Can Boxers swim? Mine sink like stones!!

[LiLBiZzounce]

We took Sadie & Katahdin out to the lake yesterday for some friendly romping and dipping in the water. They loved it but made sure they stayed out of the deep part! They can not swim. They sink like stones! We saw another dog (black lab) there and they spotted him about the time we did. We went over to him and they played together well. We were hoping that as they were watching him running in & out of the water with no fear as well as swimming with no bounderies that they would catch on. But no! As tempting as it looked, they always maintained their distance as they found themselves in too deep, just waited for the dog to swim back to their acceptable depth of water. So I ask this... Can Boxers swim? And how does a Boxer learn to swim? Is it naturally or do we bring them out in the deep end like when our children were taught when they were young? Any suggestions would be welcome!

 

[Super Boo]

My female (who is huge) cannot swim. My male (who thinks he's a labrador) has fallen into our spa and also gotten washed out to sea (went out way too far) has proven that he can swim. I think--in a pinch--they can swim, but not for very long due to their bulk and long thin legs.

 

[boxer mommy]

both my babies hate the water! We put them in the pool to teach them where the stairs were and they panicked and thrashed so hard my BF was clawed to death! One time Otto pushed Cassius in and he sank...I went into panic mode jumped in(it was DEC!!)and got him. But I know he can swim to the side and pull himself out!
But they want nothing to do with swimming!
S

 

[Steven Menk]

To some degree I think all dogs can swim, but Boxers aren't made for it. They're dense so they sink and don't have very good padles compared to water dogs.

 

[Coco'smommy]

I read a lot on here about how boxer's have a hard time swimming. I was really concerned about our pup until I got her in water. She does wonderful and absolutely loves to swim and play in the water. There are some that don't tho..so I think it's just another one of those things that vary depending on the dog. We found out Coco could swim when she chased my nephew right off the diving board into the swimming pool. She sank for a minute and I panicked and headed to her and then got myself together and said wait for a min and see how she reacts. She came right up to the top within seconds and was paddling and swimming herself around. Swam right over to the edge to get out. We had to help her out of the pool of course but then she got out and ran over to the towels and started snorting and wiping her face. Obviously she got water up her nose when she dove in but then came right back for more. She loved chasing the kids around and into the pool. I ended up returning the life jacket I had purchased cause she didn't need it.

 

[BoxerRock]

The first time we put Carley in our pool she sank to the bottom so we had to get her out. My husband took her in several times after that but supported her so she could learn the dog-paddle movement. He wore a wetsuit so he wouldn't get scratched up. We got her a life-jacket at Petco and put her in a few times so that she could do it solo and now she swims by herself with no life-jacket. We were very concerned at first because she loves the water and she heads straight for the pool (on the steps) when she goes out back. That first time all the way in was a disaster. Her legs were going every which way and she sank like she was tied to an anchor! Happily, the answer is "yes", they can learn to swim. My husband was very patient and took care not to make it scary for her. She swims well now and we don't have to worry about her falling in.
The Rocks and Carley

 

[high octane]

My 4 year old male is part fish. He swims with my husband all the time, he just loves the water. Odin is always swimming after geese or loons, he goes in for dips just to cool off. I take him to the dog park and people are alway asking what breed he is because apparently boxers can't swim. Odin is definatley the exception to the rule. My 11 male Vex thinks that Odin is crazy. While Odin is out swiming Vex stands on the shore and barks at him. Vex would only swim out of necessity.

 

[Sirus'Mommy]

Sirus (like most Boxers) has like, 0% body fat...this fact does not help him in the pool arena! He use to just sink...now he's starting to get a little better. He gets himself halfway across the pool and then just dies!

Sirus never even liked the pool until my parents got their Lab...who loves to swim!

I don't know if it's just my Boxer or if it's got to do with the Breed as a whole...but Sirus doesn't use his back legs when he's swimming. This also may have to do with the sinking. Because we noticed when he does use his back legs to swim...which isn't very often...he floats a lot better...take note next time you watch your furry friend swim to see if he/she uses their back legs.

 

[D'sMom]

Dasia swims like a fish! When she was young we introduced her to water and wanted her to learn to swim. We would throw treats in a bit then her toys and she would pace the beach and you can see she really wanted to go in but was too scared. Finally she went out and the first time she sank! I almost went in after her. But a few seconds later she popped back up and started paddling. She know leaps and belly flops into the water and can swim across small deep rivers.

She hangs out in the water just paddling in circles sometimes. Bianca doesn't care much for the water. She will play in it but only because Dasia is in it. She even has grabbed Dasia's leash and dragged her out of the water cuz she wanted to play OUTSIDE of the water. :D

 

[Mel C]

I have a hard time keeping Diesel out of the water! He loves to swim and retrieve toys in the water.
Unlike his mother, Cooper...she'll walk in the water but that’s about it...
My b/f had her swimming once; it was actually kinda funny...
She had this funny look on her face. She made sure she was air tight....forcing her mouth closed while she swam to shore!

PS: Both my dogs used all 4 legs to swim