Owners of Newfoundlands know this breed is great at rescue work, so does this mean they can also swim in cold water? Stick around as we reveal the answer to this question.
Yes! Newfoundland dogs are known for their affinity for water. They were even used to help fishermen haul nets out of the ocean. That being said, Newfoundlands can and will often enjoy swimming in the water, even if it happens to be cold.
In this post, we will dive deep into everything you know about Newfoundlands and their ability to swim in cold water, including their history with water and so much more!
History of Newfoundlands & Water
The breed of Newfoundland dogs, also known as the Newfie, were actually bred to do rescue work.
Their dense coat makes them resistant to cold temperatures and their natural layer of fat insulates them from the cold.
They are primarily known for rescuing people who had fallen in the water, but some Newfies also work at sea to rescue drowning sailors or save people who had fallen overboard. This is why Newfies are known as excellent swimmers.
“The fact that these dogs were bred to rescue people in danger in the water shows that these dogs can support themselves even in cold water.”
So much so that they can endure the cold temperatures while rescuing people that need their help.
Fishermen and hunters also used Newfoundland dogs for retrieving fish and game out of the waters near Newfoundland and keeping an eye on fishing nets while their owners were away during long trips at sea.
They would often be tasked with waiting onshore for their owners to return and would guide them back to shore if they were lost at sea. Additionally, the dogs would be taken on long trips for sealing expeditions.
They had to be able and willing to jump into cold water and then climb onto slippery ice floes to catch the seals that were there. By nature, Newfoundland dogs are generally calm and gentle animals and very protective of those around them.
This makes it possible to train a Newfoundland dog as a service animal, just like the Newfoundlands used by people who are blind or deaf.
“It is important to maintain a healthy exercise schedule for your Newfoundland dog, especially since many of them are so large.”
Swimming is an excellent way to stay active because it’s low-impact and doesn’t require additional equipment. It’s also really fun!
Before you start, it’s essential to have a plan with clear instructions for your Newfoundland dog. This is because they’re intelligent creatures that might try to take the lead.
Some Newfoundlands may take longer than others to learn to how to swim.
Still, if your dog likes playing fetch or has other water-related play preferences, swimming can be a lot of fun and should practically come naturally to a Newfoundland, given the way they were bred.
Why do Newfies Enjoy Swimming in Cold Water?
You may be wondering why Newfoundlands can swim in cold water. The answer may seem obvious, but this breed tends to enjoy swimming in cooler water because they have such thick fur.
The thickness of their fur and their large size causes them to overheat quite easily.
Therefore, swimming in cold water is the perfect way for these furballs to cool down, which explains why they enjoy it so much!
How Long Can a Newfoundland Stay in Cold Water?
A Newfoundland can stay in cold water for short periods. However, this will depend on how often the dog plays in cold water or water that isn’t warm enough.
If you want your dog to be able to stay in cold water for an extended period, they should have a fat coat and plenty of exercise before swimming.
Furthermore, the dog needs to be able to come out of the water whenever they want to. When encouraging Newfoundlands to swim in cold water, you should ensure this is done close to shore.
Newfoundlands should not be required to stay in cold water for too long. When they are tired or unable to swim, it’s time for them to come out of the water. If you want your Newfoundland to swim in cold water, they must have a very high tolerance for cold weather.
If this isn’t the case, then there is no way that they will be able to remain in cold water for extended periods, so don’t push them too far!
It is also possible for your Newfoundland to learn how to get on and off life rafts.
“The main thing here is safety; if you can get your dog used to wearing a life vest beforehand, that would be best. However, ensure they can get on and off the raft by themselves.“
It would help if you were sure that you wouldn’t push your Newfoundland too far when swimming in cold water. If you know for a fact they aren’t good swimmers, then don’t force them into cold water or they could panic and drown.
This is why it’s essential that even if they enjoy playing in the cold water, they should always have their life vest on whenever they’re near deep water.
You should also not insist that the dog swim all the way to shore, as this may stress them out. Instead of forcing it back onto land, allow them to jump out of the water at any point during playtime at their discretion. They may take themselves out of the water.
6 Signs Your Newfoundland Needs Help Swimming
Much like humans, when it comes to bringing your dog around water, safety should be a top priority.
