Can dachshunds swim?
Dachshunds and water – a relationship that’s often full of surprises! Some throw themselves in headfirst the moment they spot a river, whilst others cautiously back away at the sight of even the smallest puddle. But whether they’re keen swimmers or wary of water, one thing is certain: your little dachshund needs special attention as soon as they approach any body of water.
Dachshunds, like all animals, obviously know how to swim instinctively! However, whilst a Labrador feels at ease from the very first strokes, a dachshund has to work much harder to keep its head above water. Its distinctive build – a long back, short legs and a deep chest – makes it more prone to fatigue, susceptible to currents and prone to difficulties in maintaining a stable horizontal position.
How can you enjoy the water with complete peace of mind?
The good news is that, with the right precautions, swimming can be a wonderful activity for your dachshund! It’s gentle on the joints, excellent for building muscle and a source of great enjoyment.
A few basic rules: first, your dachshund needs to observe its surroundings and watch you swimming so that it feels more at ease. Above all, do not force it into the water! Let your dog explore the water at its own pace, starting gently by getting its paws wet. Avoid bodies of water with strong currents and swimming pools. To begin with, choose areas with an easy way out, and keep swims short. And most importantly, make sure it’s wearing a suitable life jacket and never leave it unattended!
The swimming vest, a must-have for your dachshund
Not all swimming vests are the same, and, more importantly, not all are suitable for dachshunds. Most standard vests are designed for short, broad body types: they are often wide, barely cover the torso and leave the dachshund’s back unsupported.
But why is a life jacket so important for this particular breed? As explained earlier, it’s all down to their build. With a long back and short legs, dachshunds have to work much harder than other dogs to keep their heads above water. To compensate, they naturally arch their backs and necks, which puts strain on their necks and backs and causes them to tire more quickly. The result is that a swim, which should be a pleasure, quickly becomes exhausting, or even dangerous.
With the right life jacket, everything changes. The dog’s head and back stay almost at the surface, its body feels lighter, and it can swim for longer with less effort. And, above all, it really enjoys itself!
The life jacket is also very handy if you go stand-up paddleboarding or boating. The handle on the back allows you to lift your dog easily and safely, much more comfortably than pulling him by the withers, which could hurt him, especially when his body is weighed down by water as he comes out of the water. And if your dog accidentally falls out of a boat, the life jacket will provide him with the necessary buoyancy until you can retrieve him.
Le stand up paddle It might be a good way to introduce your dachshund to water, as it allows them to enjoy the activity without necessarily being directly in the water.
It is precisely to meet these needs that we have designed our vests at Lucienne la Parisienne : vests tailor-made to suit the dachshund’s elongated body shape to maintain a natural horizontal position in water.
Our swim vest designs
.The ‘Lucienne’ swim vest : our iconic model, featuring an exclusive design created by the brand, this life jacket is adorned with motifs of the Eiffel Tower, little dachshunds and Lucienne’s paw print! Available in four bright colours: yellow, red, green and orange. Perfect for spotting your dog at a glance in the water!
The ‘Lucienne la Parisienne’ swim vest : a limited edition collection, featuring red and white and black and white striped prints. For dachshunds who swim in style.
Please note: If the life jacket is too big, it provides too much buoyancy and the dog may float like a ‘cork’ on the water. The life jacket doesn’t need to reach the base of the tail – it isn’t a coat. What’s more, a life jacket that’s too big is bulky.
Risks that should not be ignored:
1 Rapid fatigue. A dachshund can tire much more quickly than other dogs. It often compensates by arching its back and neck excessively to keep its head above the surface. In the long term, this can exacerbate back problems to which the breed is already predisposed (disc herniation).
2 Watercourses Even in seemingly calm water, an unexpected current can take your dachshund by surprise; whether in a river or at the seaside, the risk of drowning is very real.
3 The swimming pool. Please note: a dachshund will not necessarily head for the pool exit with the steps. Being stubborn and persistent by nature, it will continue to exhaust itself by swimming alongside the wrong side of the pool and may drown.
4 If your dachshund doesn’t like When it comes to water, you mustn’t force him under any circumstances; there are plenty of other activities you can do together.
5 . Never let your dachshund in the swimming pool or in the water unsupervised even with the swim vest on.
So, are you ready for the summer season?
Summer’s here, the beaches and rivers are calling – and so is your dachshund! With the right kit and a few simple precautions, a dip in the water can become one of their favourite moments. Don’t wait any longer to treat them to a safe water experience – and one with a real sense of style.
*To be used under adult supervision. This product is not intended for professional rescue use.
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