swimming in the winter?

jakeandrenee · 01-13-2011, 07:58 PM

I am trying to plan a trip to take Jake to the beach to show him the ocean and play in the sand in the next month or so. The area I want to take him to has an average air temp of 62 and the water temp is around 59. Will he be able to have fun and swim or is that to cold. I have looked and most of the info I find is about Labs swimming in cold water but nothing about GSD's. The trip I am trying to plan is really focused on Jake so I want him to be able to really run, play and swim to his hearts content.

When is the too cold???

Thanks!

PupperLove · 01-13-2011, 08:25 PM

I would allow my dogs to swim if they wanted to at that temperature. I know mine have. I take them for walks on my grandparent's acerage which has streams and they always jump right in, even in the fall when it's in the 60's. They seem to be just fine. And when they are running and running they actually tend to dry off pretty quickly. Just bring some towels to dry him off if needed and I think he will be alright. If he's running around he should keepa good body temp so I wouldn't worry about him getting too cold as long as he stays active. I'm sure if the water is too cold for him he probably won't go in.

Stosh · 01-13-2011, 09:01 PM

We live on a lake and my last gsd swam year 'round, nearly every day. Stosh will go in any chance he gets, so I figure if it's too cold they won't go in

Elaine · 01-13-2011, 09:34 PM

As long as it's not iced over, swim away.

jakeandrenee · 01-13-2011, 09:43 PM

Sounds good, I just didn't know if they have any sense at this age to figure out it's too cold. Jake was a water bug over the summer in the Tn river....

**Cassidy's Mom** · 01-13-2011, 10:18 PM

I've taken my dogs to the beach many times when it's been in the 50s, no idea what the water temp is in the ocean, but it's for sure COLD! They have no problem with it at all.

elisabeth_00117 · 01-13-2011, 10:21 PM

Stark will try to go into the part of the river that isn't iced!

I had to keep him onleash on the last hike because I didn't want him going in (it's Dec. in Canada which warrents a BRRRR COLD!). Crazy dog will swim all year round if I let him. If there is ice on the majority of the river/lake then no swiming, if not - go right ahead - just don't get Mom wet.

shepherd513 · 01-31-2011, 10:56 PM

My 8 1/2 mo. old GSD puppy LOVES the water and I just took him hiking in about 18" of snow over the weekend. He found the creek where the water was moving so it wasn't iced over. He went running into it up to his neck, then proceeded to lay down. He then went hopping around in the snow again only to go back into the water. He was just fine!

hunterisgreat · 02-01-2011, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassidy's Mom

I've taken my dogs to the beach many times when it's been in the 50s, no idea what the water temp is in the ocean, but it's for sure COLD! They have no problem with it at all.

Where you are, it's n the 40s. Dove in SD before. Miserably cold for a southern boy

01-13-2011, 07:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
jakeandrenee Knighted Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Huntsville Alabama Posts: 3,103	swimming in the winter? I am trying to plan a trip to take Jake to the beach to show him the ocean and play in the sand in the next month or so. The area I want to take him to has an average air temp of 62 and the water temp is around 59. Will he be able to have fun and swim or is that to cold. I have looked and most of the info I find is about Labs swimming in cold water but nothing about GSD's. The trip I am trying to plan is really focused on Jake so I want him to be able to really run, play and swim to his hearts content. When is the too cold??? Thanks! __________________ Renee' Jake 2/12/10 CGC TDI

01-13-2011, 08:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
PupperLove Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,086	I would allow my dogs to swim if they wanted to at that temperature. I know mine have. I take them for walks on my grandparent's acerage which has streams and they always jump right in, even in the fall when it's in the 60's. They seem to be just fine. And when they are running and running they actually tend to dry off pretty quickly. Just bring some towels to dry him off if needed and I think he will be alright. If he's running around he should keepa good body temp so I wouldn't worry about him getting too cold as long as he stays active. I'm sure if the water is too cold for him he probably won't go in. __________________ ~Laura Jackson, nicknamed "Gehngi" GSD, 5/5/10 www.youravon.com/lauranicole

01-13-2011, 09:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
Elaine Crowned Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,785	As long as it's not iced over, swim away. __________________ Elaine and the herd

01-13-2011, 09:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
jakeandrenee Knighted Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Huntsville Alabama Posts: 3,103	Sounds good, I just didn't know if they have any sense at this age to figure out it's too cold. Jake was a water bug over the summer in the Tn river.... __________________ Renee' Jake 2/12/10 CGC TDI

01-13-2011, 10:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cassidy's Mom No Stinkin' Leashes Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 24,959	I've taken my dogs to the beach many times when it's been in the 50s, no idea what the water temp is in the ocean, but it's for sure COLD! They have no problem with it at all. __________________ -Debbie- Dena 9/12/04-10/4/08 Forever would have been too short Keefer 8/25/05 Halo 11/9/08 Cassidy 6/8/00-10/4/04

01-13-2011, 09:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
Stosh Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tyler texas Posts: 8,434	We live on a lake and my last gsd swam year 'round, nearly every day. Stosh will go in any chance he gets, so I figure if it's too cold they won't go in

01-13-2011, 10:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
elisabeth_00117 Crowned Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 7,252	Stark will try to go into the part of the river that isn't iced! I had to keep him onleash on the last hike because I didn't want him going in (it's Dec. in Canada which warrents a BRRRR COLD!). Crazy dog will swim all year round if I let him. If there is ice on the majority of the river/lake then no swiming, if not - go right ahead - just don't get Mom wet. __________________ Battleborn Hundesport Wild Winds Archangel Raphael "Stark", HIC (2009-04-10) Wild Winds Zephyr "Zefra" (2011-04-15) *Beau* 03/08/97 to 06/07/10

01-31-2011, 10:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
shepherd513 Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 58	My 8 1/2 mo. old GSD puppy LOVES the water and I just took him hiking in about 18" of snow over the weekend. He found the creek where the water was moving so it wasn't iced over. He went running into it up to his neck, then proceeded to lay down. He then went hopping around in the snow again only to go back into the water. He was just fine!

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