Swimming, dogs and winter

[ChickensHaveNoEyebrows]

Ok, not quite winter yet, but getting there :( My dog is a spaniel, and adores the water. Just spent twenty minutes happily fetching sticks from the local pond. I stopped the game when I noticed that he'd begun to shiver quite spectacularly. Got him home within five minutes, towel dried him and put his bed by the radiator. He's still giving the occasional shudder, but seems more comfortable. I have to confess, I hadn't really thought about him getting cold. Is it best to stop him swimming now until the weather is warm again? Or does your dog swim year round?

[WitchOfORANGEdor]

This happened to me with my lab, I had to put him in a warm bath because he was chilled to the bone ( even though he didn't want to come out of the water!) TBH I would keep him out of the water now so that he doesn't make straight for it once it gets really cold and icy. Too many people end up in difficulties with dogs in icy water.

[ChickensHaveNoEyebrows]

We've just put the heater on for him, and he's beginning to warm up. Didn't even think of the warm bath! Yes, think I'll have to keep him away from the pond now. A shame, because he loves to swim and it's such great exercise :/

[belindarose]

I've been having the same thoughts. Mine last swam a couple of weeks ago. It was a sunny day but he took ages to warm up. He's paddled since but I'm not going to let him swim till it warms up again I don't think. He wasn't swimming last winter.

[belindarose]

I knew this would be you before I opened the thread, chickens. I really think we have the same dog!

[ChickensHaveNoEyebrows]

[midori1999]

Mine have always been fine, incldsing swimming in the sea during snow on Christmas Day.

I would probably keep them out of icy water though.

[tooearlytobeup]

Mines been in the sea this evening, and was in the sea all last winter too. The beach is only a five minute walk from us so hard to avoid it.

He chases his ball around on the sand though straight after so stays warm.

[SelfRighteousPrissyPants]

I used to be a dry stone waller and we had a collie cross, he spent entire days in icy mountain streams in snowy weather when he was young I guess if they shiver keep them out though.