed feet.)
They Have Long Snouts
You may be wondering why a long snout makes a dog a better swimmer. Well, it’s because it means they can breathe a lot better.
A problem with a lot of dogs such as pugs and French bulldogs is that they struggle to breathe. Their nasal passage isn’t big enough, and they simply can’t get enough air in.
German shepherds, however, don’t have this problem because their snout is nice and long, allowing them to get more than enough air.
They’re Naturally Lean
German shepherds are also naturally lean, strong dogs. Obviously, the more muscle they have the easier it’s going to be for them to swim.
They Have A Double Coat
Have you ever really tried to wash your german shepherd? If so you may have noticed how hard it is to get the water to penetrate their fur. This is because they have a double coat.
The double coat has two benefits. The outer coat acts as a water repellent, which means they can move through the water easily, while also not becoming too weighed down as their fur becomes wet and heavy.
The inner coat acts as insulation. It’s going to help keep your german shepherd’s body warmth in, so they’re not going to get too cold when they’re swimming.
(Has your german shepherd got a sensitive stomach? Find out what to do!)
So Why Aren’t They German Shepherds Natural Swimmers?
With all of these characteristics that can make german shepherds natural swimmers, why aren’t they? In fact, why do some german shepherds not like water?
Well, it’s simply because they haven’t been bred to swim. German shepherds have been bred as herders and guarders so it’s not in their nature to swim.
When you compare them to labradors that have been bred to retrieve, it becomes a lot more obvious why they aren’t natural swimmers.
How To Help Your German Shepherd Become A Swimmer
Realistically, there’s no real reason that your german shepherd needs to swim. However, it can still be good to teach them.
Here are a few things you can do to help your german shepherd become a great swimmer!
(Want to know whether border collies can swim.)
Don’t Throw Them In The Deep End
You’ve probably heard the saying before, but throwing your german shepherd in at the deep end may be the worst thing for them.
Instead, of trying to get them to go in the sea straight away, try to get them to go into a slow-flowing creek that has plenty of places for them to stand up.
And the moment they enter the water completely, praise them lots.
If you just force them into deep water then the chances are you’ll end up traumatizing them and they’ll be even more resistant to water.
Go In With Them
Nothing’s going to make your german shepherd more confident than when you enter the water with them.
Your german shepherd trusts you and if you’re in the water the chances are they’re going to be a lot more likely to jump in as well.
And once you’re both in the water, it’s also going to be a lot easier for you to make sure they’re swimming okay as well.
Buy Them A Life Vest
If your german shepherd isn’t a strong swimmer you can buy them a life vest to make sure they’re going to stay afloat.
These are great in the early days when they’re still learning to swim and you can often pick them up for a good price off Amazon.
If you’ve never let your dog swim before it’s probably a good idea to buy them a life vest first.
Try To Get Them In With Treats
Another great way to get your german shepherd to start swimming is by using toys and treats to get them into the water.
If your dog loves playing fetch, oftentimes they may begin swimming to get any toys that you’ve thrown in for them. You can also reward them with treats every time they go into the water. They’ll soon begin to associate water with a positive experience.
Once again, you can also go into the water, and if your dog is still reluctant to join you, offer them a treat to get them to come.
Give Them Lots Of Praise
You should always be giving your german shepherd lots of praise when they’re doing something positive. And this is especially true when you’re trying to get them to go into the water and start swimming.
No matter how small the steps may seem to you, make sure that you’re giving them lots of praise. The more you do this, the more they’ll begin to associate it with positive experiences and the more they’ll want to start swimming.
Start With A Paddling Pool
If your german shepherd is absolutely terrified of swimming then it can be a good idea to start with a paddling pool.
Get them to enter the pool before filling it with water. Get in with them and keep them in the pool with treats and toys. Once the pool is full, sit with them until they’re comfortable in it.
This mild form of introducing them to water is a great first step in getting them to swim.
(Have you noticed that your german shepherd smells? Find out why it happens and what to do!)