That being said, you must be able to notice when Newfoundland struggle to swim and may require assistance. Here are six signs that this may be the case:
- Your Newfoundland shows obvious signs of exhaustion, including heavy breathing, rapid heartbeat, or extreme drooling after swimming.
- You notice that your dog’s head is above water for an extended period, or the head is submerged underwater for a prolonged amount of time.
- Your Newfoundland appears to be struggling with their footing on the bottom of the pool or body position in general (e.g., paddling with their hind legs).
- Your Newfoundland has not been able to keep up with you during swimming activities and seems exhausted after just a few minutes’ efforts.
- You notice that your dog’s nose and mouth remain below the water line for an extended period.
- Your Newfoundland is breathing in a labored manner after swimming or in a panicked manner while at the surface of the water.
Always approach swimming with caution, especially the first few times your Newfoundland experiences swimming in cold weather.
Until you are positive about your dog’s swimming abilities, stay close to shore, and consider purchasing a life vest for your dog for ultimate safety.
Newfoundland Skin Sensitivity
The skin of a Newfoundland dog is very sensitive, and any number of things can irritate it. The hair on these dogs also makes them more susceptible to environmental conditions such as cold, heat, sunburns, dryness from winter weather, or humidity from summer rain.
To help your Newfie stay comfortable in all sorts of environments, you should clean him with mild soap and water at least once a week – try not to use anything that contains alcohol or chemicals.
Usually, cold water will not irritate your dog’s skin, but it is certainly recommended to clean them well after being in the water to prevent skin irritation.
Helping Your Newfie Swim in Cold Water: 4 Helpful Tips
There are several tips and tricks to consider when helping Newfoundlands to swim safely and comfortably in cold water. Here are four tips for you:
1. Start training as a puppy.
You can start teaching your pup how to swim by filling up the bathtub and getting him used to being near it before he has any contact with the water. Once he seems comfortable around it, take him into the tub, so his feet are touching the bottom, and let him stand for a short period.
Gradually increase the time he stands in there until they can stay inside the tub comfortably and enjoy playing with you.
When your pup is comfortable around water, it’s time to gradually ease him into getting wet by adding small amounts of water to his feet.
After letting him get used to the feeling, start splashing a little bit more water at his legs and then moving up to his chest and body until he is fully submerged. If your dog struggles during any part of this training, back off for a while and try again later when he seems more relaxed.
2. Always supervise them!
It’s essential to supervise while your Newfie swims.
Despite the advantages that this breed has when it comes to swimming, there are still some dangers associated with letting your dog swim without supervision because dogs can’t tell when they’re getting tired and need help getting out of the water.
If your Newfoundland seems to be struggling, it is even more critical that you remain close to them while they swim.
This tip is very similar to the way you teach a toddler to swim. You should stay nice and close to your Newfoundland while they swim, much like you would with a young child. If anything goes wrong, you should be readily available to assist.
3. Prepare a warm towel.
It is important to dry off your dog with a warm towel because this will help them avoid catching any colds. Dogs take much longer to dry than humans do, so they use tongues and fur to absorb their bodies’ moisture.
Drying your dog off when it comes in from playing outside helps them maintain a healthy immune system and keeps them from getting sick.
This is particularly important when your Newfoundland finishes swimming (especially in cold water!). It will also comfort them after a nice cold but refreshing swim in the lake.
4. Exercise them in the cold.
Just because the winter months are upon us doesn’t mean you need to put your dog on a leash and refuse to let them outside. You can exercise your dog in the cold, as long as you do it gradually, and make sure they’re comfortable with it.
The first thing you’ll want to do is blow-dry their fur after a walk or playtime in the snow so that they don’t freeze once they come inside.
Next, give them hot water or food to drink before going back out into the cold – this will help keep their body temperature up and prevent hypothermia from setting in if they’re outside for more than 15 minutes at a time.
By getting your Newfoundland used to the cold, it will not be as much of a shock on their body when they enter the cold water. Thus, they will find it much easier to adapt to the cold water this way.
Final thoughts
There you have it, all the reasons why Newfoundlands can swim in cold water and everything you need to know before you let them!
Remember that safety always comes first around water, even more so in cold water. Take your time and never pressure your Newfoundland into doing things they don’t want to do.
