Should Your Dog Swim in an In-Ground Pool?

Most dogs are fairly good swimmers, especially water dogs with bodies built for swimming such as the Labrador or golden retriever, poodle, Portugese water dog or Irish water spaniel. Some breeds, however, don't take to the water so well. The bulldog, for example, has a lot of muscle and very little fat, so it must work much harder to stay afloat.

  1. Depends on the Dog

    • Chihuahua's tend to get nervous, tired and cold in the water.

      Some dogs were born to swim; it's in their genes. Water dogs, setters, retrieving dogs and most spaniels are natural swimmers. Some dogs can be taught to swim. Dalmatians, Rottweilers, many hounds and hybrids of these dogs can all be taught relatively quickly how to swim. If you have a backyard in-ground pool, for safety's sake, it's a good idea to teach your dog to swim if he's not already a good swimmer. If you have a tiny dog or a dog with a stocky body, your focus should be more on preventing an accident. All dogs are individuals, however, and you just might have the best swimming Chihuahua in the country, so take some time to see how your dog does in the pool.

    Depends on the Pool

    • A dog's nose is much more sensitive to chlorine odors than a human's.

      If your dog loves the water and wants to swim often, take the pool chemicals into consideration so you don't damage your dog's coat, skin or ears. The chlorine at the levels most people use in their pools is safe for dogs and people as long as they don't ingest too much of it. Some dogs drink from the pool, so try to curb that habit if yours is one of them. A dog's mucous membranes are more sensitive than a human's, so it takes a smaller amount of chlorine to irritate them. Consider changing your chemicals to bromide or saltwater to keep your pool clean and sparkling. In any event, if you flush the chlorine out of your dog's coat with a hose after an afternoon of dipping, you'll help keep his coat and skin healthy.

    Pool Filters

    • Skimming clumps of hair will save your filters.

      If your concern is for your pool filter, you may have to upgrade. Cartridges that come with pool filtration kits are usually ineffective by themselves in removing vast amounts of dog hair. You may have to clean the filter much more often if you have a standard cartridge. You can upgrade to a larger cartridge or a self-cleaning cartridge for a less labor-intensive regime. Sand filters are a good choice for large amounts of heavy hair and will last for many years. Diatomaceous earth is not a good choice as a filter medium for dog hair as it tends to clog quickly.

    Safety

    • Make sure your dog can get out of the pool.

      Think about safety even if your dog's a great swimmer. The first time you allow your dog in your pool, be sure he knows how to get back out again. If you have stairs, show him how to get to them. If you have a ladder only, you may have to teach him how to use it, or you may have to help him out of the pool every time. Never leave your dog unattended in a pool. In your absence, he may panic and forget how to exit the pool. If your dog is prone to chronic ear infections, a problem for many long-eared dogs, use a drying agent after each swimming session to keep ears dry and yeast-free.