Yes, Poodles love swimming. They are outstanding swimmers and tend to like watersports. Poodle origin tells a story of duck hunting across the marshlands in Germany for centuries. Hence, swimming is a deep-rooted feature of Poodles.
They love to accompany you to the beaches, rivers, and pools on dog days. Thus Poodles shed excess energy while enjoying themselves.
Despite your Poodle’s massive attraction to water, beware of exposure to the sun. Too much sunbathing causes cancer in the later stages of his life. He must play under a shade by the beach or pool on extremely hot days.
Which Poodle swims the best?
All Poodles are swimmers. However, great swimming requires greater heights. So, there could be a clear distinction among the Standard, Miniature, and Toy Poodles.
Do Standard Poodles swim?
Yes, Standard Poodles are incredible swimmers. Besides, they bring a mellow and graceful nature to the table. Standard Poodles can cohabit peacefully with other pets. Moreover, Standards do not bully others using their large physique.
Can Miniature Poodles swim?
Yes, Mini Poodles can swim well too. But they are not the top swimmers like the Standards. Less energy and a petite body contribute negatively to their performance.
However, they are typically the most active dog breed among all three Poodles. Hence, you must take them swimming frequently. Thus their hyperactive energy expends positively.
Can Toy Poodles swim?
You already know the answer. Yes, Toy Poodles can swim well too. They could become the champion swimmers among similar-sized dogs. Nonetheless, they are no match for two of their larger cousins.
Toy Poodles show some negative energy if left idly to their own devices. They enthusiastically jump into intense and brief activities. Toys grow tired pretty quickly. Therefore, you must avoid the deeper sections of the pool for safety.
Overall, Standards are the best swimmers among all three Poodles. Graceful and robust Poodles raise a storm in the pool. Conversely, smaller size contributes to quick lethargy among Miniatures and Toys. So, the last two require your supervision during water games and activities.
What prompts a Poodle to swim?
Several exclusive features trigger an astonishing swimming capability in a Poodle.
Webbed feet
Poodle is one of those rare dog breeds with webbed feet. These are similar to the flippers of a pro swimmer. With these, Poodles show unmatched swimming skills. They seem like they are gliding through the water.
You know Labradors also have webbed feet. In the day, Canadian fishers cherished this feature to retrieve their fishing net from the icy waters. Likewise, Poodles’ webbed feet afloat them and help pilot through wavy currents.
Smart & trainable
You can efficiently train a Poodle. Typically, they are loyal and obedient dogs. Sharp intelligence and loyalty make them ideal suitors for obedience and hand signals training. Your commands resonate well with their minds.
Besides, Poodles learn to love swimming early in their life. This genuine interest is a great boon for their training at a young age. Such an inborn swimmer considers swimming a cakewalk.
Energy packed fireball
Poodles are the best playful and robust dogs. Idleness prompts snapping and other negative behavior, including snapping.
They are top performers in agility, hunting, and obedience tests. Give them positive outlets to deplete their excess energy. Hence, swimming is an ideal physical activity for them.
Water-friendly coat
The elegant and stylish coat sets the Poodle apart. It serves beyond pompous shows. The Poodle has no undercoat, unlike many other double-coated dog breeds. Water-proof properties of this coat favor swimming across different types of water.
The trimmed areas of the coat remarkably unburden his weight in the pool. His retrieving jobs become easier as his clean coat takes no underwater debris. Moreover, hairy vital organs enjoy natural protection from icy waters. So, Poodles never mind cold water.
How to train a Poodle to swim?
Despite inborn swimming features, you cannot just throw a puppy into the water and expect him to perform up to the mark. That never happens. Different personality traits even lead to a stark disliking of water. So, take it slowly and teach the Poodle how to swim. Begin with the ABCs.
Introduce the water
Regular baths have no similarity to swimming. So you must get the dog down to a pool to interact with the water. Walk him by the river or beach. He will gradually become used to it.
Baby steps
Keep your dog restricted to the shallower section of the waterbody. Miniature and Toy breeds can immensely benefit from this advice. Bring him close to the pool. Then, use your best treats to convince him down the waterline. Positive reinforcement eventually makes it a business as usual.
Step by step, proceed to the deep sections
You have already earned the Poodle’s trust. Hence, walk the dog across the shoreline. Do not drive him to the deep water if they refuse to go.
Play alongside his choices. During retrieving games, you will notice their general tendency towards the shallow or deep parts of the water. It exposes his levels of fear.
They do pedal
Poodles pedal in the water, driven by their instinct. It happens when they are coursing through the deeper segments of the water.
Watch for fatigue
Swimming turns the strongest weak in a matter of minutes. So, you must observe if they are feeling spiritless. All muscles work restlessly.
Hence, the puppy will soon tire out, especially in the initial stages of his life. Accordingly, you must remain vigilant about not letting him play for too long.
How to groom a Poodle after swimming?
Swimming or playing down the beaches leave the dog in a messy condition. Consequently, a quick brush or towel rub won’t do the magic. Post-swim grooming takes extra effort and preparation.
Brush the dog before swimming. It can reduce grooming pressures after the swim session. Also, you cannot brush him right after swimming as it causes general discomfort.
Rinse the Poodle with cool and fresh water. Wash it all down the skin. Their treacherous bulky coat could hold onto saltwater remnants, mud, sand, dirt, and other litter. Besides, high-quality paw wipes or towels can do well for the paws. Clean his paws before they dry out.
How to ensure Poodle safety during the swim?
Swimming is tricky, with vast hazards down the road. You have to remember several factors to maintain safe Poodle swimming.
Water temperatures
Dogs have sensitive skin, more delicate than humans. So, do not force him into a waterbody you feel uncomfortable with. During winter or windy days, you must wipe off the dog and dry him quickly.
Dogs are notorious for succumbing to hypothermia. Young and energetic dogs often jump straight into the water without thinking much. That could be fatal for them.
Water intake
Long swimming sessions inevitably lead to swallowing excessive water. It results in vomit and electrolyte abnormalities. Use small toys in a short and playful session. Thus you can inhibit too much water intake.
Toxicity
Chlorinated pool water means nothing to a dog. So, the Poodle would gulp it on whims. You can reverse this negative impact by providing him with adequate fresh drinking water. You need to be careful about the natural ponds as well. They often contain harmful algae and animals.
Currents
Beach currents are dangerous for Poodles as much as for humans. Do not throw the ball too far into the ocean. The dog would give it a try regardless of the consequences. Treacherous beach currents and sharks might end the game right then and there. Remember that shark attacks mostly happen in the shallow water.
Sun
Dog skin is susceptible to sun exposure. You can use pet sunscreen. It is highly recommended for hairless dog breeds. Poodles have delicate pink noses. Also, they might possess a light coat. Therefore, the puppy requires complete protection, just in case.
Do Poodles dislike baths?
Typically, dogs are not insanely in love with the idea of bathing. So, Poodles are no exception. Besides, frequent bathing and wrong dog shampoos cause multiple skin and coat issues. Thus the puppy may develop a general distaste for it.
Besides, the coat gets tangled and matted now and then. The situation painfully aggravates when you shower him. Hence, you must accustom the dog to a bath every 3-4 weeks since puppyhood. Thereby, bathing the Poodle becomes more manageable in the future.
Brush the coat before you bathe your puppy. Otherwise, a looming disaster results in a damaged coat. Bring on a gentle dog shampoo and conditioner to give his fur a smooth and shiny feel.
Also, plan for an enjoyable Poodle bathing session by combining it with pleasant events. Special treats, favorite toys, and a nice massage afterward could do the trick for your dog. These positive associations entice the Poodle to withstand the intolerable.