Are you looking for a water-loving canine to add to your brood? Let’s take a look at a few dogs that love the water and talk about what makes them a great pup for your family!
It probably won’t come to much of a shock that the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a great water dog. These dogs, also known as “chessies”, have a water-resistant double coat. This gives them the ability to stand up to cold water, and more rugged water conditions. They are fairly high energy dogs that are affectionate, bright, and sensitive. These dogs tolerate hot and cold weather, and their history as hunting/retrieving dogs leads them to be smart, healthy, and generally pretty trainable.
Golden Retrievers are active, fun, and happy dogs who love to be near (and in) the water. They have water repellent coats, and typically have no problems running headfirst straight into the water or jumping off a boat into lakes and rivers. These typically happy dogs are great with kids, other dogs, strangers, and pretty much any human who wants to give them attention. There’s more shedding and drooling than some other breeds, but that’s a small thing to consider when it comes to the fact they’re easy to train, smart, and active. So if you’re looking for a dog to take out for your runs on the beach, the golden retriever is the perfect dog for you.
An interesting fact about the Labrador Retriever is that they were originally fisherman dogs. Their ease of care, health, and grooming makes these animals great for people who need a dog they can take with them. They make great sidekicks, but don’t do well being left alone for long periods of time. These playful dogs do like swimming, running, and have high amounts of energy. Is it the kind of man’s best friend that you need while you’re on the water? That’s for you to decide!
The poodle is a popular dog, but not many people realize it’s a water-loving animal. The Standard Poodle is known more for obedience competitions and dog shows but the dog was originally a water retrieving dog. These very friendly dogs are great for the most novices of dog owners but do require someone willing to keep them groomed and stick with them through any possible health issues. Beyond that, these dogs are great for those who love the water and want to spend their days doing the doggie paddle with their doggie.
Believe it or not, some of our best-surfing dogs that we’ve discovered during our Gnarly Crankin’ K-9 WaveMaker tour have been Coppertone, a dachshund, and Sully, an English bulldog! Go figure!
By Doc Halligan
