One of the typical traits shared among different dog breeds is the ability to swim. But you should note that most dogs can’t really swim all that skillfully. Now, if you have a Sheepadoodle, you might probably be wondering whether it has good swimming skills or not.
Sheepadoodles can swim skillfully and are often called Olympic swimmers. They are a crossbreed of the Poodle and the Old English Sheepdog (OES). Both these breeds have brilliant swimming traits, and naturally, their offspring will inherit the trait. This breed loves to swim and is pretty excellent at it.
Let’s dive in further to know about the aspects of the Sheepadoodle to help you better find the answer to, can Sheepadoodles swim.
Understanding the Sheepadoodle Breed and Its Variants
A Sheepadoodle is a friendly, obedient, and intelligent dog breed. It’s a crossbreed of the Poodles and OES. You should also note that a Poodle comes in four variants:
- Toy Poodle
- Miniature Poodle
- Standard Poodle
- Medium Poodle
Breeders cross breed these variants with OES. Thus, you will see differences in size, weight, and height. For instance, a mix of a toy Poodle and OES will produce a toy Sheepadoodle. And a crossbreed of the Standard Poodle and OES will give a standard Sheepadoodle.
However, they share similar personality traits and other characteristics despite the variations.
Can Sheepadoodles Swim?
Now that you have understood the variants of this crossbreed, some might be wondering if all Sheepadoodles can swim. And the answer is yes, regardless of the size. They are excellent swimmers, and it’s one of their best traits.
It may be surprising to some, but this cute-looking dog is also considered a good hunter. And you will see this trait in most of the Sheepadoodles. They are fast swimmers, relatively better among most dog breeds.
This dog breed is a natural and excellent swimmer. Hence, it’s not surprising that it got the name “Olympic swimmer.” However, not all Sheepadoodles like to swim as some tend to get into the water.
Therefore, train them young if you like your dog to swim in water with glee. It will help the dog get used to the water and not be scared to make a splash. As a pet parent, you will need the patience to let your furry friend like the water. It might be a slow process, but if you’re consistent, your dog will get used to it eventually.
Do I Need to Train My Sheepadoodle to Swim?
Despite being born a natural swimmer, teaching your Sheepadoodle how to swim is essential. You should take the first step as a pet parent, like how we teach babies to walk.
Initially, they may be pretty scared to get into the water, and it’s bound to happen. Most dogs may act strange or afraid in a new environment, and it’s natural. So, it would be better to train them young to get used to the water and be at ease.
If you have a Sheepadoodle puppy and want to be a good swimmer, now would be good to start the training process. Be soft and gentle while teaching your furry friend as it might be in a fearful state.
Avoid scolding them in the training process as it will only make them hate the water more and may become aggressive. Once the swimming session is done, please give a treat to your dog and rinse the water off its coat with a towel.
It’s always advisable to start training at an early age, whether in swimming or other activity. It learns fast at a young age and is relatively easy to manage. But once the dog matures, it becomes pretty challenging and may take time to learn.
How Do I Teach My Sheepadoodle to Swim?
If your Sheepadoodle doesn’t like to get in the water and swim, here are some of the steps you can follow:
- Be the lead
The first step is to lead your dog into the pool. Guide your puppy to the swimming pool and let it familiarize itself with the water. Avoid dropping your furry friend directly into the pool. It will make them scared and shocked instead.
Your goal is to make your dog love the water first and gradually teach it how to swim. It may be a long process, but be consistent and have patience. So, the first thing you need to do is lead your puppy to the pool. Furthermore, ensure that the water’s height shouldn’t be more than two inches.
- Use your puppy’s favorite toys or treat as props
As the puppy gets acquainted with water, the next step is to move deeper. Get your dog’s favorite toys or treats and toss them in the water to fetch them. It will lure your puppy to move deeper into the water without getting scared.
- Support or hold your dog’s belly
Once your dog is into the water, hold its belly underneath as support to keep its body flat and allow its leg to paddle. It will give your dog confidence and assurance to swim without fear. You can also make your puppy wear a life vest to support its underbelly. It will keep the body flat and allow its leg to paddle freely.
- Removal of support system
The following process is to remove the life vest from your Sheepadoodle once it has learned how to swim comfortably. Ensure that your dog isn’t scared to swim after removing the support. Additionally, increase the water level gradually to get used to deeper water.
These are some of the basic steps to teach Sheepadoodle to swim. The process might be slow, but it will learn if you’re consistent and patient.
Conclusion
Sheepadoodles are excellent swimmers as both their parents have this swimming trait. But some Poodles may not like getting into the water. Therefore, it’s advisable to teach your Sheepadoodles puppy how to swim from a young age. It will help them get used to water and overcome their fear and inhibitions. So, if you have a Sheepadoodle puppy, start the training process now.
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