Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Good Swimmers?

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are becoming popular among the people as family dogs nowadays. They prove to be great partners for adults as well as children. However, if you are somewhat a more traveling kind of person, and are thinking if your Cavalier would prove to be a good companion while going the forest or areas having water, then this article is right for you. 

The answer to the above question of whether Cavaliers are good swimmers or not is yes, they can prove to be good swimmers. But it should be kept in mind that this breed has not been exactly bred for swimming. However, they have a number of characteristics making them fit for aquatic activities. But, this characteristic can be developed after a rigorous series of training. 

Do All Cavalier King Charles Spaniels like swimming?

No, not all Cavaliers like to swim. If your Spaniel does not like to bathe, then you must come to know that they would not be as helpful, as expected, while training them for swimming. So, it is better to come up with other sorts of activities that will be liked by your little friend.

However, if you observe that your Spaniel loves water, then swimming with your little can prove to be a good source of exercise and experience for you as well as your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Personality and Temperament

This breed is said to be having a friendly personality as well as are extroverts. Most of those activities, which involve people, are generally like and appreciated by Cavaliers. The urge to please their owners is found in abundance in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. This behavior adds up the potential for the Cavaliers to learn new skills, behaviors that include playing games in water and swimming. 

Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels east to train?

The responsiveness to training by Cavalier King Charles Spaniels has been somewhat ranked as average when being associated with their working intelligence. They have a good obedience potential. However, repetition of activities will help them in understanding and obeying the commands. 

If you give an extra effort in training, then your Cavalier is going to respond to you well and will learn the rules of behaving on the beach and swimming techniques too. 

Teaching your Cavalier King Charles Spaniels to Swim

You must keep in mind that before taking your Cavalier with you for swimming, he needs to be trained properly for swimming in water. Therefore, it will be required for you to start with the basics. 

During training, you would notice a number of mistakes in your little friend while swimming. He might struggle in perceiving the commands issued by you. He may panic and start swimming in the wrong direction, or try to follow something in the water. 

The first-time introduction of water to your little friend could be somewhat tricky. Therefore, it is necessary that you are well prepared for every kind of challenge. 

Most of the dogs just paddle their front paws, when introduced first time to water. So, it is better to support your dog’s back legs in order to boost his confidence.

It is always a great idea to let your dog swim with a dog life vest on him. This practice should be continued until he starts swimming properly. 

Once your dog starts to pay attention to your commands and start following them, it is always a good idea to reinforce him with verbal appreciation. In the beginning, a treat reward can prove to be encouraging for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, but after a few days, verbal praise, as well as neck rubs, can prove to be effective too. 

The training process is a slow process, therefore it needs lots of patience. But patience is of great worth, once you start to see your dog swimming properly.

Health and Safety Precautions to be considered for Swimming

No doubt, swimming with your little friend is a lot of fun. But, there are certain things to be kept in mind including health as well safety precautions to make the swimming even safer and smooth as planned. There are a few important steps related to these precautions below:

• It is advised to have Pet Insurance Swimming for your dog. This should be done, no matter how good you think that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is. Accidents could happen to anyone, anywhere. Therefore, insurance will keep you somewhat relaxed.
• Avoid swimming in severe conditions of weather. It is prohibited to let your Cavalier swim in cold, rough, or heavy rain. The most preferable weather to swim with your dog is the summer. Coldwater could cause health issues like hypothermia in your little friend. Therefore, it is better to avoid cold water conditions. 
• Always go swimming in the controlled zones. Swimming in seas or even lakes can prove to be dangerous for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
• It is advisable to clean and thoroughly dry your Spaniel after swimming. If the cleaning and drying are not done, then your Cavalier may develop an ear infection, which can pose serious health issues to your dog. It is always preferable to clean and sanitize your dog’s ear with some clean solution to avoid any issue.
• The dogs who have not completed their training can drown in water. Therefore, it is highly recommended to wear your Cavalier a dog vest. This will help him in floating even he tires himself out. 

Where can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Swim?

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can swim in a number of places. But, for doing so, they need to be trained properly. The following places can prove to be good swimming zones for Cavaliers:

Swimming in the Sea:

If you are living in an area adjacent to the sea, and also have the facility of a boat, then it can prove to be a great place to swim for you along with your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. But, it is better to wear your dog a dog vest, to keep him safe from drowning. 

Swimming in Lakes:

Swimming in an area with lots of wild animals and predators can prove to be dangerous for your Spaniel. Therefore, it is better to take safety measures before letting your little friend swim in the lakes. 

Safety measures are recommended in warmer climate areas, where there is a huge probability of hazardous predators like alligators. Therefore, you should be well prepared to tackle such issues. 

Swimming in Specialized Dog Pools:

Specialized Dog Pools are purpose-built swimming pools for dogs. These pools can prove to be a great accessory during the introductory days of your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to water. These pools help in building the confidence of your dog.

Swimming in Outdoor Pools:

It is advisable to let your Cavalier in the outdoor pools only during the daytime. The daylight will help you to keep an eye on your dog’s activity in the pool. It is also recommended to fence the pool area in order to keep your dog within the house premises. 

A large outdoor swimming pool is a fantasy, but the smaller inflatable pools can still serve the purpose to provide plenty of fun to your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. However, it should be kept in mind that your dog might bite the tube of the inflatable pool, therefore, you must keep the necessary tools with you to repair the patches.

Additional Important Swimming Tips:

There are some additional swimming tips to be kept as an owner of a dog. Some of those important tips have been described as follow:

• Before you decide to let your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel swim, it is better to make sure that your dog is well trained to enter and exit the water safely. The dog should have a good sense of apprehending commands during this phase. 
• Young Cavalier has higher energy levels, so they can swim and have fun in the water all day long. But, if you have an older Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, then it is better to let him swim under strict supervision. This is due to the fact that the old Cavaliers have low energy levels which can ultimately lead to exhaustion in a shorter duration of time.
• You should have a good grip over the CPR techniques for dogs. This technique will help you in keeping the dog safe even it drowns in the water due to some reason. 

Applying the safety tips can help you and your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to have a great time swimming. Therefore, it is better to enjoy nature and water under smart and safe techniques. 

Conclusion

As discussed earlier, not all Cavalier King Charles Spaniels like to swim. However, it does not mean that neither of them will swim. If you train your dog properly and learn the training as well as safety techniques, then your Cavalier will start to swim in an effective way. It is because of their friendly nature and urges to please their owners.

Reference

1. easyspanieltraining - can cavalier king charles spaniels swim?