Should You Let Your Dog
IN YOUR POOL? BY MARCUS PACKER
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Having one dog in the pool is the equivalent of having a raging pool party with 50 people according to experts.
eople love their dogs and man’s best friend fits right in around the home. Consequently, many feel that their swimming pool is a natural extension. After all, your dog enjoys the rest of the backyard; therefore, why should the pool be off limits?
when it comes to swimming. This is due to their anatomy and facial structure which is less suited for swimming than their canine cousins. While dogs who are not proficient by nature can be trained to swim, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will truly enjoy it.
While your pool may be a welcome and inviting retreat for guests and members of your family, bringing your dog in for a swim may not necessarily be a good idea according to experts.
A startling statistic states that over 5,000 pets drown in swimming pools each year. Consequently, the swimming pool may actually impose more of a danger than a benefit when it comes to your pet. Dogs also have the potential to “dry drown” which can happen when they get water in their lungs while swimming. Issues like inflammation, infection and other problems can arise up to a week later. This can happen even with dogs who are proficient swimmers during horseplay in the pool. What most experts usually recommend for those water-bound pups who enjoy the pool is that they wear a life jacket suitable for dogs. The American Kennel Club recommends this both in the pool as well as around natural bodies of water.
One thing is true about dogs, in general; they are usually pretty good at swimming. Some breeds such as the Labrador are even considered great swimmers. However, it’s a myth that all dogs can swim. Just like people, some are better at it than others. In general, there are a few dog breeds that are not very proficient at swimming at all. While the Basset Hound, Boxer, Bulldog, Dachshund, Pug, and Pekingese are some of the most popular dogs; these breeds typically have more difficulty
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POOL MAGAZINE - VOL 2, ISSUE 3
