If you own a French Bulldog, then you are not new to the myth that French Bulldogs cannot swim. Yes, we regard it as myth because in this post, we are delving really deep into a much better understanding of French Bulldog swimming activities. By the end of this post, our goal is arrive at a more fact based understanding around this subject.
COVERED IN THIS PIECE:
By way of laying a foundation, you are going to learn:
Why French Bulldogs are naturally not good at swimming
Reasons why they may not be able to swim on their own
The anatomy of a French Bulldog
The health and wellness benefits of swimming for a French Bulldog
How your French Bulldog can swim
Benefits of Swimming for your French Bulldog
How to swim together with your French Bulldog
The importance of swimming together with your French Bulldog
Important precautions to take
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Why French bulldogs aren’t Good Swimmers
You decide that you are up for a day out because the day is sunny and warm, and the weather is peachy.
Preferably for a swim.
Your adorable pair of Frenchie want to tag along, and what else would make the day even better than to let them do just that.
You grab your kayak and paddle, dress up for the occasion and make your way over to the small lake close to your home. You grab your phone and take a few pictures of your dogs on the water’s edge.
It’s time to swim.
You jump in and feel the water satisfy you, and then you insist your pooches join you.
NO! Never try to do that. At least, without knowing the basics of Swimming Frenchie 101.
This article will tell you why Frenchies are not a very good swimmer.
Reasons why they can’t swim
You may have seen lots of dogs of different breeds out in the water and doing some awesome skills that they probably have always had. Innately and suddenly, you think your darling little pups may be able to do the same.
The fact is, they can’t, and they are certainly not like other dogs.
Your French bulldogs may be one of the easiest dogs to cater to, and they may be costly on the low maintenance side.
The anatomy of a Frenchie is one important thing you should look into to see if your dog is properly equipped to take up swimming lessons or pose for a photo in the pool.
In general, bulldog breeds possess this feature of anatomy; Brachycephalic is the squashed face factor you notice in their species or breed.
This feature may seem cute and squishy, but in reality, this makes the little animals prone to more health problems than many other breeds of dogs. The short nasal passages make room for many respiratory issues that they may have.
Other things about their anatomy to know before letting them swim apart from their flat snouts are their bulky torsos, thick muscles, and heavy bones, which aren’t built to float easily in water.
In considering why Frenchie are not good swimmers, there is the factor of exhaustion and humidity, which may affect even the young and slim ones. Although only a few are slim, when they use the pool, they tend to get exhausted very quickly. Hence the need for a live jacket.
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If you want to enjoy swimming with your dog, you NEED to take many precautions and keep a third eye on your dog as soon as they enter the water. And because of their numerous health challenges, ensure they don’t get any water accidents as you train/teach them to get used to water.
The first is consulting a professional dog swimming expert on your dog’s needs if needed.
·You need to invest in proper and quality dog swimming vests for their enjoyment and safety in the water.
Make sure that the pools you put them in are NOT deep but shallow, and their heads aren’t tilted upwards too high to avoid the water.
If any problems arise whatsoever from water accidents with your swimming Frenchie DO NOT HESITATE to take it or them to the vet to get checked up.
This may be sad news for you but the fact remains that your Frenchie can still swim if you follow the right guidelines. The reason why Frenchie cannot swim are natural and has to do with their anatomy. Hence you will need a lot of patience to be able to ensure that they swim.
The Health and Wellness Benefits of Swimming for French Bulldogs
Because they are top-heavy and have more muscle for their small size, French Bulldogs can’t swim on their own just like other dog breeds. To keep them safe and sound because of their wide range of health issues, you have to keep an eye on your puppy. It’s better to be safe and help them get the health and wellness benefits of swimming.
A great and easy way to fix this is to buy them an appropriately-sized life jacket for small dogs, but never leave your Frenchie unsupervised or outside for too long! Because they are top-heavy, Frenchie’ back legs won’t develop as much muscle as their front legs. Do not let them leap or jump off high couches, sofas, beds, or any tall place.
How Your French Bulldog Can swim?
For some people, swimming safely for French bulldogs may equal studying rocket science, but it’s still doable. With the health issues they are saddled with, the little dogs tend to have more on their plate when they get to swimming, and that is why the first part of this write-up began with a precaution.
Swimming may be a chore and less of enjoyment for French bulldogs, but when done right, you’d see the benefits it has for them and see that they need to enjoy it as much as other beautiful dog breeds do.
With the help of doggie life jackets and your undivided attention and supervision, the benefits of swimming will be enjoyed by your Frenchie.
