which dogs are the best swimmers?

Poida-- musta been valuable dogs to go thru the expense of the Duffle bag , My concern would have been the great whites attracted to the scent when trying to retrieve it. Powerquest he's just yanking your chain

 

My shepherd can chase geese around the lake for 30-40 minutes at a time... whereas my lab is a wader and that's it.

 

Viking I can understand Powerquest not having a sense of humour. If you can't tell the difference between a Boat Forum and a Pet Forum you don't really have a sense of anything.

I don't know how the moderator fits this thread into the section, "All Things Boats and Boating."

 

Lots of people have sea dogs...some are better suited than others and some are totally off breed norm and love the water when the breed is normally know for not being water dogs. Many people have only their animal (s) as company and take them along on board as a matter of course. Seems like a perfectly suited discussion on a boating forum.

 

It's not good to choose a dog by a single ability because every dog is more than just that single thing and other things have to fit as well..

To get sound advice about the dog you need to put up more info about yourself, your living situation, your family, your and their habits, the purpose you want the dog for and what you expect from him besides swimming . . . . . .

The best general fit between you and the dog will be the best dog for you..

Good luck..!!
Angel

PS - if you want a shipdog you're no good skipper if he has to swim all day . .

 

Poida re the subject you are 100% correct according to Forum rules it must be related to boating so as indicated by Lewisboats, I propose to the OP to change the thread to" Which Boat Dogs are the best swimmers." Actually thats how these strong swimming breeds got to North America as working ships dogs.The Portugese water dog (boat dog)being the earliest and most famous of the breeds whose genes and traits are part of the modern day Newfoundland and Labrador bred animals. Speaking of breeds and traits -- all modern day bred St Bernards now contain the Newfoundland genes so i guess we can also list it as a part ship(boat) dog. This cross breeding was to offset negative inbreeding traits that were showing up in the St. Bernard. My preference for my next pet would be a cross between a Lab(boat dog) and a Rhodesian Ridge Back(lion dog) --I think this would make a nice animal and reduce the inbreeding traits that are starting to show up in Labs. Now I've got to figure a way to steer my other post "Tid bits of info on North America toward boats. Got it, when posting about the United States include the Americas Cup -- Geo.

Just re read this thread--I'm confused -- I get scolded and personally attacked -- by a poster who previously commited the same crime-- Poida whats up with that

 

Newfoundlands are legendary for their stamina and swimming ability. The Italian coast gaurd deploys them as "rescue swimmers" from helicopters and boats.

http://www.waterrescuedogs.com/

 

Ya Michael I recall that visitors advisory in the St John's newspaper some five years ago. Newfoundlanders were advised not to visit Italy as there was something about them throwing us our of helicopters
Being serious yes I do recall that being written up in a magazine along with photos--amazing animals

 

took the freedom to add the pic . .

Cheers,
Angel

 

The other legendary water dog is the " Cao de Agua " sometimes called the "seadog". " lion dog" or Portuguese water dog. In the age of sailing ships they were trained to swim from ship to ship, at sea , to pass messages. They were also trained to herd fish into nets.

 

Thank you Angelique, thats the very photo--Just amazing. Yes Michael the very dog I mentioned in post #21, they are also included in Newfoundland history books and in as most likely part of the origional breeding stock that eventually became known as the St. John's water dog which in turn is the primary base breed of the Lab.

 

I would suggest you take into account other considerations about a pet first and not its swimming abilities as most all dogs swim, some better than others but will they always be swimming or doing other dog things?

I'm surprised the weimerhiner (sp?) has not been mentioned, very gental family dog, very protective, very active dog and they are the only dog that naturally will swim under water, like go down ten feet, and that have webbing (skin) between their toes..... Mine use to pull the kids in an innertube by a rope in her mouth!

I had a lab too, he would mind his manners until he knew he had an opportunity to be unleashed within sight of the lake, then he would take off without any notice into a dead run and leap in the water to go swimming, then having the smell of wet dog on the way home...

 

The lab is about the best, for one simple reason (there are several) they have huge lung capacity, which gives them endurance. Other dogs also have this feature and I don't think there's any best among them, but the lab has many other things going for it, compared to other breeds. Webbed toes, double coat, intelligence, durability, good nose, well mannered and easy to train, etc., etc., etc. It's difficult to beat this combination, unless you need a bigger dog.

I have two of them and they have unbounded endurance, even in hot Florida weather. Unless you need a bigger dog, say for rescue, where a dog like the Nuffee might show better, an 80 pound Lab will get it done.

Lastly don't underestimate intelligence. Laps are considered some of the smartest of all and this can go a long way in training, problem solving, staying focused or on task, etc. An average dog can recognize 200 - 300 human words, but a smart dog can double this. Quite an advantage over other breeds.

 

Also thrown out of helicopters to put CJ out of her job



PAR, Nuffee = Newfoundlander -- if so, Labs & Nuffees . .

Cheers,
Angel

PS - from the last link ‘‘mostly newfoundlands but with a smattering of labradors’’ what does 'smattering' mean here

Ah.. found it, in this context it's... 'a small amount'

 

Best swimmer or best boat dog??

BIG difference.