Ever imagine your dog running through the ocean waves or swimming alongside you on a hot summer day? You may be in luck. Certain breeds are natural born swimmers. Take a look and see if your pup is ready to get his paws wet.
Golden Retrievers The quintessential water-friendly breed is the Golden Retriever. Early retrievers were crossbred with water spaniels to create the Golden Retriever, which means the breed’s skill for swimming is a biological trait descended down through its ancestry. They’re so suited to water; they even have water-repellent coats!
Irish Water Spaniels Irish Water Spaniels are one of the most intelligent breeds in the world. The tallest of spaniels, these spunky and lively dogs have curly ringlets, which help form a naturally water-repellent coat. Irish Water Spaniels were trained to hunt for waterfowl, though they enjoy being pets and show dogs, too.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers These retrievers are the smallest of their kind, but they sure don’t act small! They’re playful, energetic, and exceptionally fast swimmers. They have double coats that naturally repel water, helping them hunt, lure, and retrieve ducks and other waterfowl.
Portuguese Water Hounds Originally from Algarve, Portugal, the Portuguese Water Hound is quite hard to find as they are a rare breed. These hardworking dogs were given the task of herding fish into nets and then taking them to the shore. The most famous Portuguese Water Hound is our first dog, Bo Obama, son of First Lady and President Barack Obama.
Labrador Retrievers It’s no surprise that Labrador Retrievers adore water, since they are descendants of St. John’s Water Dogs. They used to help fishermen carry anything from ropes to fishing nets. They’re also very loyal, which makes them excellent companions. Labradors are well loved, ranking as the #1 breed in America, and are routinely used for water rescue missions.
Spanish Water Dogs Spanish Water dogs are energetic, intelligent, and agile, as they can do anything from hunting to herding. They can be taught a great number of skills, but what they love to do best is engage in water sports.
Newfoundlands These large dogs were bred to haul fishnets and heavy equipment from the water to the shore. “Newfies” have long coats that are thick, oily and waterproof, making them well-suited for swimming. Plus, their huge lung capacity is an advantage when it comes to swimming long distances.
Poodles Despite being fluffy and “prissy,” standard poodles are actually excellent gundogs. They’re considered working dogs in the same category as retrievers. Those flamboyant (and sometimes ridiculous) hairdos? Their fur is designed to protect the joints when they dive into cold water. They’re also intelligent and hypoallergenic, making them great family pets.
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers This large breed is believed to have been sired by two Newfoundlands several generations ago, then crossed with other breeds. Chessies have water-repellent wavy double coats and webbed toes to help them swim! Chessies are intelligent, protective, and very loyal.
English Setters These setters might look a bit unusual with their speckled or mottled coats, but English Setters are intelligent, sensitive dogs who love the water. Their “belton” coats have many recognized combinations, such as white and black, white and orange, and even some with a tricolor belton of white, black and tan.
Move over Michael Phelps, these aquatic pooches are ready to dive in headfirst!
We at PuppySpot believe that good health is a crucial part of responsible breeding, and a puppy’s good health begins with healthy parents. That is why we partner with the American Kennel Club to host health clinics to examine adult breeding dogs. The clinics are set up all round the U.S. and encourage breeders to … Continue reading PuppySpot & AKC Host Health Clinics for Adult Breeding Dogs→
We all want the best for our pets, and one way to ensure that your pets are healthy, happy, and safe is to keep an eye on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recall list.
Whether flying in-cabin as carry-on or flying in cargo, we’ve outlined the key steps you can take for safely and responsibly flying your dog. Follow these tips and feel good about bringing your pup on that next vacation.
Another magical wish moment with Make-A-Wish New Jersey! As more and more children wish for the companionship of a four-legged family member, PuppySpot has become a mission critical service provider for the various chapters of Make-A-Wish. Helping deliver joy to these children is something we are grateful to take part in. This time, the wish … Continue reading A Wonderful Winter Wish Granted!→
It is always a pleasure working with the various chapters of Make-A-Wish®. Their wish managers and volunteers work hard to ensure the wishes of thousands of children are granted each year. Recently, Make-A-Wish has experienced quite an uptick in puppy wishes; that is where PuppySpot comes in! Thanks to a bit of coordination between Make-A-Wish … Continue reading Puppy Brings Joy to Mid-Atlantic Wish Child→
PuppySpot continues to work with the various chapters of Make-A-Wish to help grant puppy wishes for children with critical illnesses. Our first puppy wish of the year was granted with Make-A-Wish Central & Northern Florida. When they reached out to us, the chapter was working on a puppy wish for four-year-old Daniel, a resilient little … Continue reading A Special Surprise for Jacksonville Wish Child→
This year has brought on numerous challenges to many families. It will be a year many of us won’t soon forget. Now, it is time to put this year to rest. With 2021 comes a sense of hope, and that is what two Make-A-Wish families received just in time to bring in the new year. … Continue reading Double Wish Granting Brings Hope into 2021→