18 Dogs That Love to Swim

By Emily Sanders. Reviewed by Barri J. Morrison, DVM on Jul. 21, 2023

labrador retriever swimming through water

There’s a dog out there for every lifestyle, and that includes avid swimmers! If you enjoy spending your days in the water, these high-energy, water-loving dogs are more than happy to join you. They’ll gladly spend hours by the poolside, cruising on the lake, and splashing on the beach right beside you.

What Is a Water Dog?

Water dogs are bred to excel in or around water. Throughout history, people have relied on these dogs for various tasks, such as flushing out or retrieving game from the water, retrieving things that fell overboard from ships, and even delivering messages between boats. Nowadays, many of these dogs have retained a water-loving disposition and enjoy having jobs where they retrieve objects. And—no surprise here—they also tend to be excellent swimmers.

Typically, water dog breeds can be identified by their waterproof coats, webbed feet, and love of swimming. They are often thought to be predecessors to modern retrievers, who, as pet parents know, always have time for a splash.

18 Dogs That Love the Water

1. Portuguese Water Dog

black and white portuguese water dog standing in front of water wearing a bandana — Photo credit: Adobe/Lynda

Originally bred to work alongside fishermen, Portuguese Water Dogs have become highly prized pets due to their intelligence, loyalty, and affectionate nature. These energetic dogs sport curly or wavy fur that doesn’t shed often but does need regular grooming. To keep them happy and healthy, it’s important to provide them with lots of exercise, so be sure to take them for a swim or other heart-pumping activity for at least 30 minutes each day!

2. Irish Water Spaniel

brown irish water spaniel sitting in tall grass — Photo credit: Adobe/slowmotiongli

One of the oldest spaniels, the Irish Water Spaniel is a rare water-loving dog. Although they resemble a Poodle due to their top knot and curly coat, these spaniels are larger and have a distinctive skinny, rat-like tail. They love swimming and excel at retrieving objects.

3. American Water Spaniel

brown american water spaniel lying on concrete tiles — Photo credit: Adobe/Steve

This pooch is the state dog of Wisconsin. A great retriever with a sensitive disposition, the American Water Spaniel has a curly coat that repels water. These dogs make a fantastic addition to families seeking an intelligent and eager-to-please companion.

4. Spanish Water Dog

brown and white spanish water dog sitting on the beach — Photo credit: Adobe/otsphoto

The very affectionate Spanish Water Dog is an energetic companion that thrives when given tasks to accomplish. Originally bred to herd cattle and retrieve waterfowl, these dogs thoroughly enjoy staying active by swimming or playing fetch in the water, where they use their webbed paws to help them swim.

5. Golden Retriever

three golden retrievers lying in the water on a beach with tennis balls — Photo credit: iStock/Chayantorn

The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. due to their intelligence, loyalty, and affectionate personality. Their famous golden coat is not only beautiful; it also helps repel water when they go for a splash—which is often!

6. Labrador Retriever

yellow lab running through water with a big stick in his mouth — Photo credit: iStock/Chalabala

One of the best dogs for swimming is the Labrador Retriever. With their muscular body and wide, otter-like tail, Labs are perfectly designed for a great time in the water. Pet parents can also train their Labs for dock diving, which combines running, jumping, swimming, and retrieving—all activities loved by Labradors.

7. Chesapeake Bay Retriever

brown chesapeake bay retriever sitting in a marshy environment — Photo credit: iStock/ktatarka

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers hold the distinction of being the first retriever breed officially registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Their thick double coat has a layer of oil that helps repel water and provides insulation to keep them warm as they swim, even in frigid temperatures. These water-loving dogs are the official state dog of Maryland.

8. Standard Poodle

white standard poodle swimming with a flotation toy in his mouth — Photo credit: Adobe/Teemu Tretjakov

Originally bred to hunt waterfowl, Standard Poodles are generally beloved for their laid-back disposition and cute wooly coat. Thanks to their history as water dogs, Poodles enjoy swimming. Their famously curly coat is water-resistant and won’t weigh them down as they swim.

9. Curly-Coated Retriever

brown curly-coated retriever looking up at the camera and smiling — Photo credit: iStock/Wirestock

The Curly-Coated Retriever is a smart and confident retriever that won’t hesitate to leap into a lake and paddle for hours. This affectionate breed is great with kids, so pet parents with children can look forward to some lakeside fun with the whole family, pooch included!

