Can Pugs Swim?

Pugs are a breed of dogs with dark eyes, a wrinkled face, and a small body stature. The name “pug” comes from a Latin word meaning “fist,” as their faces are said to resemble a human fist. They weigh no more than 20 pounds, are playful in nature, and love being the center of attraction. If they don’t get the attention craved for, they tend to get upset. Apart from having a charming and joyous personality, Pugs can at times be willful too, which makes them difficult to train.

Pugs love human interaction and will follow you around your house quite often. For a small stature like theirs, they shed their body hair very fast and in a huge amount. Pugs are known to be indoor dogs as they are sensitive to extreme weather conditions. They get sick if exposed to extreme weather conditions, whether hot or cold. This article focusses on answering the question, “Can Pugs swim?” We asked Discount Pet Supplies for the answer.

Can Pugs Swim?

Generally, people think that dogs of any breed can swim with their natural instinct. However, it is not true. Some breeds do need to be trained for swimming and Pugs happen to be one of them. Pugs are a breed of dogs who naturally do not know how to swim. Now if pugs can’t swim, there are valid reasons behind it. It is important to realize that if a pug is put into water, naturally it will start paddling its feet. Paddling of feet is a natural reflex action but that does not mean they are capable of swimming.

Pugs have a broad and short skull, which means they belong to the brachycephalic breed. Now this feature is responsible for their adorable appearance but it is also the reason that pugs have fair chances of drowning when left to swim. To cope with this, Pugs try to keep their heads up while swimming to be able to breathe, but when doing so, their bodies are in a downward position and thus, it might lead to drowning. Their long body and short legs don’t help their case either. More so because Pugs are considered to be lap dogs in the first instance: you can’t expect swimmers out of them, but sleepers for sure!

Also, Pugs are food-loving creatures and are prone to obesity. This makes them a lot heavier than other breeds of their size. And because of their obesity, it gets difficult for them to stay afloat. More so, due to their short noses/snouts, breathing gets difficult for them with increased physical activity. Thus, it requires a lot of training and exercise for a Pug if you want them to swim.

However, don’t be surprised if your Pug shows a fondness for water. They might not be natural swimmers but they enjoy the water. Here, just consider that every Pug has a unique personality. If you want your Pug to swim, the first step should be familiarizing them with water, make them like it. Letting them into a heated pool, or putting them into the shallower end of a pool would be helpful.

More so, you can hire a trainer for your Pug so that they can get professional swim training. You could also bring a lifesaver jacket for your Pug so that every time you go out on the beach you will be assured that your pet won’t be any danger. Also, it is recommended to teach them swimming in a pool or enclosed space with water first so that they can get familiar with techniques such as keeping themselves afloat, getting to the edge, coming out of the pool, etc.

Never leave them unsupervised while at a swim because they have emotions too, and it is natural for them to be scared and anxious. During such times, they will find comfort if their owners are near them. Another important thing you should look for is that your Pug does not get exhausted. Since they are not naturally inclined to swimming or doing such rigorous physical activity, they might show earlier signs of exhaustion. Pay attention to those and take care of your pet. Also, as they are likely to suffer breathing issues because of their short snout, it will be in their best interest if they are trained to regulate their breathing skills first.

Other factors include having a safe pool for your Pug to swim in. A safe pool means having a pool cover, low chemical content, and a pool fence. Pool covers keep out debris from the water and can also keep your puppy safe. Having a lower chemical content will reduce any chances of the skin irritations or ear infections of your Pug, as they can be sensitive to chemicals like chlorine. Moreover, fencing a pool is a smart way to prevent your dog from jumping into the pool accidentally or intentionally, further ensuring their safety.

Conclusion

Pugs are cute creatures who are bound to spread happiness. If trained properly and with care, they can be social as well. Though swimming is not a natural skill for them, it can be acquired with training.

Teaching them to swim with the correct resources and affection can make them great swimmers eventually. This article thus answered the question of whether or not Pugs can swim well and even offered you with tactics to help them swim. Some people might argue that if you put a Pug (or any dog for the matter) in a pool, it will start kicking its feet and trying to get ashore. But that is just a reflex action and later may have adverse consequences such as fear of water and even aggressive behavior.

We need to be understanding of our dogs as much as they are towards us. Being kind to them is what will help your relationship with them prosper.