Winter swim, icy snow. What are the facts?

[wolfy dog]

In the past my Malinois swam in a pond and broke the thin layer as if she was an icebreaker. Never had any ill effect but it blows my mind how they can stand that cold water on their tummies.
I won't keep WD out of the water. I assume that when he goes in he can handle it. I do play fetch with him afterwards but that is probably more for my own peace of mind than for him.
To nikkitta: all my dogs have been swimmers but they were introduced to water as soon as I got them as puppies. They didn't actually swim until they were about 6 months old, except for WD who swam as an 11 week old after jumping off the dock after another dog. To my surprise he never got scared.
How did you introduce them to water and at what age?

[kiya]

I don't let my dogs swim when it's really icy cold, mainly because they will stay wet for longer than I like. I try to avoid vet bills.

[huntergreen]

i am sure most, if not all of you know more than i do, but i think letting a gsd swim in freezing water is a mistake. no doubt in my mind at the very least it may cause some stiffness in their joints in later years.

[Good_Karma]

Originally Posted by Nikitta

Where do you guys get these german shepherds that love the water? I'm on my 6th and 7th GSD and I haven't owned one yet that liked water.

Mine hates the water, absolutely terrified of it! At least I don't have to worry about him going in our pond. Although when it is frozen I am more than a little paranoid about the dogs deciding to walk out onto it.