If you have a dog, more than one dog, or have had dogs in the past, you probably know whether or not they like the water. They’ll usually let you know as soon as you try to bathe them for the very first time. There are certain exceptions to this, however — like my big dog who loves swimming but can’t stand baths!
He’s the first to jump in the creek or pond when we go for a walk, swimming happily in deep water and even strong currents. But, if I even attempt to put him in the bathtub, he acts like I’m trying to drown him. This means that even in the winter time, he gets his baths outside, so we try to avoid it at all costs in cold weather.
This dog is the only one of my “water dogs.” My older, medium-sized mixed breed doesn’t mind getting her toes wet in the creek on a hot day, but actual swimming is out of the question. My smallest dog hates water of any kind and has to be carried if the grass in the front yard is even a little bit wet. When it rains, he’ll only go outside if I carry an umbrella over him. When we arrive at the creek on one of our walks, he stops twenty feet before we even reach the bank and has to be picked up and carried until we’re safely on the other side.
I have a few friends and family members that own Labrador retrievers, and I’m always amazed at how much those dogs truly enjoy the water. They will get into any amount of water, whether it’s a small, muddy puddle on the driveway, a huge, lake, or even the ocean! They will swim and never seem to get bored of it.
The golden retrievers in this video, though they have different breeding than Labrador retrievers, are also bred to work in the water. Therefore, they have the same strong swimming instincts and skills, as well as a natural love for swimming.
It’s quite a sight when Samut Songkhram from Thailand jumps in the water, and his sixteen (yes, sixteen!) adorable golden retrievers follow him right in, delighted to enjoy a swim with their owner. They bark happily, tails wagging, and follow him to the other side and back again. It’s the cutest thing I’ve seen all day!
Watch the dogs in the video below!
