If your dog is a true water enthusiast, chances are it won’t be content lounging on the couch all day. These natural swimmers crave aquatic adventures; diving, splashing, and showing off their powerful strokes like furry mermaids.
Most water-loving breeds come equipped with water-resistant coats that keep them comfortable even when soaked. Their webbed feet act like natural paddles, helping them glide effortlessly through lakes, rivers, and even ocean currents.
Built with strong, athletic bodies and impressive stamina, these dogs excel at water-based activities. Whether it’s participating in swim sports or aiding in rescue missions, they thrive when surrounded by water.
Ready to meet the champions of the aquatic world? Here are 9 dog breeds that are born to swim.
Dog Breeds That Are Natural Water Lovers
1. Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a dog known for its affinity with water.
It is a dog that is born with an innate fondness for water. In fact, its name proves its adoration for water. ‘Lagotto’ is derived from the Italian word for lake, ‘Lago’. You can imagine how much they would be comfortable in the lake water.
Classified in the Sporting Group by AKC, this dog is quite a popular breed across the globe, especially in the US.
Bred in Italy to retrieve waterfowl from waterbodies, these dogs are strong and sturdy. They have solid muscles that help them look for waterfowl efficiently.
On top of that, their webbed feet help them glide through water effortlessly. With curly coats that are dense in nature, they are able to dive into cold water without being affected by its temperature.
Also known as the truffle-searching dog, this medium-sized dog has a sharp nose as well and can retrieve its prey from a long distance.
If you have this dog as a pet, you must have noticed it doesn’t miss any opportunity to jump into a puddle while walking, and is absolutely amazed by it!
2. Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog is a true water dog! It loves splashing water on its loved ones and adores the idea of swimming for long hours.
Historically, this dog was originally bred to aid the fishermen in Portugal while herding fish inside the nets and then enjoying a delicious feast. It would also perform its duty diligently, being a great maritime messenger.
Today, it is a great family dog that keeps showing its outstanding swimming capabilities in various water sports.
What further assists the dog in being a great swimmer is its webbed feet, a thick, waterproof coat, and super-strong muscles. Its physical characteristics are definitely enough to make its competitors quiver even before the competition starts!
Fun Fact: Did you know the former U.S. President Barack Obama had two Portuguese Water Dogs named Bo and Sunny? This made the breed really famous across the globe, as per Britannica.
3. Irish Water Spaniel
Well, this breed’s name has ‘water’ in it, what else do you expect from it?
The Irish Water Spaniel is famous for its ability to retrieve waterfowl from various waterbodies, including lakes and rivers.
Their physical features help them be so good at activities under the water. This dog wears a water-repellent double coat, which keeps it warm under the water. Alongside this, it has webbed feet, which help it swim faster than its competitors in swimming competitions.
This sports lover is phenomenal in obedience, agility, and water trials. In fact, if you have an active family that is always up for an adventure, no matter whether it involves water or not, this dog would be a great fit for your home.
At home, these dogs are super loyal and affectionate. However, with strangers, they’ll be aloof and unfriendly.
4. American Water Spaniel
This is a water-loving dog whose history dates back to the 1800s.
The American Water Spaniel is a combination of the Irish Water Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever, and Field Spaniel.
It was developed with the sole purpose of retrieving from water. This is why it was given the physical characteristics that will make it suitable for this role.
From the thick water-resistant coat to webbed feet, PetMD mentions these dogs have all the physical qualities required to be great swimmers and underwater retrievers.
Their webbed feet especially give them flawless propulsion through water.
Pet parents love this dog for its trainability and energy. This dog loves challenges and has a great work ethic. Not caring about the weather, it would complete its tasks on time!
5. Spanish Water Dog
Yet another dog known for its love of water and phenomenal working ethic is the Spanish Water Dog.
This dog breed that loves water was bred as a helper of the Spanish fishermen, where it would aid them in bringing fish to the traps and retrieve broken nets.
What made it a great partner for the fishermen was a good combination of its athleticism and agility. Also, it wears a water-resistant coat, so it couldn’t care less about the temperature underwater and how wet it can make its fur (as it can’t).
Back in the day, it was also a true workaholic. People loved them for their ability to herd livestock in the mountains and retrieve objects from coastal waters with equal efficiency.
Thanks to their sturdy bodies and strong muscles, these dogs are now used in water rescue operations.
It is a highly trainable dog that is a good choice for allergy-suffering pet owners. The tight curls on its coat trap dander and don’t let the owners have a sneeze fit.
6. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are some of the most famous dogs out there.
Bred in the 19th century, their main purpose was to retrieve waterfowl. They would hunt waterfowl in rivers and lakes and retrieve them efficiently.
This dog wears a thick coat that is water-resistant. The underlayer is dense in nature, and the outer coat repels water. Hence, the moisture from the environment doesn’t reach its body.
Just like a natural swimmer, this dog has webbed feet that let it paddle through the water effortlessly.
That’s not all!
This water-loving gun dog adores humans to the core. It makes a great family member of an active household, making it a favourite of the kids. In fact, they are excellent swim buddies for the kids and will play various games with them in the backyard pool.
7. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chesapeake Bay Retriever loves water and rightfully so!
The American Kennel Club (AKC) mentions that it is a natural swimmer. The double-coated exterior of the dog doesn’t let water get inside the coat, making it a dog that is unfazed by the moisture around it. Also, its legs are pretty strong. Staying underwater and swimming for extended hours is not a problem for it.
The dog has a muscular tail, which acts like a rudder, assisting it to steer through the water while swimming.
This dog has impressive endurance and stamina. For sure, it can make its swimming competitors run for the money!
This water dog breed is one of the strongest swimmers in the dog world.
They are gentle guardians at home. Fiercely loyal and loving towards the kids, they’ll be a great addition to your home!
8. Standard Poodle
If you thought the Standard Poodle is all about wearing fancy clothes and posing for Instagram, you’re wrong.
This is one of the best water retrievers in the dog world, and absolutely loves to do anything that involves water!
Wearing a dense coat that is water-resistant, it is made for swimming in marshes. Its lean body and athletic build further make it suitable for the water. If you reside in Europe, you would often spot it retrieving ducks and geese from the water, especially in the rural areas.
This hunting dog is known for its phenomenal working intelligence.
Elegant, friendly, and a great swimmer, this dog will surely be a good partner for you in your excursions that involve water!
9. English Setter
The English Setter has a great love for water and showcases phenomenal capabilities as a swimmer.
Though this dog was not exclusively developed as a water retriever, it enjoys swimming, mostly in warm weather. What helps it be a good swimmer is its long, slightly water-repellent coat, which lets it stay underwater for a long time without being affected by the moisture.
This dog is also known for its great endurance and agility. For hunters, they make great partners, no matter what kind of terrain they have to explore.
These dogs are high in trainability and sociability. You won’t have to spend many months teaching the dog desired behaviours. Rather, it will easily pick up acceptable behaviour cues from your commands.
Conclusion
Water dogs are naturally built to be great swimmers. They have study bodies, webbed feet, and an impressive endurance. Labrador retrievers, Flat-coated retrievers, and French water dogs are also some athletic dogs known for their love of the water. These energetic dogs are phenomenal swimmers and incredible hunters under the water!
