The Great Pyrenees is a larger dog breed, so many people often wonder if they are good swimmers. After all, many large dogs have the instinct to swim no matter what water they are in.
Most Great Pyrenees are good swimmers. However, their ability and preference to swim will differ among the breed. Factors such as individual personality traits and upbringing will determine if your Great Pyrenees can swim.
To ensure the safety and enjoyment of your Great Pyrenees, you need to know about their swimming ability. We developed this guide to answer all your questions.
Are the Great Pyrenees Good Swimmers?
The Great Pyrenees can swim, but their abilities and preferences will depend on the breed, individual personality traits, temperament, and much more. That is because the primary aim of creating this breed was for hunting.
According to the history of this breed, they were used for hunting, then assisted shepherds in herding dogs, and finally, French royalty.
Now, they serve mainly as companions for their owners. That is why they never had access to significant and massive water bodies where their ancestors were bred. So, most of the breed may also avoid going in the water.
Check out the lovely Great Pyrenees below during his first swimming lesson!
Do the Great Pyrenees Like Swimming?
You will notice that most Great Pyrenees do not like swimming. They will go above and beyond to avoid going in the water. However, some dogs in this breed like to swim, so you should assess this on a case-by-case basis.
Remember that even if the furry companion likes swimming, you must offer them supervision. The size of this breed offers a significant disadvantage while swimming, which is why you need to be present at all times.
You may be interested in – The Ultimate Great Pyrenees Guide – All Questions Answered!
Should You Let Your Great Pyrenees Swim?
The answer to this depends on whether they like to swim or the Great Pyrenees. That is because if your furry friend likes to swim, you should not stop them from doing so.
After all, swimming is one of the best exercises that dogs can indulge in, as it has many health benefits.
On the other hand, if the Great Pyrenees do not like the water, there isn’t a reason to force them to do so. That is why you must tune into what your Great Pyrenees likes and dislikes.
Is It Safe for a Great Pyrenees Dog to Swim?
It would be best if you remembered that the Great Pyrenees is a giant dog breed with a coat of two layers.
Because of this, they are much heavier and larger than other dog breeds. For example, the biggest adult male of this breed can weigh a hundred pounds or even more.
That is why the breed does not do well with coping with water. If your furry companion likes to swim, you can be there and offer supervision while they swim.
It will offer them the safety they need while swimming in the water.
What are the Health Issues to Watch for?
All dog breeds have specific health issues you must keep in mind. For example, the Great Pyrenees is known to have Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, and Patellar Luxation.
These conditions are common in large and giant breeds as they carry too much weight.
However, swimming is a simple exercise that can help keep them active without using these joints. Of course, you still need to keep an eye on these issues once your Great Pyrenees is done swimming.
Besides that, the breed has floppy ears, which makes it prone to ear infections.
If bacteria and yeast get inside the inner ear, they can begin growing and stir up infections. Unfortunately, going inside the water can make the problem even worse for the breed.
That is especially true in bodies of fresh water where there are many natural fungi and bacteria that can get inside the ears.
After the Great Pyrenees are finished swimming in the water, ensure their inner ears are dried properly.
By doing so, you will decrease the risk of ear infections. Besides that, it will also guarantee that they don’t develop ear infections in the future.
Should a Great Pyrenees Dog Be Allowed to Swim?
If your Great Pyrenees likes to go in the water, there is no reason why they should not be allowed to swim.
However, if you want to maximize the safety of your Great Pyrenees, you must ensure that they know how to swim. Because of this, you can teach them and introduce them to water to improve their skills.
After all, you wouldn’t want a situation to appear where your dog is in the water, and they don’t know how to come out because of its weight.
So, if your Great Pyrenees like the water, you can allow them and go with them in the water. Once you do, they will learn how to swim in no time.
Will Your Great Pyrenees Swim If They Need To?
All dogs have an instinct for swimming, which is why they will swim when they need to. There are many instances where this breed has gone into the water to help someone else.
“While the Great Pyrenees are not considered good swimmers, they will swim when required.“
It, therefore, makes sense to teach your dog how to remain safe when out in the water.
Can You Teach a Great Pyrenees to Swim?
There are some excellent ways you can teach your Great Pyrenees to get used to the water and learn how to swim.
Because of this, the Great Pyrenees will also not do well with water the first time because the breed’s history doesn’t include much swimming.
However, you can teach the Great Pyrenees to swim. The key here is to teach them early in their lives, so they build up their confidence.
“Of course, you must ensure they begin with shallow water and are wearing a life vest.”
During this journey, you can also offer them lots of treats and encouragement to learn. On the other hand, if your Great Pyrenees dislike water, please don’t force them to swim.
You can teach them other activities if they don’t like swimming.
Where Can You Take Your Great Pyrenees to Swim?
You can take your Great Pyrenees to any body of water, even if they are not good swimmers. However, it is best to avoid freshwater bodies because they pose a higher risk of ear infections.
If you take them to a freshwater body, you must clean their ears and dry them thoroughly after the swim.
On the other hand, if you take them to a chlorinated pool, you must rinse them afterward. Besides that, you also need to ensure that the chlorine is not too high.
That is because high chlorine levels can be dangerous for the Great Pyrenees as they lick themselves after taking a bath.
So, wherever you take your Great Pyrenees to swim, you must take all the relevant precautions. This ensures their safety and reduces the risk of health issues from swimming in deep waters.
Things To Remember When Swimming with Your Great Pyrenees
Having the correct information is key to swimming with your Great Pyrenees. Here are the top things you must remember:
Get A Life Jacket for Your Dog
Always get a life jacket that your Great Pyrenees can wear while swimming. It will allow them to feel safe in the water. Besides that, their weight will not push them inside the water as the life jacket will keep them buoyant.
Always Offer Supervision
Never leave your Great Pyrenees in the water alone. Be sure you are always ready to handle them and help them if they need it.
Never Force
Finally, it would be best if you never forced the Great Pyrenees to swim. If they don’t like the water, you must let them be.
Final thoughts
If you own a Great Pyrenees, you need to know if they are good swimmers.
We recommended you follow these guidelines when it comes to their swimming. It will ensure that your dog has a safe experience and can learn how to swim for maximum enjoyment.
