Swimming
Yorkshire Terrier Swimming Tips
Pools, Lakes, and other Bodies of Water
Overview
Swimming is such a fun thing to do in the summer and an ideal way to cool off; so, you may be wondering if Yorkshire Terriers can swim. And if so, how to go about helping your puppy or dog enjoy the pool. Or perhaps you visit a lake on the weekends are want to know if it's safe for your Yorkie to take a dip in the water.
This article will cover everything you need to know about Yorkies swimming in pools, lakes, the ocean, and other bodies of water.
Can Yorkies Swim?
Yes, most Yorkshire Terriers are pretty good swimmers. In general, just about all dogs can swim, just to varying degrees of skill. When in water, dogs will doggie paddle. The Yorkshire Terrier has a few things going for him that make him a moderately good swimmer. The Yorkie has a rather sleek body and light-boned build which definitely helps. Short, barrel-chested breeds like the Pug or bulldogs will have trouble keeping themselves afloat.
In addition, the Yorkie's coat of silky hair is a plus in the water; breeds with very thick double coats of fur will be weighed down by that.
Finally, you have the Yorkshire Terrier's tenacity to factor in. Despite this breed's size, Yorkies can be quite adventurous and determined. During this breed's development, Yorkies were 'ratters', not only chasing after vermin in factories but also cornering wild prey out in the field. Though today's Yorkie is an indoor lap dog, as long as his owners are nearby and things are done gradually, many Yorkies are very willing to take on challenges.
Yorkies and Swimming Pools
You may find that your Yorkshire Terrier can have a lot of fun with you at a swimming pool. But, as with many things, the key is to plan ahead, have what you need, and take safety precautions. Let's look at 10 swimming safety tips to help a Yorkie enjoy swimming in a pool and how to keep things safe.
1. Consider starting off with a kiddie pool for your Yorkie.
As with most things that are new, a gradual introduction can help prevent a dog from getting spooked. And, kiddie pools are a fantastic way to help a Yorkshire Terrier stay cool on hot summer days while being fairly easy to set up and maintain.
Keep the water at just a few inches at first and add in some toys that will float. While a dog cannot drown in a kiddie pool, stay close by to supervise, helping your Yorkie get in and out if he needs the help and keeping an eye on things.
2. The pool water should be a minimum of 78 degrees F (25.5 C).
it may seem a temperature in the low 70's 70 would being nice and refreshing. But, that's far too cold for both humans and dogs. Most hotels and resorts keep their pools at a comfortable 82 to 85 F (27 to 29 C), and this should be your goal too (if you're in charge of this sort of thing) if you'd like your Yorkshire Terrier to start swimming.
This is particularly relevant as the summer season gets underway; while the air may be hot, the pool can still be far too cold for your puppy or dog to swim. Additionally, pools are often much colder in the morning and a rainfall can drop pool temperatures by quite a few degrees.
If your pool doesn't have a heater, there are ways to warm up the water such as solar heating mats that float on the surface and use the power of the sun to both heat the pool and help prevent the heat from escaping at night. One like the Intex Solar Cover
can be placed on above ground pools, and there are other sizes that fit everything from small kiddie pools to large in-ground pools.
can be placed on above ground pools, and there are other sizes that fit everything from small kiddie pools to large in-ground pools. 3. Never just toss your Yorkie in. While a dog will do the doggie paddle out of survival instinct, this is certainly not a method that will convey swimming can be fun. It is best if you enter into a large swimming pool with your dog can hold onto him as he gets used to the feeling of being in the water.
4. Consider placing a life vest on your Yorkie.
One problem with swimming is that a dog may easily swim out, but may soon tire and have trouble staying afloat or coming back in. Not to mention that the stress you may feel either staying right by your Yorkie side or having eagle eyes on your dog the entire time can take away from your own pool-side enjoyment.
So, a comfortable life-vest can be just the thing to give your Yorkie confidence, allow him to be in the water longer, and offer you the relief of knowing that a drowning accident is far less likely to happen.
Another great thing about having a life vest for your Yorkie, is that it can be great to have in a lot of situations aside from when your Yorkie is swimming in a pool. Dogs should always wear one when being out on any sort of boat, from speed boats to canoes). You may find a new summer hobby knowing that you can safely take your little guy or gal out paddle boarding with you or taking a row around a lake while camping.
Be sure that the vest has a grip handle, which makes it exceedingly easy to quickly grab your dog should there be a need, and it also makes for easy in and out of pools and other bodies of water.
You may be wondering if there is a life jacket made small enough for Yorkshire Terriers, and we're happy to say that there are a couple of good options. The Vivaglory Adjustable Dog Life Jacket
is a top-quality canine life vest that comes in a choice of 8 bright colors. Importantly, the size extra-small is made for tiny dogs with a neck circumference as small as 9.4 inches (28 cm). And of course, if your Yorkie is bigger, there are larger sizes.
is a top-quality canine life vest that comes in a choice of 8 bright colors. Importantly, the size extra-small is made for tiny dogs with a neck circumference as small as 9.4 inches (28 cm). And of course, if your Yorkie is bigger, there are larger sizes. If your Yorkie is very tiny and you are not sure that an extra-small is small enough, think of it this way, a regular piece of letter-size paper is 8.5x11 inches. If you take the short end and make it meet end-to-end, you'll see just how small 8.5 inches is. If you are unsure of your Yorkie's size, you can use a cloth measuring tape to get an accurate measurement.
Another great option for Yorkshire Terriers is the PlayaPup Dog Life Jacket
. This one starts at size extra-extra-small, which fits dogs as tiny as a neck measurement of 6 inches (15 cm), a chest measurement of 13 inches (33 cm), and a back length of 7 inches (18 cm). And, of course, this goes up in size with 6 increments in all, so that a dog of any weight can have the perfect fit. This comes in 5 bright colors. And, a nice feature of this one is that it has padding under the neck to help a dog keep his head above the water.
