Great Pyrenees are known for their large size and friendly personality.
But, can these large dogs swim, and do they even like water? In today’s post, I’ll be answering these questions about your dog in detail.
Some people might think these are obvious questions to ask. Still, you want to make sure your dog stays safe and healthy when doing new activities.
Not all dogs like water and swimming.
In some cases, a dog might not have the natural instincts or inclination towards swimming.
This is why you might be wondering do Great Pyrenees like water and can Great Pyrenees swim.
I’ve done all the research necessary on this subject this way you can have your questions answered.
So, let’s dive in!
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Do Great Pyrenees Like Water?
Before we talk about whether your dog can swim, you have to consider whether or not they even like the water.
Some dogs have an aversion to water and won’t go in. Luckily, this is not the case with Great Pyrenees.
If you want to swim with your dog or take them to a lake or beach this can be a lot of fun.
Your great pyrenees will love the water and will most likely try to hop in the water and go near the shoreline.
Still how much your dog likes water will depend on a few factors.
First, if you help your dog in the water and make the experience enjoyable then this will make them like water more.
However, if your dog is thrown into rough currents or the deep end the first time they encounter water things could change.
So, I recommend being gentle with your dog and letting them discover water, and swimming at their own pace.
Always make sure to watch them too for safety reasons.
Can Great Pyrenees Swim?
You might doubt that your Great Pyrenees is able to swim. Looking at their size and the amount of fur they have it makes sense.
You may think that your dog will sink to the bottom of the water. But this is not the case at all.
Even a giant dog like the Great Pyrenees will be able to swim.
These herding dogs are bred to be active and have physical attributes that make them ideal swimmers.
While your dog does have double-coated fur, their second layer of fur is waterproof.
Coupled with their large webbed paws and powerful muscles, your dog will have no issues swimming.
But, be careful putting your puppy in any large body of water. Your dog does have instincts to swim, but they will need some help.
Especially if this is their first time swimming.
Really, it might be best to let your dog go in a smaller pool first to get them used to swim in a safe area.
4 Benefits of Swimming For Great Pyrenees
Your dog can learn to swim and learn to love water, but what are the benefits of getting your Great Pyrenees to swim.
In this section of the post, I’ll talk about all the great benefits of letting your dog swim!
There are some amazing benefits that can improve your dog’s health and happiness.
1. It’s Good For Your Dog’s Health
If you want to improve your Great Pyrenees’ overall health, then swimming is one of the best activities for them.
Swimming has tons of benefits and helps your dog stay active and fit.
This low-impact exercise is great for your dog’s heart and lungs in particular. It also hits every major muscle group and helps your dog burn off excess calories.
Best of all, this full-body workout will keep your dog happy and injury-free.
Swimming helps dogs recover from injuries and helps prevent them too!
In short, there is no better way for your dog to move around and be active. Swimming is great for pets and their owners!
2. Your Dog Will Have Improved Joint Health
Your Great Pyrenees bone health will start to decline when they get older.
It’s inevitable and happens with age. This will make it harder for your pet to get around and be independent down the line.
Luckily, swimming is a low-impact exercise that can keep your dog fit and healthy for longer.
Swimming is great for the joints and keeps pets nimble and active. This exercise puts less stress on joints and tendons and strengthens the bones too.
Swimming can even help prevent arthritis which many dogs develop later on.
3. Good For Mental Health and Stress
Some pet owners do not think about this but your dog can get stressed out and create mental health issues.
Dogs have emotions just like humans and sometimes they need to release their stress. Your dog needs an outlet for its energy and stress.
Swimming is a great activity that will let your dog destress and relax a little. Your pet’s overall physical and mental health will improve with regular swimming.
Keeping your dog active also helps them stay happy and less aggressive. This can be great for pet owners and dogs alike.
4. Good For Pain Management and Overweight Dogs
Finally, if your Great Pyrenees has a lot of health issues, then swimming can be an ideal exercise.
Dogs with a lot of pain won’t be able to run around.
But since swimming takes the weight off the joints and body this can be a good exercise for dogs with chronic issues.
This therapeutic exercise helps to reduce pain and swelling. In addition, dogs with weight problems can really benefit from swimming.
Your pet will be able to burn a lot of calories fast. And they won’t be at risk to hurt themselves if you watch over them!
How to Teach A Great Pyrenees To Swim?
Your dog will have some instinct to swim. But it is best to help your dog through the process and teach them on your own.
Here, I will talk about some tips that will help your Great Pyrenees swim better!
