There is more to throw and fetch or stroll to bond with your dog. On a hot summer day, you would want your Labradoodles to join you in your outdoor inflatable pool. You might even want to take it on a fishing or boating trip. But do Labradoodles like water?
Labradoodles absolutely adores water. Due to their heritage as working dogs, they are great at adapting to the waters and can spend hours in it if allowed.
It is essential to know how your dog will react to water or introduce it to water if it is a bit hesitant. However, dogs are playful and agile by nature, but not all dogs like water. You would notice that some dogs will begin to howl and quickly come put when put into water, while others are seen surfing and playing in the water for hours.
Labradoodles Are Expert Swimmers!
Unlike cats that are averse to swimming, dogs are known to be expert swimmers.
Here are 16 dog breeds that are natural swimmers, some of which even have the word ‘water’ in their names:
- Irish Water Spaniel
- American Water Spaniel
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Spanish Water Dog
- Otterhound
- Labrador Retriever
- Barbet
- Lagotto Romagnolo
- Boykin Spaniel
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- Curly Coated Retriever
- Newfoundland
- English Setter
- Flat-Coated Retriever
- Standard Poodle.
Dog breeds that don’t like water
Some dog breeds that don’t like water are
- Chihuahua
- Shih Tzu
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Pug
- Pekingese
- Boxer
- Maltese
- Pomeranian.
Are Labradoodles Water Dogs?
If you retake a closer look at the list of 16 water dogs, you will notice that both the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle feature in the list. It merely means that the Labradoodle is a mix of two water dogs, and hence they can also be considered water dogs and like playing or swimming in water.
Though the Labradoodle can be considered a water dog, it may initially show some hesitation. Don’t worry if that happens. It would help if you instead tried to gradually and creatively introduce it to water. Considering that the Labradoodle has a genetic make-up of a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, it should not be difficult to get them to adjust to the water.
The use of Labrador and Poodle as waterfowl retrievers
Hunters have been known to use Labradors to retrieve waterfowls in their hunting trips. As they are categorized as water dogs, they are excellent swimmers besides being active sports dogs. Similarly, the Poodle has also been used as a waterfowl retriever in France and is a strong swimmer.
The Poodle’s hairstyle prevents them from being weighed down by wet fur when they dive into the water and keep them warm. It later went on to become a fashion.
Why are Water Dogs Important?
You might ask why it is important to know if your dog can easily adjust to water or not like water. Well, water dogs can be beneficial in numerous ways. You might have also seen many Youtube videos of dogs rescuing toddlers from drowning. But there is more to water dogs than simply saving lives.
In ancient times, water dogs were used by sailors to retrieve an object that might have been lost on the sea. In ancient Rome, they were also referred to as “lion dogs” because their coat was trimmed and shaped to make it look like a lion. This clipping was to help it swim better in water and not get bogged down by the weight of its wet fur.
In Europe, water dogs have also been employed by hunters to retrieve ducks and other fowls from swamps.
Water dogs were also said to be employed in the Spanish Armada. In modern times, they are still used by fishermen in countries like Spain and Portugal.
Helping your Labradoodle adjust to water
Dogs, in some ways, are like humans. They have distinct personalities. As your Labradoodle has the genetic make-up of two breeds, they might react differently to water. While some may adjust to the water quicker, others may be a bit hesitant. It is, however, improbable that a Labradoodle would not like water. In case it is initially reluctant, be patient. It is just the new environment that is trying to understand at its own pace.
Start simple. Don’t rush your dog!!
Let your dog acclimatize to water at its own pace. Please don’t take it to the sea right away. That could be overwhelming. Instead, you can buddy swim with it in a shallow pool that is slopping. If you make the process appear fun, it will start playing with you and eventually get acclimatized to water before knowing it.
Introduce Labradoodle pups to water at home.
Before you take out your Labradoodle pup into bigger water bodies, you can give them some prelude or introduction right at your home. You can start with the shallow area of a swimming pool or inflatable pools.
Remember, as Labradoodle are water dogs, you can start early. If your puppy is brimming with life and continually playing, it is the right time to introduce it to water. If you make the entire process creative and fun, it should not be difficult to make your dog love the water.
Once you are confident that your dog can manage itself well in smaller settings, you can consider introducing bigger water bodies. However, you would still need to ensure that your Labradoodle has all the safety gears and expert supervision.
Do Labradoodles Like Water
If you are contemplating on getting a Labradoodle, go right ahead. It makes a great family member. It won’t scare guests away as it is known to be friendly even with strangers. It also makes a great therapeutic and service dog. It is every ready to help you in any manner possible.
You can take it out on trips, hunting, or even your evening strolls. It is a charming breed to own, but the different ways it can help you are an absolute bonus.
Some of My Favorite Products For Dog Owners
I hope this article has helped you just a bit in everyday life as a dog owner. Being a dog owner for more than 25 years myself, I’ve tried an abundance of different products with varying success, but these products below are some that I can highly recommend to every dog and their owner without hesitation!
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If you’re looking for the most up-to-date recommendations, check out my recommended products section that I’ve created to help every dog owner!