Benefits of Swimming
There are several health and wellness benefits for swimming for French bulldogs. A few dog owners may not understand the need for your Frenchie to be a good swimmer, but the fact remains that swimming comes with its benefits and also for your French bulldog too.
Cool off some heat
In the hot months that may come, your French Bulldog will, like other dogs, love to cool off and enjoy the cool water on their small bodies. To ensure their comfort and safety too, get the little doggie children pool, so their paws touch the ground, and they don’t have to keep their heads tilted.
Exercise and keep fit
Another benefit for a Frenchie from swimming is to exercise their top body muscles. These dogs are muscular for their small size, and even though they have running around as a good exercise, they also can enjoy the benefits of a good swim on their muscles.
Swimming will help shed some excess weight they have gotten and ensure they are just the right weight for their age. Hence a routine swimming practice is just right for your Frenchie.
Cardiovascular health
One of the health and wellness benefits of swimming for French bulldogs is improved heart health. Swimming has a particular impact on the cardiovascular system of both humans and dogs. For your Frenchie, their heart health will definitely improve as soon as you create a swimming routine.
Eliminate Stress
Frenchie are playful dogs yet they can get into fits of stress and mood swings. If you take them out regularly for swimming, you will be able to address and put a stop when they are stressed. However, ensure you don’t make it too often so it does not become boring. A twice in a month routine for swimming for your Frenchie is perfect.
Because of health issues that they may have, French bulldogs may be in a good need of a good swim. As fun and relaxing as it is for other dogs, the Frenchie may find its needed health benefit in swimming. Just the proper care and equipment, and they are good to go.
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How to Swim Together With Your French bulldog?
Who doesn’t love to cool off on a hot day with friends and family to join in the fun? Dogs do, too.
On the other hand, French Bulldogs would love to also if they weren’t stranded with the reduced help from their anatomy and almost endless health issues. But as an owner and friend, there are ways that we can make our friendly doggies join us in our swimming activities.
Our doggy friends are also meant to enjoy swimming like us, and just as it has benefits for us humans, it also has special health benefits for the adorable animals.
French bulldogs may be small and vulnerable, but with our help, they can enjoy the wonderful benefits it brings them.
Importance of swimming together with your Frenchie
Swimming will help you and your Frenchie bond more. The whole exercise and running around will increase the way you relate. Swimming is a form of exercise. It will keep your Frenchie fit and energetic. Swimming is a proper way for your Frenchie to cool off especially during the heat of the day. Since they are not good swimmers, swimming with them will ensure that they are safe and no harm will come to them.
Precautions
When coming to the pool, ensure your Frenchie is on a leash. This is to prevent him from running off into the side of the pool where you may not want it.
Also, ensure your Frenchie is used to water. Some French bulldogs will run off when they get close to water. Gradually, you should make your Frenchie get used to being around water.
Swimming together
To swim together with your doggy pet, the French bulldog, we should know the harm it could bring to them, and so many protective ways that they can enjoy swimming have been created especially for them and other dogs that have these problems.
The first thing to know about a French bulldog for swimming is its anatomy. Apart from their little bodies and heavy muscular build-up and squashed-up faces, we should know that this anatomy will impede their swimming abilities.
For example, their top body muscles, which are more than the muscles behind them in their hind legs and hips, will stop them from being able to swim properly like most swimmer dogs. Their heavy top body parts will be the reason for their automatic sinking instead of floating when they enter a body of water.
Prevention of this mishap will be to get little dog life jackets or vests which will be worn on the little dogs so that when they enter the water, they would float perfectly and be able to use their legs to kick against the water without sinking. Hence when you ask how to swim together with your French bulldog, you should think of a life jacket.
Another help to get your dog’s enjoying the hot days in the cool water with you would be to make sure that the pool they are in is shallow and allow for the French bulldog’s legs to touch the ground.
This is important as it helps their head tilted high above the water. Not doing this could cause an imbalance in their posture and cause a health problem to kick in. Their anatomy cannot allow for swimming hence using a shallow pool is one of the bailout.
When they are in a little kiddie pool, it will be more fun for them without fearing for their lives to keep their head out of the water and enjoy, at the same time, a good swim. Hence, apart from a life jacket, you could also think of a shallow pool when you are trying to think of how to swim together with your French bulldog.
Finally, another thing you can do is to employ an experienced dog trainer to teach your precious dogs how to swim. As different breeds of the French bulldog are out there and popular, it is fairly easy to get a good trainer who can teach them to swim so that when and if your attention is not on them, they can easily find their way when they seem trapped in a body of water. This can help you, and they enjoy swimming activities without bothering about the lives of your French bulldogs.
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