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STOP DOG DIARRHEA

If your pet is battling diarrhea, you’ll know it. Pets with diarrhea may defecate more frequently than usual, have accidents in the house, and may pass blood, mucus, or even parasites in their feces, which will be softer, looser or more watery than usual.

Most cases of diarrhea resolve in a matter or hours or days without intervention, but if your pet is suffering from loose stools for more than a couple of days, or if he also experiences vomiting, loss of appetite, or lethargy, you should take him to your veterinarian immediately. Small dogs, puppies and kittens with diarrhea are especially susceptible to dehydration, therefore they should be seen by their veterinarian more quickly.

In addition to loose or watery stools, pets with diarrhea may show signs such as:

• Mucus or blood in the stools
• Worms in the stools
• Accidents in the house
• Defecating with increased frequency
• Straining to defecate

As we mentioned above, there are other signs that may indicate a more serious problem. It is worth recapping them here and adding a few to the list:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy (tiredness) or weakness
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss

Causes

There are many reasons your pet may develop diarrhea. Most commonly, it occurs when he eats something that isn’t part of his normal diet (such as garbage) or when his diet changes abruptly. When switching from one kind of pet food to another, it’s best to make a slow transition over a week, gradually mixing in more of the new food and less of the old food, to allow your pet’s digestive system to adjust, decreasing the likelihood of diarrhea.

Change in Diet

If you have changed the food that you feed your dog, this could cause loose stools. This is especially true if you changed the food suddenly, rather than making a gradual transition from one food to another. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the new food is bad for your dog, but rather that the sudden change has caused an upset in the digestive tract of your pet. It’s best, when switching foods, to first mix some of the new food in with the old and then gradually increase the new food while decreasing the old food. This makes for a smoother transition and can help eliminate the problem.

Moldy Food and Water

Would you eat food or water that has been sitting out for 2 or more days? Probably not, but some pet owners expect their dogs to eat food and drink water that has been out for a week or more. Some molds can grow very quickly and cause diarrhea. You should change your pet’s water at least once a day and food should not be left out for more than a day.

Intestinal Worms/Parasites

Not all worms and parasites cause diarrhea, but there some, such as Giardia, that do. It is caused when they disrupt the lining in the small intestine. Coccidia, which are especially common in puppies, are another parasite that can irritate the intestines and cause diarrhea. The lack of visible worms in the stool does not rule out parasites or intestinal worms as the cause of your pet’s symptoms. Treatment by a vet may be required.

Ingestion of Poisons

Insecticides and other household chemicals can be toxic to your pet. Diarrhea is just one possible effect of your pet ingesting such toxins. If you suspect that this is the cause of your pet’s diarrhea, it’s vital that you get him to a vet or call the pet poison control center right away. Because many household chemicals can be fatal if ingested by your pet, it’s important to keep them out of reach in order to keep your pets safe.

Antibiotics

If your vet has prescribed an antibiotic for your pet, this could be the cause of his diarrhea. Just as some humans experience side effects when taking certain medications, so do pets. If you suspect that your dog is experiencing side effects from a prescribed medication, talk to your vet right away. He may tell you to continue the treatment, or he may prescribe a different medication. Do not discontinue administering the antibiotic without talking to your vet as he may decide that the side effect of having diarrhea is necessary in order to treat the problem for which he prescribed the antibiotic.

Pancreatitis

When a dog has pancreatitis, it causes an inflammation of the pancreatic gland. The disease can be the result of trauma, ingestions of toxins, a virus or other causes. The disease, for which diarrhea is just one symptom, is potentially life-threatening and treatment by a vet is required.

Ingestion of Certain Foods (such as chocolate)

Most pet owners know that dogs should not eat chocolate. In fact, eating the sweet treat that humans enjoy so much can be fatal to dogs. If your dog has ingested chocolate and has diarrhea, it’s a good idea to call your vet. There are other foods that can cause similar symptoms. Chocolate and other harmful or unfamiliar foods are a common cause of diarrhea in pets.

Ingestion of Foreign Objects

Most pet owners have seen their dog munching on grass one minute and vomiting the next. When a dog ingests a foreign matter, be it grass, a strange plant or a stuffed animal, his digestive system may not be pleased. The result can be vomiting and/or diarrhea. It should be clear when this is the cause as the offending object is likely to be visible in the stool or vomit.

