Can Bulldogs Swim? 3 Important Precautions to Take

Did you know there are 11 types of bulldogs? From French to American to English, this dog breed is easy to recognize due to their unique features. With a short, stout skull, this breed has a facial structure known as brachycephalic.

While this trait can be desirable to breeders, it can increase the number of health issues the animal experiences over their lifetime. Many veterinarians consider bulldogs as the breed they wouldn’t want to own because of the extensive respiratory issues they face.

Because of this, bulldogs shouldn’t be allowed to swim recreationally. Here are some precautions and factors to take into consideration as to why this dog breed should stay clear of any type of body of water.

Physical Factors That Affect a Bulldog’s Ability to Swim

While their distinct facial structure plays a part in their lack of ability to swim, there’s much more to it. Bulldogs have shorter nasal passages than other breeds, muscular bodies, and shorter snouts. Here is how these each play a part in their lack of ability to swim.

Obstructed Nasal Passages

Bulldogs are known to snore and snort because their airways can be obstructed. Allowing this breed to swim without the proper nasal passageways can quickly lead to disaster. Because of their nasal passages, bulldogs aren’t able to sufficiently breathe while constantly trying to keep their head above the water.

In fact, bulldogs can have issues breathing while they’re on land. The respiratory issues bulldogs face can get worse over time. With that being said, the older a bulldog is, the less you’ll want them anywhere near water.

Short Snouts

Another physical trait that makes it hard for these animals to swim is their short snouts. it takes a lot of effort for them to continuously lift their head out of water. They can tire quickly and go beneath the surface within seconds.

Smaller Stature

In comparison to larger breeds, bulldogs have much shorter legs. These paired with a heavy midsection can make it nearly impossible for them to stay afloat. They have to use a lot of their energy to keep their head above the water and paddling their little legs excessively can exhaust them rather swiftly.

Bulldogs have a shockingly muscular body. Because muscle is more dense than fat, they can sink easier than other dogs. With so much muscle in a compact body, their build isn’t designed to be in water.

Precautions You Can Take

Do these factors mean you have to shield your bulldog from any water source for their entire lives? Absolutely not. There are a number of precautions you can implement to give your four-legged friend an enjoyable life, even in the heat of summer!

Implement a Sprinkler

Just like every other animal outdoors, when the temperatures rise, they need ways to cool off. Bulldogs love playing in sprinklers and it’s a great way to help them regulate their temperature without them needing to be in a body of water.

We do suggest that you monitor if they drink any of the water from the sprinkler or hose. Excessive amounts of hose water can lead to something called water intoxication. If left untreated, water toxication can lead to serious health issues and even death.

Signs of this include:

• Nausea
• Lethargy
• Abdominal distension
• Seizures
• Weakness
• Vomiting

Use a Live Vest

Because a number of dog breeds struggle to swim, there are many types of life vests for canines on the market. These are similar to the ones humans wear and are designed to keep your furry friend above the water at all times.

A doggy life jacket is essential if you’re bringing your pet anywhere with choppy and unpredictable water. Most of these devices have a handle that makes it easy to lift your dog when necessary, extra foam around the front of the vest for breeds like bulldogs, and areas where you can easily attach a leash.

Be sure you put the life jacket on the animal and fit it properly before getting into the water.

Talk With a Professional

There are two professionals that you may want to contact: your vet and a trainer. For starters, a vet can give you helpful ideas on how to introduce a bulldog to the idea of playing in the water or safe activities in the summer heat.

On the other hand, a trainer can teach you how to safely allow your pet to play in the water without the risk of injury or drowning.

Final Thoughts

While swimming is a great way to keep humans and dogs in shape, not every breed is designed for this sport. Thankfully, there are still plenty of ways your furry friend can enjoy the great outdoors during the warmer months.

This breed can be prone to heat exhaustion due to their small size, making it essential to keep them cool throughout the summer. From cooling mats to misting them with ice water, there are endless possibilities!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Chekyravaa/Shutterstock.com