Plenty of us decided to welcome new four-legged friends into our homes in the last couple of years – according to Kennel Club figures dog ownership soared by nearly eight percent – and post-lockdown demand for puppies remains high.
There are a whopping 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One thing to consider is that some dogs just don’t get on well with water due to a range of physical attributes which mean they are not designed for swimming.
So if you are looking for a water-loving mutt that will join you for wild swims or be comfortable by the sea or river, there are other breeds you should consider.
Here are the 10 breeds of dog that will never be great swimmers.
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9. Dachshund
As any Dachshund owner will tell you, these sausage dogs are amazingly athletic on land. This doesn't also hold true for the water though, with those wee legs meaning that they have to work incredibly hard to stay afloat. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
10. Pekingese
The Pekingese is designed for human laps rather than laps of a swimming pool. The worst combination of a flat face, short less, and little muscle meaning they should stay away from the water. They also hate the heat - so won't thank you for a summer outing to the beach. Photo: Canva/Getty Images