Bulldogs can't swim....true?

[Scooter]

Someone told me today that bulldogs are the one breed who can't swim because of their body type and short legs. Is this true?

 

[Laurelin]

I don't know about bulldogs, but I had a sheltie that couldn't swim at all. He'd just sink...

 

[Xandra]

Ha! See, that nose is good for something! It's like a snorkel
But, I bet there are lots that won't/can't.

I know the first time I threw Roman's ball into the water he ran in, and without so much as attempting to float, he just kind of... ran underwater lol. At which point he realized he couldn't breathe and turned around lol. It was funny. Took him a while to get the whole legs-must-move-to-keep-afloat.

 

[Maura]

A dog is more bouyant in water. The water holds you up. In fact, if you stop stroking and kicking you won't sink more than a couple of inches below the water's surface, if that much. For those who shouldn't be working their joints too hard, swimming is considered the best exercise. The photo above shows that an English bulldog can swim. Some dogs take a while to figure it out, but they can swim if they just stop worrying about it. I've had two dogs who were afraid of water, but learned to swim.

 

[Fran101]

Ive met an English bulldog who sank like a rock

and one who could swim..well, atleast flail his limbs around for a little bit and stay afloat

 

[Tazwell]

Oddly enough, I've known 3 bulldogs that have drown. One was my mom's friend's dog, who fell in the pool. Another was a bulldog puppy with the same scenario. The last one was a bulldog that ran across the street in front of my car after being frightened by fireworks, and he fell into the river. I ran after him and tried to save him, but he drowned before I could find a way to get to him.

So yes, I do believe that on some level

 

[Romy]

Maybe it's not as natural to them as other breeds (like retrievers). Oddly enough, my aunt had a cockapoo that she had to teach to swim. They found out he couldn't swim when my uncle tossed him out of a rowboat in 10' of water thinking he would just paddle around. Checkers just sank like a rock, and sat on the bottom of the lake blowing bubbles. :lol-sign: My uncle jumped in and pulled him out. They took him out in the shallow water and by the end of the day he was a great swimmer.

 

[Sweet72947]

The local EB rescue likes to bring their dogs to the local dog water therapy pool and let them swim (with doggy life vests on). For some reason, a lot of EB seem to LOVE water!

 

[Tankstar]

All the ones I have met have sank like rocks.

There is one that comes to the dog park wearing a life jacket, as he just LOVES water, but is not very good at swimming at all. so his owner brings his life vest for him to paddle around in. its cute. His chihuahua has a life vest as well, as they both love water, but the current can over take the chi to quickly so better safe then sorry with his life vest on

 

[Zoom]

The ones that I've met all love splashing around in the water, but they suck at actually swimming.

 

[PixieSticksandTricks]

Didn't the Osbornes EB (I think she belonged to Jack) swim in their pool constantly on their show? I specifically remember a episode where Sharron and Ozzy said that the dog would have to go. And when Jack convinced them to keep her. He and the dog celebrated by swiming in the pool. After which she vomitted lol. I havent seen that show in years.

I have heard that most Dobes can't swim. Which is why you see so many in swiming vests. I heard (on Chaz!) that its because of the way they are built.

I think generally certain breeds have a hard time learning to swim. Not saying they can't. They just take some actual teaching. And some EBs or Dobes ect don't get it. Where other breeds (Retrievers ect) come upon it pretty naturally. Not saying some don't struggle though!

 

[Vintage Boxers]

I would attribute their front heavy build to their less than stellar swim records.

They were built to not be swung around by a bull, so heavier on the forehand, built in a more downhill manner back to front

 

[Maura]

Dogs other than bulldogs have drowned in swimming pools. They can get in, but they can't get out.

 

[Toller_08]

I used to know a Bulldog who was a fantastic swimmer! But he wasn't built as heavy as many Bulldogs either, so maybe that made a difference? I have no idea, but he sure was good at it!

 

[4dogs3cats]

yeah I would think it would have less to do with the legs. If that were true than corgis wouldnt be able to swim either.

My guess is their front heavy build as previously suggested

 

[Pops2]

I would attribute their front heavy build to their less than stellar swim records.

They were built to not be swung around by a bull, so heavier on the forehand, built in a more downhill manner back to front

:doh:
PLEASE PUT SOME LOL ICONS IN YOUR POST.
you don't seriously think the english bulldog as we know it today was ever put on a bull, do you?