Dalmatians are one of the most dignified breeds in the doggy-dom. They are very popular for their sporty and outgoing nature. This breed belongs to the Non-sporting group.
Can Dalmatians swim? Yes, without a doubt, but there will always be exceptions. Proper workouts and early training help in this case. None can claim Dalmatian as a swimming dog, as there are cases of water-avoider dalmatians as well.
So, Can your Dalmatian swim? Depends on your black-spotted pet whether they love being in contact with the water or not. Check the full article below to know more about Dalmatian swimming!
Are Dalmatians Good Swimmer?
There are lots of debates on the origination of this particular breed. The Dalmatians belong from the area once known as Dalmatia (Now: Croatia), by the early 1800s. The Dals were coach dogs for horses and to be support dogs for the firemen. These spotted beauties are popular for their dignified temperament and attitude.
Are Dalmatians good swimmers? Not always. Assuming Dalmatians to be strong swimmers can be dangerous at times. There have been reports of dalmatians that aren’t particularly excellent swimmers. So, keep a close eye on your plum pudding to understand its abilities when it comes to swimming.
Related Reading: Are Cane Corsos Really Good Swimmers?
Do Dalmatians Like To Swim?
Being energetic in nature, the Dals need a lot of exercises to stay calm and healthy. They need a least two hours of exercise per day. The perfect activities for a Dalmatian are jogging, swimming, fetching a stick or ball. Stimulatory mental exercises keep them active and anxiety-free.
Do dalmatians swim? Yes, definitely but there always will be exceptions. Look to check if your pet likes to swim or not.
Do dalmatians like to swim? Some Dalmatians love to play in the water and they love to swim as that helps them to stay active and spontaneous. Then again, some individuals are total water-avoiders and get stressed when they come any closer to the water.
So, keep an eye on your pet’s preferences and make sure your Dal gets the right amount of exercise daily.
Do Dalmatians Like Water?
Dalmatians enjoy water if they get along with it in a positive way from a young age. The majority of Dals learn to swim at the same time they learn to socialize. Even if they swim, they might become exhausted, especially if they are young. Some appear to fatigue because they have no notion of rest and wish to keep swimming as long as possible.
Do dalmatians like water? Most Dalmatians enjoy playing in the water and are natural swimmers, but not all Dalmatians are the same. Some people do not enjoy being in the water or do not know how to swim, thus strict supervision is a must at all times.
Related Reading: Do Bullmastiff Dogs Like Water?
How Long Can Your Dalmatian Swim In The Water?
Dals can only swim for 10 minutes at a time, but with each visit to the water, their stamina improves.
So, If a dalmatian is an expert swimmer and confident about their swimming skills, how long should it swim for a decent workout?
They can swim for 30 minutes, as required by the industry. Well-maintained swimming pools are generally safe for dogs to use. In most cases, pool water, whether chlorine or saltwater, is not deemed dangerous.
Besides, this depends more on your pet and its likeability towards the water as you should not force them into swimming if they do not like to be in the water at all.
You can go for other exercising options to keep your Dal healthy.
5 Cool Facts: Why Does Your Dalmatian Love to Swim?
Dalmatians need heavy exercises to cope with their natural bursts of energy. Swimming is one of the exercises these spotted dogs love and below are the reasons behind their love for swimming:
#1 Does Your Dalmatian Love To Get Buoyant For A While?
The weightlessness of being in the water appeals to our pets. The water supports the body due to the buoyancy of the water, which reduces the impact of gravity. Swimming is a perfect workout because it relieves stress on your lovely Dalmatian’s joints, bones, and muscles while still increasing mobility.
Dalmatians like the ability to move in the water. The exercise makes them all refreshed and ready to face everything that comes up. This buoyancy helps them swim around for a good amount of time, making the Dals love this exercise. Make sure your Dalmatian swims under your supervision to avoid unprecedented accidents.
#2 Is Your Dalmatian Doing This With Positive Association?
Positive affirmation is one thing that is much needed whenever some person or a pet anyone is starting or getting introduced to something new. Swimming for dalmatians comes with a lot of pros and cons as they may or may not like swimming in the first place.
Before they can enjoy the fun of swimming, dogs, like children, need to know that they are healthy, safe and that they can trust their ability to swim in the water.
Support your dog with patience and training for the first time. Assure them that they are safe in the water and they are not alone while exercising. Be within their sight so that they can trust you.
#3 Is Your Dalmatian Doing Exercise?
Yes! Dalmatians love to exercise. They take it as a game and as soon as they get introduced to swimming. Exercise is one of the most certain reasons why dogs enjoy swimming. When a dog learns to swim, he or she adapts naturally. This exercise is beneficial to your Dalmatian and has a great impact on your pet.
The water’s resistance stimulates muscles to work harder thus providing the sensation of being weightless. It’s an excellent way for your spotted pal to get a decent workout while still preserving their joints. Once the exercise is done, they will sleep like a log for sure.
#4 Is Your Dalmatian Experiencing Mental Stimulation?
Any Dalmatian owner can testify to the fact that these spotted Croatian dogs get bored quickly. Swimming is not only good for your pet’s physical health, but it is also good for his or her mental health. A dog’s walking motion changes from a trot to a paddle when swimming.