1. Be Patient With Your Pet
You want to start by being patient with your Great Pyrenees.
Some dogs will want to hop right in and swim right away. Other dogs will be more cautious.
Your pet has its own unique personality so keep this in mind and don’t rush your dog.
Take things slow with them and introduce them to shallow water first. The more patient you are the better the outcomes will be.
2. Reward Your Dog
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Once you have gotten your dog near the water, keep treats on hand. If your dog approaches the water bravely, give them a treat.
You can even place treats near the water to let your dog know it is safe for them to go in.
Pet your dog, as well to keep them calm and happy. And don’t forget to praise them when they do a good job.
Your dog will need a lot of comfort to motivate them.
3. Slowly Go Into Deeper Water
When you decide to increase the depth of the water, again, you want to do this slowly. Your dog has a lot of fur and weight so it will take a lot of endurance for them to swim.
Stay in the shallow end until you feel comfortable that they are ready to move on. Then move to deeper water once your dog has gotten stronger.
You should not get in your pet’s way. But you can place a hand under their belly to help them stay afloat!
4. Do Short Lessons
Finally, when you are teaching your dog to swim, don’t overwork them.
Dogs will get tired, especially if this is their first time swimming. And with all their extra weight they can get even more tired.
So, keep this in mind and do short swimming lessons with your pet.
Some Swimming Safety Tips For Your Great Pyrenees
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You want to keep your Great Pyrenees as safe as possible when they are swimming.
Here I will discuss some safety tips that will keep your pet safe as they swim!
1. Make Sure Your Dog Can Swim
Again, not all dogs can swim. So, you want to ensure that your dog can actually swim in the water.
Put them in shallow water and watch them carefully.
Great Pyrenees will be fine to swim in most cases. You really shouldn’t have to worry about them.
But it doesn’t hurt to be vigilant and check that your dog is okay to swim.
2. Don’t Let Your Pet Drink The Water
If you are in a lake or the ocean make sure your pet doesn’t drink the water.
You might think it’s okay. But this could make them sick as there are bacteria and other types of organisms in natural water.
It’s also possible that there are chemicals in the water so watch out for this, as well.
You don’t want your dog to have to take a trip to the vet.
3. Don’t Leave Your Dog Alone
This can seem like a no-brainer, but you don’t want to leave your dog alone in the water. Especially if they are swimming for the first time.
Keep an eye on your dog.
Better yet try and swim with your dog this way they don’t drown or get nervous.
Swimming with your dog will make it easier for them to learn and get comfortable in the water.
4. Be On The Lookout For Algae
If you are going to a lake with your dog, be on the lookout for any algae.
This can be another danger your dog can encounter while swimming out in nature. Blue-green algae are the most dangerous type for your dog to be around.
5. Make Sure Your Dog Doesn’t Get too Tired
This is another obvious tip but your dog shouldn’t get too tired.
Again, this breed has a big body and a ton of fur. They will tire out fast if you don’t keep an eye on them.
So, make sure you have plenty of water for them to drink.
And keep a lookout for signs of fatigue to keep them from drowning.
6. Wash Your Dog
Finally, if you have gone to the beach or a pool, wash your dog off after. A quick rinse should be fine.
You don’t know what is in the water and what kind of bacteria is in the surrounding area.
Your dog might try to clean themselves and end up getting sick if there were bacteria and other containments.
You don’t have to do a full washdown, just give them a gentle rinse and dry them off.
How to Dry Off Your Great Pyrenees After Swimming?
For this final section, I’ll talk about how you can dry your dog off after swimming with them.
Your Great Pyrenees has very thick fur and you want to make sure to dry it with care.
To do this, start by getting a towel. Gently press the towel into your dog’s fur to get out all the water.
Do not use circular motions as this can tangle up your dog’s fur coat.
Next, you want to use a blow-dryer to get out the rest of the water. Put it on a low setting and keep the drying device a good distance away from your dog.
This way they don’t get burned. Once their fur is dry, you can use a brush to get out any knots.
This will keep your dog’s fur neat and beautiful.
Conclusion
Great Pyrenees are one of the largest dog breeds available.
As a result, some people might wonder do Great Pyrenees like water and whether they can swim, some pet owners even wonder if they like to be in the water at all.
While these are large dogs, they do enjoy swimming and being in the water.
These big dogs love to swim and stay active. But make sure to watch over your dog. You don’t want to tire them out, as their fur can be quite heavy.
Even though these dogs like to swim you have to keep their safety in mind.
However, if you read over my post and use common sense and some safety tips your Great Pyrenees should be fine to swim!
