Can dogs drown?

[Gandahar]

Has anyone had to buy a life jacket for their dog?

We have because me, my wife and I are on a house boat in the roaring forties, ie Norfolk broads.

Thoughts?





I seem to recall from a long time back he instinctively knows "doggy paddle"

[vourin]

Yes - not all dogs can swim nor have sufficient energy to 'tread water' (swim around a bit) till rescued; I have had to keep one of mine away from water for precisely that reason. Love the fact that the dog appears so ashamed by the jacket it isn't even looking at the camera!

[ozzuk]

Odd question, given they can't breath underwater, very possible to drown, especially in unknown/rapid water. We make sure ours don't get too tired when fetching balls in river.

[pequod]

Yes.

[RDMcG]

Depends on the dog. Certain overdeveloped breeds like the French Bulldog can't swim as I recall.

[Gandahar]

Thanks,

He's now got more clothes than me. He has a winter jacket, and 2 rain ones, and also 3 sets of jim jams of varying lengths.

And now his life jacket.

No doubt I will get a pair of socks again for my Christmas present

[Gandahar]

vourin said:

Yes - not all dogs can swim nor have sufficient energy to 'tread water' (swim around a bit) till rescued; I have had to keep one of mine away from water for precisely that reason. Love the fact that the dog appears so ashamed by the jacket it isn't even looking at the camera!

Here is his full frontal, sexed it up with a bit of James Bond

https://vimeo.com/438274642

[Gandahar]

I've got a snorkel and mask I could put on him but worried I am then getting into "your dog suffered for an internet meme with James Bond and the Norfolk Broads" sort of territory.

[pequod]

Gandahar said:

Thanks,

He's now got more clothes than me. He has a winter jacket, and 2 rain ones, and also 3 sets of jim jams of varying lengths.

And now his life jacket.

No doubt I will get a pair of socks again for my Christmas present

Don't bank on it!! I would advise buying your own socks (six at M&S) just in case you drop into a box of Terry's All Gold territory!!

[PositronicRay]

I'd get one with a big loop on the back. Something you can get a boat hook to.

[anonymous-user]

PositronicRay said:

I'd get one with a big loop on the back. Something you can get a boat hook to.

This ^^^^^^^^^

[HTP99]

RDMcG said:

Depends on the dog. Certain overdeveloped breeds like the French Bulldog can't swim as I recall.

It's more about the weight at the front (I believe), same with British Bulldogs, they are all chest and head so they can't keep their head up.

[RDMcG]

HTP99 said:

It's more about the weight at the front (I believe), same with British Bulldogs, they are all chest and head so they can't keep their head up.

Yes!...at one point my OH wanted a French Bulldog. I suggested a name for it.

Cousteau

[hidetheelephants]

PositronicRay said:

I'd get one with a big loop on the back. Something you can get a boat hook to.

^^^
That's of more use than the buoyancy TBH, having a handle so you can lift them out if there's no convenient bank or slipway for them to climb up.

[actionjack]

https://twitter.com/thehumanxp/status/128320908533...

[Zetec-S]

Although perhaps an obvious answer, it does raise an interesting subject.

Dogs do seem to be more adept at surviving in water compared to humans. It seems to be a fairly common occurence, especially during floods, to hear of someone going into the water to rescue a dog, only for them to drown but the dog to make it out.

[Pesty]

My dogs are very strong swimmers
However it’s the getting out that’s the issue. If too steep like a canal With steel sides or a pool they will sink under. I’ve had to rescue then a few times.
All dogs are different of course. So a life jacket sounds a good idea. I believe you may be able to get those fancy auto blow up ones

[S100HP]

That life jacket doesn't look the best.....

Consider the Ruffwear float coat if he's likely to be wearing for any amount of time. Their quality is 2nd to none. They often come up for sale on eBay etc.

[ctdctd]

I took my Staffy cross to a doggy swimming pool to prove she could swim before risking a narrow boat trip.
She wore a buoyancy aid until the pool staff were happy she could doggy paddle well enough.

On the narrow boat, she wore a Julius harness so there was a handle to get hold of if required - it wasn't needed, but better safe than...........

I now also have a lurcher and will be doing the same with him - he's all bones so I suspect could sink quite quickly!
If he's not a natural swimmer, he'll wear a buoyancy aid as well as the harness if the boat is moving.

[Eyersey1234]

Gandahar said:

Thanks,

He's now got more clothes than me. He has a winter jacket, and 2 rain ones, and also 3 sets of jim jams of varying lengths.

And now his life jacket.

No doubt I will get a pair of socks again for my Christmas present

That's kind of him to buy you a Christmas present