If not, do yourself a favor and watch some (thereโs one just below).
Itโs freaking adorable!
From the videos, it seems Yorkies love to swim.
But that is not always the case.
And swimming presents a number of serious dangers to these little pups, too.
Keep reading to learn whether Yorkies like to swim, how well they can swim, the benefits of swimming, and the dangers you need to be aware of.
Contents
Do Yorkies Like To Swim?
Some Yorkies like to swim and begin to doggy paddle as soon as they are in the water. However, other Yorkies do not enjoy swimming and are even afraid of water.
All dogs are individuals. You might have a Yorkie that enjoys swimming and other water activities. Or your pet might not enjoy swimming at all.
Some Yorkies are absolutely terrified of water. That is probably because they are aware of their small size and feel overwhelmed by large bodies of water. If yours does not want to swim, donโt force it.
Can Yorkies Swim?
Most Yorkies are excellent swimmers, even the ones who donโt enjoy it. And many of them love water. Your tiny dog might begin to doggy paddle as soon as it enters the water. Like all quadrupeds, Yorkies are gifted with an inherent ability to swim.
Some Yorkies love the water so much that they get excited at the sight of it and jump right into it. Check out this cute video of Zoe the Yorkie darting into the pool!
On the other hand, there are some Yorkies that dislike getting water inside their ears or getting their coats wet. They might even refuse to go for walks if it is raining. Some go to great lengths to avoid baths, and even puddles of rainwater on the ground.
If your pup does enjoy swimming, it is a great form of exercise. It has a number of benefits for your dog. But with the Yorkieโs small size, it could tire easily. You always need to be nearby to supervise your pet while it is swimming. And thatโs not the only danger swimming can present.
Letโs first take a closer look at some of the benefits swimming can give Yorkies. Then weโll look at some of the dangers inherent in swimming. It is important to be aware of both the good and bad.
Benefits Of Swimming For Yorkies
When practiced safely, swimming is an excellent low-impact exercise for Yorkies. Hydrotherapy/swimming has the following benefits for dogs.
Strengthens And Conditions Muscles
Swimming, water aerobics, saunas, and whirlpool baths provide resistance and buoyancy. This helps strengthen and condition your Yorkieโs muscles without stressing its joints. With regular swimming, your dog will experience better mobility and you will notice stronger muscles.
Increases Calorie Burn
Swimming is a great calorie-burning workout for Yorkies. These small dogs are prone to weight gain and need regular exercise. Swimming provides a great workout without any impact on the joints. This makes it an especially great choice for senior dogs and dogs with arthritis.
Helps In Treating Certain Health Issues
Swimming is a great cardiovascular workout for dogs. When combined with conventional therapies, swimming could prevent and treat canine health issues like neurological problems, ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries, obesity, diabetes, and also aid in post-illness/injury healing and recovery.
Dangers Of Swimming For Yorkies
Swimming can present some major dangers to small and lightweight dogs like the Yorkshire terrier. Thatโs why you always need to be near your Yorkie to supervise and jump in if it experiences a problem.
Waterlogged Fur
Yorkshire terriersโ long silky coats soak up the water, weighing them down. That could overwhelm or tire out your little dog. It is a good idea to put a swimming vest on your little pup:
And, of course, keep an eye on it at all times. If it appears tired, get it out of the water.
Small Legs
Yorkies have small legs and tiny teacup Yorkies have tiny legs. The smaller the legs, the easier they can get tired while doggy paddling. Their small leg size also makes it difficult for them to climb up into boats, steep docks, or kayaks.
Hypothermia
According to PetMD, certain dogs are at a greater risk of hypothermia when swimming in cold water. This includes old or senior Yorkies, very young Yorkie puppies, and Yorkies with thin, short coats.
Small Dog Syndrome
Being small in size, Yorkies often have โsmall dog syndromeโ. This leads them to think they are invincible and that they can do anything. The fact is that they can tire out easily while swimming and not realize it.
Ear Infections
Water can sometimes remain trapped inside the dogโs ears. This could lead to ear infections like swimmerโs ear. You can prevent this by drying your petโs ears thoroughly.
Fungal Skin Issues
If you fail to dry your Yorkieโs coat properly, moisture can remain trapped under it, leading to fungal skin problems. Always dry your pet thoroughly after swimming.
Do Yorkies Like Water?
As mentioned above, it depends on the individual dog. Some Yorkshire terrier absolutely love water, while others are scared to death of it.
Swimming Yorkies: Common Questions
Next, weโll answer some additional questions related to Yorkies and swimming. I f you have further questions, please ask them in the comments below.
How Long And How Often Should I Let My Yorkie Swim?
Small dogs like Yorkies can easily swim for 15 to 20 minutes per session. This is adequate to provide them with the exercise they need without them getting tired or overwhelmed.
However, you must still supervise your pet. If it appears tired, take it out of the water right away.
In the beginning, you can start by taking your Yorkie out to swim once or twice a week. If it enjoys swimming and seems excited and raring to go, then it is ok to let your pet swim every day.
Never force your Yorkie to swim. If it appears uncomfortable or frightened, look for other activities your dog can enjoy.
As with any activity, start slow. Keep the initial sessions short. No more than 5 to 10 minutes in the beginning, before increasing the duration.
How Do You Know Your Yorkie Wants To Swim?
There are several signs that indicate your Yorkie loves swimming and wants to partake in this activity.
- Your dog will appear excited and alert. It will wag its tail at the mention of swimming (water/pool or other words it understands).
- It will want to jump in the water as soon as it sees the water. Its ears will be up and it will wag its tail in happiness and excitement.
- Once it is in the water, it will begin to doggy paddle and its head will bob up and down.
- A Yorkie that is used to swimming and enjoys the activity will be calm. It will not splash around frantically.
- It will stay afloat easily and not struggle.
What Activities Do Yorkies Like?
Yorkies are playful, intelligent, and curious dogs and they love fun and games. So make time to play with your pet every day. Here are some activities most Yorkies love.
- Fetch: throw a ball and encourage your pup to bring it back.
- Hide a toy: let your pet see you hide the toy, perhaps under a towel or blanket. Then ask โwhere is the toy?โ if your pet finds it, let it have the toy and maybe a treat. In time, make the game harder. Most Yorkies love the challenge of finding objects.
- Travel: most Yorkies love to travel with their owners. They love car rides and boat rides. Being small, they are easy to tote around. Yorkies love picnics and trips to the mall too. However, some Yorkies are known to get motion sickness so do keep a watch for those signs.
Yorkies Like To Swim: Conclusion
Yorkies are born with the ability to swim, but that does not mean they like doing so. Many Yorks love water and love swimming, but others are afraid of it and do not enjoy swimming at all.
If your Yorkie enjoys swimming, it is a fun healthy activity the two of you can do together. But I do mean together. Keep close watch over your dog at all times, because swimming does present some serious dangers to these tiny pups.
If your Yorkshire terrier does not enjoy swimming, please do not force it to partake in the activity. There are plenty of other fun things you can do together. Why make you poor little pup suffer, just for your enjoyment?
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