Afador / Afgahn Lab (Afgan Hound X Lab) Affenhuahua (Chiuahua X Affenpinscer) Affenpinscher Afghan Hound Airedale Terrier Akbash Akita Akita Chow (Akita x Chow Chow) Akita Pit (Akita x American Pit Bull Terrier) Akita Shepherd Alaskan Klee Kai Alaskan Malamute American Bulldogs American English Coonhoud American Eskimo Dog American Fox Hound American Hairless Terrier American Leopard Hound American Pit Bull Terrier American Pugabull ( American Bull Terreier X Pug) American Staffordshire Terrier American Water Spaniel Anatolian Shepherd Appenzeller Sennehunde Augie (Australian Shepherd x Corgi) Aussie Doodle (Australian Shepherd X Poodle) Aussie Pom ( Australian Shepherd X Pomeranian) Aussiedors Australian Shepherd X Lab Australian Cattledodg Kelpie & Kelpie Cross Australian Retriever (Australian Shepherd X Golden Retriever) Australian Shepherd Australian Shepherd Husky Australian Shepherd Pit Bull Australian Silky Terrier Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Australian Terrier Basenji Bassador (Basset Hound X Labrador Retriever) Basset Hound Basset Retriever Beabull Beagle Bearded Collie Bedlington Terrier Belgian Sheepdog Belgian Shepherd (Malinois) Belgian Tervuren Bermasco Shepherd Berndoodle Bernese Mountain Dog Bichon Frise Black and Tan Coonhound Black Russian Terrier Blackmouthed Cur Dog Bloodhound Blue Lacy Bluetick Coonhound Boerboel Bohemian Shepherd Bologenese Dog Border Collie Border Sheepdog Border Terrier Bordoodle (Border Collie x Poodle) Borzoi Boston Terrier Bouvier des Flandres Boxer Boxerdoodle / Boxerpoo (Boxer x Poodle) Boykin Spaniel Bracco Italiano Briard Brittany Brussels Griffin Bull Mastif Bull Terrier Bulldog Cairn Terrier Cane Corso Cardigan Welsh Corgi Caucasian Shepherd Cavachon (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel X Bichon Frise) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Cavoodle ( Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Poodle) Central Asian Shepherd Dog Cesky Terrier Chesapeake Bay Retiriever Chihuahua Chilier / Cavachi (Chihuahua x Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) Chinese Crested Dog Chinese Shar-Pei Chinook Chow Chow Clumber Spaniel Cocker Spaniel Collie Cotton de Tulear Curly Coated Retriever Dachshund Dalmation Dandie Dinmont Terrier Daniff (English Mastiff X Great Dane) Deutscher Wachtelhund Doberman Pinscher Dogue de Bordeaux Dutch Shepherd English Cocker Spaniel English Foxhound English Settter English Springer Spaniel English Staffordshire Terrier English Toy Spaniel English Toy Terrier Entlebucher Mountain Dog Estrela Mountain Dog Eurasier Field Spaniel Finnish Lapphund Flat Coated Retriever Fox Terrier French Bulldog French Spaniel German Shepherd German Shorthaired Pointer German Spitz German Wirehaired Pointer Glen of Imaal Terrier Golden Retriever Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever X Poodle) Gordon Setter Great Dane Greyhound Hamiltonstovare Harrier Havenese Hungarian Visler Ibizan Hound Irish Red and White Setter Irish Setter Irish Terrier Irish Water Spaneil Irish Wolfhound Italian Greyhound Jack Russell Terrier Japanese Chin Japenese Spitz Karelian Bear Dog Keesond Kerry Blue Terrier Komondor Kuvasz Labrabor Retriever Labradoodle (Labradoor Retiever x Poodle) Lagotto Romgnolo Lakeland Terrier Leonberger Lhasa Apso Lowchen Maltese & Maltese Cross Maltese Shih Tzu Manchester Terrier Maremma Sheepdog Mastiff Miniature Pinscher Miniature Schnauzer Neapolitan Mastiff Newfoundland Norfolk Terrier Norwegian Buhund Norwegian Elkhound Norwich Terrier Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Old English Sheepdog Otterhound Papillon Parson Jack Russell Terrier Pekinese Pembroke Welsh Corgi Peruvian Hairless Dog Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Pharaoh Hound Picardy Shepherd Pointer Polish Lowland Sheepdog Pomeranian Poochon (Poodle X Bichon Frise) Poodle Portugese Water Dog Portuguese Podego Pequeneo Pug Puli Pumi Pyrenean Mastiff Pyrenean Mountain Dog Pyrenrean Sheep Dog Rodesian Ridgeback Rottweiler Russian Black Terrier Russian Toy Terrier Saint Bernard Saluki Samoyd Schnauzer Sealyham Terrier Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) Shiba Inu Shih Tzu Siberian Husky Skye Terrier Sloughi Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Sottish Terrier Spanish Mastiff Spinone Italiano Staffodshire Bull Terrier Sussex Spaniel Sweedish Lapphund Sweedish Vallhund Tibetan Mastiff Tibetan Spaniel Tibetan Terrier Vizla Weimaranar Welsh Springer Spaniel Welsh Terrier West Highland White Terrier Whippet Whippet Xoloitzcuintle (Mexican Hairless Dog) Yorkshire Terrier
Search
06.2.24