10. Flat-Coated Retriever

three black flat-coated retrievers on a hiking trail — Photo credit: iStock/martinedoucet

Intelligent and energetic, the Flat-Coated Retriever was bred to retrieve game both on land and in water. Thanks to the breed’s history, modern descendants love swimming and are well-equipped for it: Their webbed feet and water-resistant fur make these dogs ever-ready for a dip.

11. English Setter

black and white english setter sitting in a sunroom — Photo credit: Adobe/Rawpixel.com

The graceful English Setter is an excellent birding dog who particularly enjoys being in and around water. This breed loves the company of their pet parents and will gladly join them on a fun summer jaunt into the nearest pool for a good, long swim.

12. Lagotto Romagnolo

brown lagotto romagnolo dog standing in water — Photo credit: iStock/majaiva

The Lagotto Romagnolo gets its name from càn lagòt, an Italian phrase meaning “water dog” in the Italian dialect of Romagna, where this breed was used for activities like waterfowl retrieval and working in wet marshlands. Today, Lagotto dogs still love a good swim, but are often used to hunt truffles instead of waterfowl, thanks to their keen sense of smell and excellent hunting instincts.

13. Newfoundland

brown and black newfoundland dogs standing in deep water — Photo credit: iStock/stanfram

Hailing from Canada, the Newfoundland was originally bred to work on ships. These big dogs are adept at swimming and are strong enough to rescue a grown man from drowning. Their partially webbed paws and thick, water-resistant coat allow them to maneuver through the icy waters of Canada with ease, making them well-suited for jobs in water-related environments.

14. Irish Setter

red irish setter trotting through green grass — Photo credit: Adobe/Egooktamuck

Beautiful and athletic, the Irish Setter makes a great addition to many families due to their outgoing, playful, and affectionate nature. These dogs are strong swimmers and love being out and about with their pet parents, whether it’s at the beach or in a backyard pool. Notably, at least three sitting U.S. presidents have had Irish Setters: Harry Truman, Ronald Reagan, and Richard Nixon.

15. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

wet nova scotia duck tolling retriever running on a beach — Photo credit: Adobe/annaav

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, although the smallest retriever breed, is packed full of energy. These intelligent working dogs have a water-repellant double coat that serves them well while retrieving ducks and other waterfowl. When pet parents bring them close to the water or something else they desire, these vocal dogs may express their excitement by emitting playful, high-pitched howls that sound like screams.

16. Otterhound

otterhound dog standing with his front paws up on the fence — Photo credit: iStock/LourdesPhotography

The Otterhound is a breed of dog that was specifically bred for—you guessed it—hunting otters. These dogs possess several traits that make them ideal for this job: big, webbed feet; a high tolerance for cold water thanks to their thick double coat; and an exceptional sense of smell that enables them to track an otter’s scent, even underwater and several hours after the otters have left the area.

17. Barbet

black barbet dog standing in grass looking at the camera — Photo credit: Adobe/Annabell Gsödl

The Barbet, described by the AKC as resembling “a Muppet come to life,” is a shaggy, cheerful dog that loves to swim. Pronounced as “bar-bay,” the name Barbet is derived from the French word barbe, which means beard, a reference to the breed’s hairy chin. This French water dog is often mistaken for a Goldendoodle due to their similar appearance.

18. Boykin Spaniel

boykin spaniel retrieving a mallard from the water — Photo credit: Adobe/Jonathan

The Boykin Spaniel has an easygoing demeanor at home, but don’t let that fool you: they’re a keen hunter and retriever when on the job. With their webbed feet, they excel at swimming, while their luxurious brown double coat keeps them warm. This lovable water dog is native to South Carolina and was specifically bred to work in swamps and lakes.

Safety Tips for Taking Your Dog Swimming

If you have a water dog, don’t automatically assume they’re an avid swimmer. While some dogs may naturally have a greater affinity for the water, it’s important to introduce all dogs to the water gradually and under supervision.

To teach a dog to swim, follow these steps:

Begin in shallow water and gradually let them move deeper, letting your dog stop where they feel comfortable.
Never force your dog into deeper waters before they are ready.
Offer praise and positive reinforcement as your dog gains confidence in the water.
Ensure your dog has an easy and accessible way to exit the water.
Be cautious of stagnant water, which can harbor toxic algae, and fast-moving water that might be too strong for your pooch to handle.
Always follow proper safety precautions, such as using a life vest and supervising your pup at all times.