Is winter swimming safe?

[irotas]

Manni seems to enjoy swimming out in the lake even in the winter time when it's COLD outside (this morning it was -8C/17F!). Some people around us expressed concern, but the cold really doesn't seem to bother him.

I read online that labs were bred to be winter hunting dogs, so I'm guessing it's OK to let him swim even this time of year. Does anyone else let their dogs swim in the winter? Ever had any problems?

 

[MyHorseMyRules]

I let my dogs swim in the winter.... But that doesn't really help because on a Texas winter day, it's usually 80 degrees outside.

 

[CharlieDog]

I've let Oz swim in the winter, Enzo as well.. I just make sure I have lots of towels and blankets to dry them off quickly with.

 

[Doberluv]

Labs are one of a very few breeds basically impervious to frigid waters. (Is Manni a purebred Lab...with that oily, double coat?) If so, it's waterproof. I'm sure you already know that they came from Newfoundland and have the breed, Newfoundland in their make-up. (Labs use to be called the "lesser Newfoundland.") But they were both used for bringing in fishing nets in their beginning. So, I'm sure if he feels like swimming, he knows what he's doing. You can watch for signs too of him getting cold if he's had enough...just in case; shivering, chattering teeth, then you can towel him off. One thing I would be concerned with is going out on ice because if it breaks, he may not be able to get out and could drown. But that is probably not necessary to mention, but I do because my niece's dog fell through the ice once in his exuberance. It was a tense few moments but he finally did pull himself out.

 

[Psyfalcon]

If they do it once, and want to do it again, its probably fine

Retrievers are meant for this. GSPs and GWPs have double coats that aren't bad. Some of the herding or nordic dogs might be fine for shorter periods, they have the right coat, except its not as oily and water repellent as the retrievers. Once the undercoat is full of cold water, most dogs know its time to stop.

 

[Tankstar]

I dont let my dog, only becuase his long hair literally turns to huge icicles (He dove in last december before I could stop him, he is such a water nut lol)

labs were bred to swim in frigid waters of newfieland (you know those crazy canucks, no offence to newfies lol), toronto is mild and warmer then there, espeaically ont he coast. so I would say it is fine. just watch out for ice, and I would keep a towl(s) handy to help dry him a bit, even though the coat is water proof.