Click here to learn more. A. Dogs will naturally start “dog
paddling” when they find themselves in water, but that doesn’t
mean that they can stay afloat for any length of time, that they
like being in the water, or that they can safely swim. Dogs who
can’t swim — though they may try their best — are typically
those with large, heavy chests in relation to their
hindquarters, and they often have short muzzles. These dogs may
swim well enough to splash about a little under supervision
while wearing a life vest, but that’s about it. The most extreme
example of these breeds, the Bulldog, is so poorly built for
water survival that breeders and rescue groups often require a
home check to ensure that a pool is safely fenced off, and that
an emergency monitor is used to alert those inside the house
when something, such as a child or dog, breaks the surface of
the water. Bulldogs typically sink like rocks. There aren't any
physical reasons why your Border Collie can’t swim, but she may
nonetheless be reluctant to do s