Summer Swimming with Your Dog

Swimming is a great way to cool off during the summer months, and most dogs enjoy it, but swimming can also dry out their coat and skin and increase the risk of ear infections. It is important to pay close attention to their skin and coat as too much swimming can result in dry and sensitive skin.

Pool Swimmers

Remember, not all dogs are natural swimmers. Most dogs need to learn to swim, and those with heavy bodies and short back legs often struggle in the water. Just like with children, you must actively supervise your dog around any pool and always make sure pool gates are closed and that your dog can’t squeeze through any gaps on the pool fence.

After swimming, hose or wash your pet thoroughly. Chemicals in the pool can strip the oils from your dog’s coat, leaving it dry and brittle, so it’s essential to rinse the coat thoroughly after each swim. Towel dry your dog and spray the coat with a conditioning spray like Houndztooth’s Detangler or Hugo’s Blend No.1 Conditioning & Deodoriser Spray. Ensure you spray to the skin and comb right through to prevent mats and tangles. If you are washing your dog with shampoo, use a gentle moisturising shampoo formulated for dogs to help support the skin barrier. An omega 3 supplement such as Houndztooth’s Skin & Coat Health meal topper may also help hydrate the skin.

Hugo's Blend No.1 Dog Coat Conditioning Spray & Deodoriser

Beach Swimmers

Dogs love to find dead, rotting things to roll in, and there are usually plenty of these to be found at the beach. Some things such as blowfish can be deadly if eaten, so keep a close eye on your dog and teach them to have a good recall and a command such as ‘leave it.’ 

Saltwater is more drying than fresh water and can cause the skin to become dry and flaky, and sand may be very irritating, especially for dogs with long coats.

Ideally, rinse and towel dry your dog before getting in your car to remove sand trapped in the coat and salt, which may cause skin irritation. For short-coated dogs, a thorough rinse is usually plenty but long-coated dogs need a proper bath  to remove salt and sand close to the skin. Use gentle products such as Houndztooth’s Hugo’s Blend No.1 dog shampoo.  Once dry, brush thoroughly to remove any sand particles that are still in the coat.

Lakes

If your dog is swimming in a lake or river, give them a full bath after washing off muddy water, pollutants and whatever else may be in the water. If washing regularly, use a gentle shampoo such as Houndztooth’s Hugo’s Blend No.1 dog shampoo and condition thoroughly with a product like  Hugo’s Blend No.1 Conditioning & Deodoriser Spray.

Ear Care

After any swimming, pay attention to drying the inside of your dog’s ears, as dogs are prone to ear infections after swimming. Dogs with pendulous ears such as Cocker Spaniels and Cavalier King Charles are especially at risk – the water, salt and sand gets trapped in the ear, creating a perfect environment for bacteria and yeast to grow. Use a vet-recommended cleaner to dislodge any debris and help dry out the ears.

Summer swimming with dogs can be a joyful  experience for both pets and their owners. With these tips in mind, I hope your summer days are filled with laughter and  splashes, sharing the water with your canine friends.

0 items in cart