Do Corgis Like To Swim? Discover The Truth
Do corgis like to swim?
I’ve seen so many adorable videos of corgis gliding down water slides and splashing about in swimming pools that I had to know whether most of them actually like to swim.
Because my corgi Winston doesn’t like swimming at all. He enjoys a gentle paddle in shallow water, but that’s it!
Yes, many corgis like to swim. But due to their long bodies, barrel-shaped chests and short legs, swimming can be something of a challenge!
If, like me, you want to know more about corgis’ relationship to water and the reasons why some love to swim and some really don’t, stay tuned to find out.
Let’s go!
Corgis and their relationship to water
Corgis were originally bred to be herding dogs.
Their short stature makes them perfect for rounding up cattle and nipping at their heels without getting kicked in the head by a flying hoof.
It also helps that they have a very loud, deep bark, which would alert the farmer to any unsual activity.
But as great as corgis are at herding, they weren’t bred for water work.
This is easy to see by looking at the shape of their body.
How a corgi’s shape affects its swimming ability
A corgi’s body isn’t optimal for swimming.
That’s because they have long heavy bodies that need to be kept afloat by short, stubby legs.
This makes doggy paddling more of a challenge for corgis than, say, Portuguese water dogs, who have long legs that are in proportion to their bodies.
As well as their body shape, which can make it harder to stay afloat, corgis have thick coats that can weigh them down when swimming.
4 reasons why (some) corgis like to swim
If you’re wondering why your corgi is averse to swimming (like mine!) or you want to know why your little chonk just loves to swim, here are 4 reasons that might explain.
1. Genetic predisposition
Even though corgis aren’t built for swimming, that doesn’t mean they won’t be born with a love for water.
Some corgis are water babies. They have a natural instinct to jump in bodies of water be it the ocean, swimming pools, puddles, or lakes.
2. Early exposure to water
Some corgis love to swim because they were exposed to water at a young age.
If a corgi has grown up in a house with a swimming pool or lives beside the sea, they won’t be as intimidated by water as, say, a corgi that’s been raised in the city (like my corgi, Winston!).
3. Temperament and personality
My corgi Winston is very gentle and quite nervous and he finds many things, including water, scary!
On the other hand, his brother Duke is more confident and loves water. Just look at this photo of him paddleboarding with his owners!
As you can see, some corgis’ personalities are more suited to swimming than others. If your corgi is quite shy, like Winston, then they might not be so keen on the water.
4. Health issues that may affect swimming ability
Last, but not least, your corgi may have a health condition (that you may or may not be aware of) that prevents them from swimming.
If your corgi once enjoyed swimming and no longer does, speak to your vet.
How to introduce corgis to swimming
It’s important to say that you must never to force your corgi to swim.
Some corgis don’t, and never will, like to swim. And that’s ok.
However, if you’d like to gently introduce them to swimming here are 4 steps to follow.
1. Take it slow and stay shallow
Some corgis will pick up swimming very quickly but for others, it will take several swimming lessons together until they get the hang of it.
While your corgi is learning how to swim, keep lessons short and stay in shallow water.
The calmer the process is, the quicker they’ll pick up doggy paddling.
2. Use toys and treats to make it fun
You might’ve seen the adorable videos of corgis chilling on pool floats.
Inflatable toys like these can make swimming more fun for your corgi… and you!
3. Support them with your arm
As your corgi gets used to the water, encourage them to swim a little deeper while supporting their stomach with your arm until they’re kicking with all four legs.
4. Show them how to exit
After a swimming session together, guide your corgi back to the shore (or the steps of the swimming pool) so they know how to exit the water when they’re ready.
4 tips to keep your corgi safe while swimming
Your corgi’s safety while swimming is the number #1 priority.
Here are 4 tips to ensure swimming is fun and safe.
1. Never leave your corgi unattended around water
Even if your corgi is a strong swimmer, never leave them alone around water.
I also recommend getting a dog life jacket to help them stay afloat while swimming.
2. Choose a swimming spot wisely
If you’re going to take your corgi swimming in a river, lake, or the ocean, double check it’s safe before doing so.
Make sure the lake or river you’ve chosen doesn’t contain harmful algae, stagnant water or dangerous animals (e.g. crocodiles).
As for larger lakes and the ocean, be aware of rip tides and strong currents.
Lakes and calm rivers are usually great for corgis as they have lots of shallow areas for swimming.
3. Be aware of ‘near drowning’
Corgis that like to swim are more at risk of ‘near drowning’ or ‘dry drowning’.
This is when they get water in their lungs while swimming, which leads to infection or inflammation a few days later. If left untreated, this can be fatal.
Symptoms of near drowning include:
- Coughing or hacking
- Signs of chest pain
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Extreme tiredness (brought on by a lack of oxygen to the brain)
To prevent near drowning, always monitor your corgi while swimming and consider using a dog life jacket. This will help to keep their head above water and prevent them swallowing too much of it.
4. Don’t let them swim in very cold water
Keep the temperature in mind when allowing your corgi to swim.
Some corgis, particularly the very confident ones, won’t necessarily mind jumping in cold water.
However, cold water swimming expends more energy and can lead to exhaustion, which is dangerous.
It also increases the risk of ‘swimmer’s tail’ or ‘limber tail syndrome‘.
This is when your corgi’s tail goes limp and doesn’t wag like it should due to overexertion in chilly conditions.