. This one starts at size extra-extra-small, which fits dogs as tiny as a neck measurement of 6 inches (15 cm), a chest measurement of 13 inches (33 cm), and a back length of 7 inches (18 cm). And, of course, this goes up in size with 6 increments in all, so that a dog of any weight can have the perfect fit. This comes in 5 bright colors. And, a nice feature of this one is that it has padding under the neck to help a dog keep his head above the water. 5. Supervise.
While you do not need to keep your eyes feverishly glued to your dog if he's wearing a life vest, by no means does this mean that you should walk away. If you are the only one there by the pool, and you have to go inside for any reason, remove your Yorkie first and bring your dog inside with you.
6. Don't forget the sunscreen.
Sometimes, it's easy to forget that dogs can get sunburned, but they certainly can and getting too many UV rays while swimming is very common. The water itself does little to protect from the sun. At about 1.5 feet under the water, only about 40% of UV rays will penetrate through, but most Yorkies are too small for this to factor in.
In addition, a type of UV ray called 'long UV rays' or UVA, reflects off water and can increase overall exposure by 25%.
Overexposure to UV rays is one of the causes of squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer that can develop on dogs, with the nose being a common site for tumors.
So, on summer days, if your Yorkie is swimming or even will just hanging out in the sun with you for more than 30 minutes, you'll want to protect your dog with sunscreen.
If you're looking for a sunscreen for your Yorkie, the absolute best one is Epi-Pet Sun Protector Spray for Pets
. This is the only FDA compliant sunscreen for dogs, it is waterproof, and it has an SPF of 35. It has the consistency of a nice leave-in conditioner and it smells great too. This is a spray, so after you do the main body, spray some in your hand and then massage it into your Yorkie's nose. Try to apply this at least 20 minutes ahead of time.
. This is the only FDA compliant sunscreen for dogs, it is waterproof, and it has an SPF of 35. It has the consistency of a nice leave-in conditioner and it smells great too. This is a spray, so after you do the main body, spray some in your hand and then massage it into your Yorkie's nose. Try to apply this at least 20 minutes ahead of time. 7. Rinse your Yorkie after swimming.
If a pool is chlorinated, those chemicals have to be rinsed off as soon as your Yorkie is done swimming. If not, the residue can severely dry out both skin and coat. You'll want to do a nice rinse with your little one's favorite shampoo and then massage in conditioner for a good 5 minutes. If you are at a friend's house or otherwise are not able to do this, at the very least, use fresh water to thoroughly rinse your Yorkie off.
Note that salt water is very drying too, to both the skin and hair. So, a rinse will be needed after swimming in salt water as well.
Taking Your Yorkie to a Lake or Other Body of Water
What's nicer than being out by a pretty lake on a beautiful sunny day? It's surely a place for you to relax and for your Yorkie to have fun exploring the shoreline with you, and perhaps even taking a little dip in the water. But, there's definitely a few safety tips to keep in mind.
1. Many of the same swimming safety tips that apply to pools also applies to lakes and other bodies of water.
This includes taking a gradual approach, never tossing your dog in, applying sunscreen ahead of time, and placing a life jacket on your Yorkie if the water will be deep enough that your dog will actually be swimming.
Aside for that that, there is additional advice that is specific to lakes:
2. Beware of algae. There is a certain type of algae, called cyanobacteria and commonly known as blue-green algae that is very toxic to dogs. There are reports of dogs getting sick as well as some deaths after swimming in lakes or ponds with this. Two types of toxins are produced by this algae.
- Microcystin - Dogs (or humans) can get very ill from swimming in or drinking water with microcystin. Signs of toxicity include diarrhea, weakness, and vomiting. This can quickly lead to collapse, shock, seizures, and death.
- Anatoxin - Dogs (or humans) can get very ill from swimming in or drinking water with anatoxin. Signs of toxicity include excessive runny eyes, trouble walking, tremors, difficultly breathing and eventual death.
Though not all types of algae are dangerous to dogs, if the water looks as if it is tinted green or you suspect any algae at all, keep your Yorkie far from it.
3. Stay clear of small, stagnant bodies of water.
Lakes, by definition, are bodies of water that are fed by at least one lake, making them moving bodies of fresh water. Stagnant water, on the other hand, can contain a host of bacteria and disease. Leptospirosis is a common waterborne disease that many dogs are not vaccinated against; this is often a voluntary inoculation.
4. Bring along lots of water.
To help prevent a dog from lapping at lake, pond, or ocean water (ingestion of salt water can make a dog very sick, cause diarrhea, and dehydration) bring lots of water, a collapsible bowl, and encourage your Yorkie to drink before he's even noticed that he's thirsty.
Note that many collapsible bowls are made of plastic and we really like to keep away from that, even those that are BPA free can cause terrible contact allergies and facial hair discoloration. For this reason, a bowl like the Outward Hound Collapsible Travel Bowl
is fantastic. This is actually made out of a nylon fabric and is just perfect for when you're on the go with your little one.
is fantastic. This is actually made out of a nylon fabric and is just perfect for when you're on the go with your little one. A Final Thought
If your Yorkie has not yet swam, you'll never know if your dog will find it to be enjoyable until you try. And, if your Yorkie already has been having fun in the pool, it's never a bad time to reassess things to limit dangers. Whether you have access to a swimming pool all summer or are planning to take a trip to the beach or lake, let's make sure that those days are fun and safe.
Do you have your book yet?
If you're looking for an incredibly comprehensive Yorkie book, you'll love Y.I.C's GIANT Book of Yorkshire Terrier Care.
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