8 things you didn't know about dogs and water 🐾💧

Some dogs love water — and others avoid it like the plague! At our place, Arya is clearly in the first category. She swims, runs, jumps... and when she wants a stick, she always chooses the wettest path to get it. Because everything is better with water, obviously! 😄💧

But whether they’re water lovers like Arya or couch potatoes who prefer to stay dry, dogs hold real biological and historical treasures related to swimming. We’re sharing 8 fascinating (and sometimes surprising!) facts about our four-legged friends and their relationship with water. 🌊

🐾 1. Corgis float... thanks to their butts!

Yes, you read that right. While most mammals have very muscular (and therefore heavy) hind legs, corgis’ hind legs are made up of about 80% fat — which naturally floats on water. Add to that a thick double coat, and you get a little floating sausage that’s very effective! 😄

However, beware: their short legs prevent them from being strong swimmers. It’s better to let them paddle in shallow water or put a life jacket on them for aquatic adventures.

🐾 2. Some dogs have webbed feet!

Golden retrievers, Newfoundlands, Portuguese water dogs, and Nova Scotia retrievers were bred to work in water — and it shows! Their webbed feet provide a larger surface area, allowing them to swim faster and more easily. Bonus: excellent grip on muddy or slippery surfaces. Nature really knows what it’s doing! 🌊

🐾 3. The Newfoundland: champion of water rescue

While some dogs were bred to retrieve game from water, others have an even nobler purpose: saving lives. The Newfoundland was historically used to rescue fishermen who fell into the water. Large, sturdy, excellent swimmers, and incredibly calm, they are still used today by coast guards alongside the Leonberger. Four-legged heroes! 🦸

🐾 4. Swimming: the ideal sport for senior dogs

For senior dogs or those suffering from arthritis, swimming is a true blessing. When swimming, your dog uses all its muscles without putting strain on its joints. It’s the canine equivalent of water aerobics — gentle, effective, and invigorating!

💡 Cuddle Tip: If your dog has joint problems, talk to your vet about balneotherapy. More and more clinics offer therapeutic swimming sessions!

🐾 5. A double coat = a natural raincoat

Double-coated dogs have a real protection system:

• 🧶 The undercoat: soft, dense, insulating — keeps the dog warm in winter and cool in summer
• 🛡️ The topcoat: longer and coarser, often water-repellent and dirt-resistant

Result: even after a long swim, these dogs stay relatively warm and dry. Nature did a great job... even if the couch doesn’t always recover! 😄

🐾 6. The "dog paddle" also exists in humans!

When a dog swims, it paddles with all four legs, always alternating a front leg and a back leg. This natural and instinctive movement is so effective that humans have... copied it! The "dog paddle" is a swimming style where the arms mimic the movement of a dog’s front legs. Next time you’re at the pool, you’ll know where it comes from! 🏊

🐾 7. Some dogs simply don’t know how to swim

Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs can swim — and some are even at risk in the water:

• 🐶 Dogs with short muzzles (pugs, French bulldogs) have trouble breathing and risk water entering their noses
• 🐕 Dogs with short legs and long bodies (dachshunds, bassets, corgis) tire very quickly
• 💪 Dogs with wide and heavy bodies (bulldogs, boxers, pitbulls) struggle to stay afloat

💡 Cuddle Tip: If your dog is one of these breeds, invest in a good canine life jacket before any water adventure. Safety first! 🦺

🐾 8. Dogs who are surfing champions!

Yes, it really exists — and there’s even a world championship: the World Dog Surfing Championships, held in San Francisco Bay! 🏄

A dog’s ability to surf depends less on its breed than on its comfort in the water, balance... and especially its desire to have fun. Because in the end, that’s what matters most: that your companion enjoys themselves!

💙 And you, is your dog more of a water lover like Arya, or a dry couch enthusiast? Let us know in the comments 🐾