If you\u2019re fond of Labrador Retrievers, then you know anything about them, including how they love to jump into the water! But has it ever crossed your mind why Labradors love water so much?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re curious, then here is everything you need to know about Labradors and their eagerness to swim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It Is in Their Genes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Labradors are known as specially bred swimmers, which is why it is no surprise why Labradors love water! Many Labs will want to jump into a pool the second they see one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To add, Labradors are descendants of the St. John\u2019s water dog, which you can guess from the name that swimming is in their genes. St. John\u2019s water dog was from Newfoundland, Canada, and they helped their owners catch fish. This is the reason why Labs love to retrieve and swim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that Labradors are both swimmers and hunters? Owners, who were hunters before, bred the Labradors to catch water birds<\/a> for them. Because of this, Labradors needed to learn how to jump into the water to get their job done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, swimming is not a chore for most Labradors. Most Labs grew to love being in water and swimming, which is why your Lab may jump into pools or ponds whenever they see one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They Have the Right Coat for Swimming<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Labradors are pretty much born to be swimmers. They have a lovely double coat<\/a> that protects them while they swim and is perfect for swimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A double coat means that your Lab has two fur layers. The guard layer (or the top layer) consists of stiff guard hairs. These guard hairs shield your dog from dirt and help repel water, which is very helpful when they swim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second coat is called the undercoat, and it helps keep your Lab insulated. During the summer months, it gets thinner by shedding in order to keep your dog cool while blocking warm air. On the other hand, it gets thicker in the winter to keep your Lab warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, their undercoat also protects your Lab from the sun\u2019s harsh UV rays. It will help prevent them from getting a sunburn while they swim during the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another reason why Labradors have excellent fur meant for swimming is that it is short. Their fur repels water, and since it is short, it will not weigh them down while they paddle through the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They Have Webbed Toes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned earlier, Labradors are born swimmers, especially because they have webbed toes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although most dogs have webbing between their toes, we emphasize the webbing between the Labradors\u2019 toes since it helps them confidently paddle through the water. It also gives them an extra push while they swim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They Have a Strong Otter Tail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Labradors have another unique feature that makes them excellent swimmers: their otter tails. An otter tail starts thick and tapers in its round shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accordingly, the hair is parted or divided on the bottom. The strong and thick tail almost acts like a rudder. It helps propel your Lab while they swim, thus making them faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does That Mean All Labradors Know How to Swim?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n