Last Updated on December 3, 2021 by Ana P.
If you came across questioning yourself, do Yorkies like to swim? You need to find out the answer in your Yorkie. That answer is not so simple, and it’s subjective.
It’s common for dogs to have the ability to swim. Rarely some breeds are not capable of swimming. An example is the bulldog terrier. It doesn’t mean they can’t learn to swim, but it doesn’t come naturally for bulldogs.
Yorkies, on the other hand, got the tendency to swim. They are not a water dog breed, but they got the physical attributes that help them in water activities.
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Do Terriers Like Water?
As we said, terriers, precisely Yorkie terriers, are a family of dog breed that tends to enjoy the water. In many cases, the love of your Yorkie toward water is affected by how you introduced it to water.
Don’t hesitate to do water tests on your Yorkie and see how it’s reacting toward the water. One thing you can do is to check what kind of response you’ll get when going through puddles with your Yorkie.
Another indication of whether your Yorkie likes water is how well it’s behaving while bathing. Dogs that fear water, or hoses, usually don’t like baths.
Lastly, if you travel to a place with water surfaces, see if your Yorkie shows enthusiasm about playing in the water. By any means, do not force them if they refuse to enter the water.
Can Yorkies Swim – How To Check If Your Yorkie Can Swim
After you acknowledge the affection of water in your Yorkie, the next step is to see how they will manage their movement in the water.
Firstly, Yorkies body-wise are perfect swimmers because they have long and silk bodies and don’t weigh much. That way, they won’t have any problems with moving through the water. So don’t doubt the capability of your Yorkie swimming.
One of the best ways to check Yorkie swimming capabilities is by letting it swim in a small pool. If you don’t own a baby pool, you can fill up your bathtub with water and see if your Yorkie gets around it well.
Try not to fill it up, do it gradually and see if it feels comfortable around the bathtub or pool. The easiest way to do this is to try to give a bath to your Yorkie.
The one thing to remember is not to force your Yorkie into the water because that way, you can induce stress. So, let it all come naturally for your Yorkie. Another thing to keep in mind is the temperature of the water. Maintain it mildly at around 26 degrees celsius. That way, you assure yourself that the cold water is not a problem for your Yorkie.
Another concern that you should keep in mind is to use a life vest. That was you can assure yourself that your Yorkie won’t drown if it gets tired quickly.
So, overall you need to administer your Yorkie while swimming and keep a close eye on them to avoid any consequences.
Yorkshire Swimming Pool Precautions
When taking your Yorkie to pools, some of the previously suggested precautions need consideration as well.
As usual, don’t force your Yorkie into the deep pool, consider a small one that will make it feel comfortable, and it won’t get scared.
Don’t hesitate to check the water temperature. In summers, the air temperature can be higher than the water one, so be sure that the water is not too cold for your Yorkie.
Another thing to consider on those sunny summer days is the use of sunscreen. Many owners don’t know that actual sunscreen is applied to the dog’s skin to help them avoid sunburns and infections.
Lastly, if you think that your Yorkie will have difficulties in the process of swimming, you can always use a safety vest around them. Picking a vibrant color will make them easier to spot in the pool. That way, you will feel relaxed and won’t think of bad scenarios further.
Tips For Travelling To Water Sides With Your Yorkie
When going on a summer holiday with your Yorkie, there is a chance that you will go to some watersides. If that is the case, another great way for your Yorkies to have fun is going for a swim. So, there are some precautions you need to take in mind for the well-being of your dog.
Firstly, always bring a good amount of clean water with you. If your Yorkie swims in saltwater, skin irritations might occur if you don’t wash it with clean water afterward. Another circumstance is your Yorkie getting dirty with sand or mud so, you need to deep clean the skin to avoid infections.
With your Yorkie going for a swim, there is a good chance it will get exhausted, so extra water for drinking and dog food for snacking is always a great choice when going on these water adventures.
A different thing to keep in mind is the cleanliness of the water bodies. Many lakes or swaps can have bacterias that can harm your Yorkie. If you notice bad conditions of the water bodies, don’t let it play in them.
Algaes can form in some of the ponds or swamps that are toxic for dogs, don’t let your Yorkie unsupervised when coming around these water bodies. In case it digests some of the algae, go to a veterinarian and do a health examination.
Final Thoughts
Generally speaking, the genetics of Yorkies developed for them to be good swimmers. Every Yorkie can swim if they are introduced to water the right way, avoiding traumatic experiences.
Always remember, to avoid forcing your Yorkie into the water if it doesn’t want to, take all the precautions we listed to provide a peaceful swimming experience. Follow the Yorkie around pools, rivers, ponds, or other water bodies, and always keep an eye on it if it’s not wearing a safety vest.
If you have any water adventure stories with your Yorkie or other recommendations on this topic, feel free to comment in the section below.