We have learned the so-called “doggy paddle” in our first swimming lesson. While the scene of dalmatian swimming appears to be as normal as a fish in water, there is more attention paid to their body than we know. When swimming, their brain assesses the action and environment in the same way as ours does.
The increase in concentration and drive keeps your Dalmatian interested in this exciting task since the brain and body are now functioning simultaneously.
#5 Is Your Dalmatian Having Fun?
Undoubtedly! Swimming is a stress-relieving exercise and I bet all the swimmers like me would agree on this. The same applies to your dalmatian. They have fun in the water as it relieves their stress and helps them by providing a space for entertainment along with exercise.
Dalmatians that love swimming are like children in a pool; it’s difficult to get them out once they jump in. Swimming is equal to four minutes of land exercise in one minute. It’s difficult to beat the sensation of being weightless when having a full-body workout.
Swimming is not only enjoyable for your pets, but it also relieves discomfort from arthritis, inflammation, and mobility problems. So, make sure your spotted pooch is having fun while exercising to the fullest!
Things To Consider Before Your Dalmatian Swim in The Water
Is swimming safe for your dalmatian? If you’re a Dal owner who’s considering this, then there are a few things to consider before releasing your canine pal in the water.
#1 Don’t Leave Your Dalmatian Unsupervised
Some Dalmatians love being in the water and some don’t. That does not mean that you’ll let your pet alone in the water unsupervised. If they love water, Dalmatians are like little kids who just want to stay in the water forever once they jump in.
They do not pay attention to whether they have enough energy to swim anymore or not. They just keep swimming as long as they can. Even though you feel like your dog is intelligent enough to understand whenever they need rest, don’t forget they stay the puppies at heart forever.
So, it is the best choice to always keep an eye on your canine pudding to avoid unwanted incidents.
#2 Don’t Go With Your Dalmatian For Swimming in Unfamiliar Waters
Well-maintained swimming pools are generally safe for Dalmatians to use. Pool water, whether chlorine or saltwater, is generally not considered harmful. The problem begins when you go outdoors with your dalmatian and there is a chance for swimming.
Not all water bodies out there may be safe for your pooch as there might be different dangers and risky debris lurking beneath the surface.
Make sure you check the water even though it looks safer at first sight. Consider whether currents, tides, or strong waves could be dangerous if you’re at the beach. Keep an eye for the green and blue algae which are more visible in the water during summer as these are considered quite harmful for dalmatians along with all other dogs.
So, if you are outdoors for hiking or some little adventure, make sure your spotted beauty is safe and sound the whole time.
#3 Don’t Let Your Dalmatian Get Too Tired
For Dalmatians swimming, it is always advised to start in shallow water if possible and to stay close to your dog. Allow your pet to become accustomed to having wet feet. Don’t leave the shallows until your canine friend appears to be content.
Encourage steady progress into deeper water, and give plenty of praise and positive reinforcement for being in it.
Dalmatians tend to easily get tired after swimming. But the matter of concern is when they do not understand the limitations of their energy.
They tend to keep swimming as long as they feel like they can. It’s also crucial to show your dog how to get out of the water and to keep their swimming within a limited timespan otherwise their fatigue and heavy movements may often result in unwanted severe bone damages.
So, keep an eye on your Dalmatians so that they don’t get too tired from swimming.
#4 Don’t Ignore Cold Weather
One of the major issues of your dalmatian’s swimming session is temperature. Before allowing your spotted dog to swim, check to make sure the water temperature plus the air temperature equals at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
A Cold tail, also known as a limber tail or swimmer’s tail, occurs when the dog’s water temperature is too cold.
The tail will droop and no longer wag or raise in this situation. If the water temperature is too cold your dog might suffer from hypothermia too.
So, seek the vet’s support if your dalmatian seems or acts differently after getting out of the water.
Also Read: Can Border Collies Swim Well?
Things To Do After Your Dalmatian Finishes Her Swim
There are several things to look into once your dalmatian finishes swimming. These precautions will only save you from unwanted expenses:
Pay attention to the ears: Wipe and clean the ears of your dalmatian after their swimming session. It is to avoid ear infections and to fight the fungal attack on their skin from dampness.
Rinse it off!: It is better to give your Dalmatian a proper shower with a good shampoo after swimming. It fights off the smell of chlorine or the sands from the beach.
Dry the pal!: It is not good to let your dalmatian air dry after swimming as it may lead to fungus growth
Watch out for the cuts: Look for any injuries or cuts on your Dalmatian’s paws if the swimming was outdoors. It is always better safe than sorry.
Be attentive: There’s a good possibility your dalmatian will enjoy a swim in the vast outdoors. So, be attentive with the proper care, attention, and precautions.
Consult the experts: Remember to seek advice from specialists such as your veterinarian. It will save your unwanted expenses in the future.
Over To You
Dalmatians are popular for being great family dogs and coach dogs. This particular breed seems rare these days. This is because Dalmatians are not for everyone and not everyone can look after their needs. These energetic dogs are lovable family pets.
I talked about whether Dalmatians can swim or not and how to take proper care of them. Did you find the article informative? Which information was new to you?
As a Dalmatian enthusiast, I would love to know about your Dalmatian. Did I miss anything to cover? I love communicating with my fellow Dalmatian lovers.
Share the article if you like. Don’t forget to comment with your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below!
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