What Water Is Best For Your German Shepherd To Swim In – Chlorinated, Salt Or Fresh
When you’re letting your german shepherd swim, you need to take into consideration what type of water you want them to swim in.
In the beginning, freshwater is the water you should choose. When your german shepherd is learning to swim they may end up swallowing lots of water.
If they swallow too much freshwater nothing is going to happen. However, if they swallow too much salt or chlorinated water from swimming pools then they’ll become sick and most likely need to go to the vets.
Saltwater is probably the worst choice for a dog that can’t swim. As well as salt poisoning which can cause dehydration, seizures and brain swelling, the waves of the ocean are also going to make it harder for your german shepherd to swim.
This is also the reason you shouldn’t play fetch in chlorinated or salt water.
German Shepherd Water In The Ear
If you’re letting your german shepherd swim, you need to make sure they’re not going to get water in the ear.
It’s not likely to happen as your german shepherd can normally remove it by shaking their head or tilting their head.
However, in some cases, this isn’t possible and you’ll have to take them to the vets to get it removed.
The following symptoms will likely be present when your german shepherd has water in their ear:
- Trying to scratch their ear constantly.
- Rubbing their head along things and the ground.
- Discomfort when you touch the area.
- Making sounds of pain after swimming.
(Find out why your german shepherd drools and what to do about it!)
What To Be Cautious About When Letting Your German Shepherd Swim
When you’re german shepherd is swimming you should always keep an eye on them to make sure they’re alright. If you notice any of the following you should avoid letting your german shepherd swim.
Make Sure The Water Is Clean
Don’t let your german shepherd swim in water that seems polluted. If you notice lots of rubbish floating on the top of the water then it’s best to avoid. As well as rubbish and pollution check to make sure there’s no algae either.
It’s normally best to let them swim in flowing water as it’s less likely to be polluted or stagnant.
Don’t Let Your Dog Drink The Water
Even in freshwater its still best that you don’t let your dog drink the water. It can often be full of bacteria that will give them an upset stomach or make them sick.
If your dog is going to drink the water then take them somewhere the water is really clean and flowing well.
Don’t Let Them Spend Too Long In Chlorinated Pools
Even if your dog does drink the water in chlorinated pools you still shouldn’t let them spend too long in there. Chlorine will begin to irritate and hurt their eyes over time as they’re a lot more sensitive than ours.
Check To Make Sure It’s Safe
Lastly, check to make sure the area your dog is swimming in is safe. If it’s by the sea and it’s too rough, it may be best to avoid it. Likewise, freshwater that has strong currents may not be the best idea either.
And look for any objects that could cause damage to your dog when they’re swimming or if they’re jumping in.
Interested In Training Your German Shepherd The Right Way?
If you haven’t trained your German Shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
The training program I love and highly recommend is Brain Training For Dogs.
With Brain Training For Dogs you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases it’s still going to be:
- Cheaper than hiring a professional.
- Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
- And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your German Shepherd completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior, or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here, to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
Recap
So as it turns out some german shepherds like water and to swim, while others don’t. But fortunately, with enough care, training, and love you can help your german shepherd love water if they don’t already!
Here are a few of the main things to remember from this article.
- Some german shepherds can swim great, some okay, and some not at all.
- German shepherds make good swimmers because they have long legs, webbed feet, long snouts, a double coat, and they’re naturally lean.
- If you want to get your german shepherd to learn how to swim, it can help to go with them, buy them a life vest, get them in the water with treats, give them lots of praise, start with a paddling pool and make sure you don’t throw them in the deep end.
- When you’re first teaching your german shepherd freshwater is the best choice to learn in.
- Make sure your german shepherd doesn’t get water stuck in their ear, and if they do, take them to the vets.
- When taking your german shepherd for a swim make sure the water is clean, they don’t drink it, they don’t spend too much time in chlorinated pools and that the area they’re swimming in is safe.
If you follow the information above you’re going to have a german shepherd that loves to swim! If you have any more questions leave them in the comments below, otherwise, have a great day.
