DO BOXERS LIKE TO SWIM?

[NELIA1313]

My boxer is 6 months old. We will be taking him to the cottage this summer. Can anyone tell me if their boxer likes to swim in the lake? I've been told they're not great swimmers because they are so chest heavy. Is this correct?

Clyde's Mom, Brindle, Cropped & Docked

 

[Nashville]

I'm not sure if all Boxers like to swim (Gina is my first one) but, she showed us last night that she likes it. My 8 yr. old Rottie Cow mix loves to swim and whenever we walk her to the little pond near our home she jumps right in. Gina (5 1/2 month old) usually just runs along the bank but, not last night. She just looked as us, as if to ask permission, and jumped right in. We paniced (just a little) but, she proved to be a fine swimmer and appeared to really like it. This could be unusual. Hope yours likes it as well.

 

[tucknspence]

:eek:
Rottie Cow???
LOL!!!

 

[SueinAZ]

Samson likes the garden hose and irrigation sprinklers but stays away from the pool. He has been in a few times but tends to sink and then gets scared. I've been told that because of their muscle mass they have trouble floating (no fat to be bouyant).

 

[catcompany]

Originally posted by tucknspence
:eek:
Rottie Cow???
LOL!!!

That's a real strange breed....... The absence of H really makes it funny.

Draco one day jumped into the bayou after a couple of ducks and he enjoyed the swim. I was totally freaked out ..but he kind of swam after the duckies!!

 

[Billysmum]

Like Nashville, my Boxer doesn't swim - just paddles, but my Rottweiler loves to swim. Although at the moment I think the lake is too cold, because he hasn't even bothered to paddle.

Billy likes to sloosh his face in the water and blow bubbles!

 

[Debbie Magon]

All our boxers are excellent swimmers. The secret to swimming is you must get into the water, support them in your arms and teach them. The sooner the better, but we have taught older boxers as well. NZ has very long hot summers so it is my husbands one great doggie duty to teach each new youngster to swim. They eventually learn to swim like dolphins and are hard to get out of the water!! Lack of body fat and large amounts of muscle will not affect the ability of any animal to swim. Ever seen a fat ,muscleless distance swimmer? So hop into that pool , river, lake and get going, holding the dog up for confidence and not expecting miracles for at least a few weeks of lessons.Handy tip: wear a thick tee shirt as boxer claws are big ! Debbie Camino Kennels http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/boxers/index.html
Also see boxer gallery ( soon) for pics of Rose swimming

 

[Nashville]

Rottie COW!

Okay..so I was in a hurry..Well at least I gave a few of u a laugh. I must say, I am very glad Ursula (my Rottie cHow) can't read. She has gained a few pounds this last year,but she is still very beautiful and would be quite upset about this COW thing.

 

[lfeltz]

Oscar loves to swim!

just last weekend, 35 degrees and snowing here in Michigan, OScar jumped right in to my brothers just recently thawed pond! He swam around, actually dove for a stick, and acted like this was perfectly natural! All I could do was laugh and run for the towels so he wouldn't freeze in place! They're sooo much fun!

 

[jicksies]

....to swim or not to swim...

I have three rambunctious boxers but only one is a "waterdog". I took all three to the Puget Sound recently and my Barley boy dove right in! It was his first time at the Sound and had nooo hesitation...I screamed thinking he was a goner, but lo' and behold, the good ole dog paddle kicked in and he LOVED IT!I relaxed after I saw how much fun he was having. I did, however, watch him VERY carefully for signs of fatigue, etc. I was at the ready even though I truly had NO DESIRE to dive into that FREEZING WATER! But as you know, We will do anything for our Boxers!Bumper and Booder mostly waded in the water, just sloshing about but never went in over their heads. Every boxer is different I guess...