Once you become a parent of a Bernedoodle, it will not take too long before you establish a strong bond with your four-legged furry friend. You would seldom want to visit places where you cannot take your favorite pet with you. Thus, it leads many potential Bernedoodle owners to inquire whether Bernedoodles are capable swimmers. Since many people plan for beach trips, spending time beside the pool, or just engaging in a fun session in the backyard pool. The good news for you, yes, most Bernedoodles can swim. You can read more on Bernedoodles from this page.
However, there is a catch. As you know this already, Bernedoodles are a mix between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle; their swimming capabilities vary considerably based on which parent traits are more dominant. Before engaging them full throttle in such swimming activities, it is essential to know whether they enjoy swimming, how they deal with water, and most importantly, how safe they would feel when they are in water. These are some crucial factors that need to be understood. So, let us break this down appropriately for the potential and present Bernedoodle owners, and they will know what to expect.
The genetics behind Bernedoodles and water
Once you have a solid understanding of the parent breeds, you will realize the relation of the Bernedoodles to water.
- The Poodle influence: For those who do not know this already, Poodles were mainly bred as water retrievers. Thus, they are strong swimmers and bear characteristics like webbed feet, athletic builds, high stamina, and being naturally comfortable in water. So, it is inevitable that swimming for Poodles comes naturally.
- The Bernese influence: The Bernese were bred for farm work, and they hail from snowy and mountainous regions. Their activity chart never included water retrieval activities. Though they can still swim, they are heavily built, have more strength than speed, and are naturally less inclined toward water. Therefore, they are seldom considered strong, enthusiastic swimmers compared to the other retriever breeds.
So how does it affect the Bernedoodle?
Bernedoodles naturally inherit all these traits from their parents. Hence, they can swim physically, have moderate swimming ability, and depending on which parent’s influence is more, they may or may not enjoy water. To be precise, the Poodle side offers them the necessary abilities to become a swimmer and remain active, while the Bernese side can influence them to remain in their element without engaging too much in water-based activities.
Are Bernedoodles natural swimmers?
Well, to be honest, Bernedoodles are not always natural swimmers. You may observe some of them jump into water confidently on their first attempt. While some others would prefer watching the water cautiously and may also need encouragement before taking the plunge. In this regard, the Mini Bernedoodles are more agile in water; they are also more playful and curious to explore more. The Standard Bernedoodles can swim well, but they tend to tire quickly due to their size and body mass. Understanding how the Bernedoodles react when they are full grown can also help.
Bernedoodles and their liking for water
It can significantly vary. While some of the breeds would love splashing in kiddie pools, fetching toys from shallow lakes, and running along the shoreline, some of them may also prefer staying dry and observing. Thus, to indulge the ones that are not so interested in getting inside the water, they require early exposure from their human parents. Furthermore, positive experiences, water temperature, and their personality can also influence their liking of water. Dogs that are carefully introduced to water during their puppy stage do develop a liking for it.
Is swimming a good exercise for Bernedoodles?
Undoubtedly, swimming can be regarded as a good exercise for the Bernedoodles when done safely. Swimming can be classified as a low-impact activity, and it can prove excellent for their joint health and a great cardiovascular exercise. It also offers the breed a high dose of mental stimulation. Larger Bernedoodles can benefit from swimming, as they are the ones who are more vulnerable to joint stress.
The safety factor for Bernedoodles when in water
Since Bernedoodles know the art of swimming, they should be safe when they are in water. Still, supervision is necessary. On your part, it is necessary to teach them the ways to come out of the pool and make use of a canine vest when they are learning. Remember, never to force them into water, as even if they can swim, they can panic in unfamiliar environments. It can also be of good help if they are trained to find steps or ramps.
Swimming in larger water bodies
So, what happens when you are out on a tour, and the place has either a big lake or an ocean? You must keep an eye on the additional challenges that these places offer, which can be:
- Lakes: Watch out for strong currents, debris, algae, and sudden drop-offs. For your information, blue-green algae in particular is considered toxic for dogs.
- Ocean: When in the ocean, watch out for waves, saltwater ingestion, and rip currents. Incidentally, some Bernedoodles tend to enjoy chasing currents, but as you can understand, swimming in the ocean requires extra precautions.
Steps to introduce a Bernedoodle to water
The key to success is gradual exposure. It is best to start with shallow waters. So, you can initiate the experience for them by introducing a kiddie pool, taking them to calm and shallow water, and gentle shoreline areas. Let them explore at their own pace.
In this aspect, the use of positive reinforcement can also work wonders. You should praise their calm behavior, use toys, and keep the initial swimming sessions short. Avoid pushing or throwing the dog into water. Moreover, the idea should be to keep these swimming sessions filled with fun and not overwhelming them. They will naturally become confident of swimming with the passing of time. If you are wondering, are Bernedoodles easy to train, you are lucky to have such a dog that learns quickly.
Signs the Bernedoodle is comfortable when swimming
By observing how they are reacting once inside the water, you can tell whether they are feeling comfortable or not. Signs like relaxed tail movement, steady paddling, willingness to re-enter the water, and playful engagement are sure signs they are enjoying the experience. Contradictorily, if they repeatedly show signs of trying to get out of the water and show stiffness, these are clear indications that they are not feeling comfortable.
Taking care of the coat when in water
Bernedoodles have thick and curly coats. Therefore, it requires adequate care once they are out of water. You should rinse them thoroughly, dry them completely, and brush them properly to prevent their coats/curls from matting. Remember, wet and dense coats can trap moisture, which in turn can lead to skin irritation or hot spots. Accordingly, ear care is significant, as moisture inside their floppy ears can increase the chances of infections.
Do all Bernedoodles have webbed feet?
As mentioned before, some Bernedoodles may inherit partial webbing from their Poodle parent, which helps them significantly when they are in water. However, not all of them will display such strong webbing. Genetics can vary a lot in mixed breeds.
Are Bernedoodles good water dogs overall?
They can be capable swimmers, but not specialized water dogs like some other breeds. For example, compared to a Labrador retriever, Bernedoodles may have less endurance and show less natural drive for water-based activities.
Factors when swimming isn’t ideal for Bernedoodles
You shouldn’t let the Bernedoodle swim if:
- The Bernedoodle is suffering from ear infections.
- It has open wounds.
- It is extremely overweight.
- Shows strong fear when it gets near water.
- If the water is very cold, swimming isn’t a good idea as it can cause muscle stiffness.
Wrapping it up
So, as you can understand, most Bernedoodles can swim, but they aren’t natural water lovers. It is all about genetics and how early you expose them to water, which can make a considerable difference to their confidence. Overall, they are capable swimmers, but they are not guaranteed to be termed as enthusiastic water dogs. Thus, the families that prefer outdoor adventures and swimming comprise a major chunk of it; they can try to make their pet Bernedoodle enjoy water only if they develop a liking for water.