Stress

One very common cause of dog diarrhea is stress. If your dog has been boarded, left alone for longer than usual, been to the vet, experienced a move or an addition to the family (either two-legged or four-legged) this can cause stress in your pet. In some dogs, stress can trigger episodes of diarrhea. Usually, the symptoms will go away once the pet is removed from the stressful environment or he grows accustomed to the changes that have taken place around him.

You do not necessarily need to run to the vet because your dog had one or two loose bowel movements. There are times, however, when an immediate trip the vet or pet emergency center is warranted.

Sudden Onset

When diarrhea comes on very suddenly, that alone may mean you need to see a vet. Dehydration is a serious complication, and this is especially true in puppies and in senior dogs. Dehydration has the potential to be fatal, so if the symptoms come on suddenly and are severe, you should get to your local vet or pet emergency center as soon as possible.

Bloody Diarrhea

If you see bloody diarrhea, contact your animal care doctor immediately. Waiting even a day or two could prove fatal to your pet.

Diarrhea Accompanied by Other Symptoms

If your dog has diarrhea but is otherwise acting normal, there may not be cause for alarm. If however, there are other symptoms such as lethargy, complete lack of interest in food or water or if the animal seems to be in pain, you need to contact your vet immediately.

Other possible culprits include:

• Bacterial overgrowth in the digestive tract
• Viruses
• Parasites
• Ingestion of foreign objects, such as toys, bones, and fabric
• Food allergies
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Antibiotics and other drugs
• Toxins
• Pancreatitis
• Diseases in other organs (such as liver disease)
• Cancer

What To Do At Home

Here are some steps that you can take at home to help your pet start feeling better:

1. Assess your pet. If he seems to be feeling well and isn’t dealing with other symptoms, such as lethargy, poor appetite, or vomiting, and if the diarrhea is an isolated incident, meaning it resolves itself over a period of less than a few hours, you’re likely not dealing with an emergency situation. 

2. If your pet’s diarrhea is prolonged, unrelenting, or if it’s accompanied by a significant change in demeanor or the sudden onset of other significant symptoms, you should consider this an emergency. If your pet's stool has bright red blood or you notice very dark or black stools, consider it an emergency. Call ahead and let your veterinary hospital or local ER know you’re on your way.

3. Keep track of the frequency and type of diarrhea (what it looks like), so you can talk to your veterinarian at your next regular visit. If you notice any increase in frequency or worsening of symptoms, however, make an appointment to see your veterinarian to have the condition checked out soon.

4. Feeding a bland diet, skipping a meal (for dogs only), or offering a veterinarian-recommended probiotic preparation might also help — but only for a short time. Call and seek your veterinarian’s advice if the symptoms persist and always before beginning any drug therapy.

What Your Veterinarian Will Do

Your pet’s doctor will follow several basic steps to figure out what’s causing your pet’s loose stools. These may include:

1. History: Your veterinarian will want to know the answers to questions such as: When did you first notice the problem? How has it changed? How has your pet been otherwise?

2. Physical examination: What a pet looks and feels like can tell veterinarians a whole lot about diarrhea. Checking out the entire pet is considered an essential step, even when investigating a seemingly simple case of garbage-eating.

3. Labwork: Your veterinarian may run any of the following basic tests: A CBC (complete blood count), blood chemistry, thyroid hormone test, urinalysis, and fecal examination. For cats, FIV (feline AIDS) and FeLV(feline leukemia) tests may also be recommended.

4. X-rays (radiography): This common imaging study will help examine the intestines and other abdominal organs. Most pets with diarrhea will be specifically evaluated for the presence of gas or abnormal objects in the stomach or intestines, the presence of masses, fluid in the abdominal cavity, and the abnormal size or appearance of organs (like an enlarged liver, for example).

5. Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to help get a more three-dimensional sense of how things are working in the gastrointestinal system.

6. Gastrointestinal function tests: There are a variety of additional tests that can be conducted to determine the origin of the diarrhea symptoms. In cases of severe or recalcitrant diarrhea, or in cases in which the cause remains elusive, these tests can help accurately pinpoint the cause.

7. Endoscopy/colonoscopy and biopsy (to retrieve a tissue sample): This test is most commonly administered in cases of chronic diarrhea. Anesthesia is required.

Treatment

Definitive treatment of diarrhea depends on the underlying cause. In mild cases, your veterinarian may recommend a bland diet that will be easy for your pet’s body to digest. If your veterinarian finds bacterial overgrowth, your pet may need probiotics or oral antibiotics to restore the normal balance of bacteria in the digestive tract. Medications to firm the stool or treat parasites may be necessary. Diarrhea caused by ingestion of foreign objects may require surgery.

More chronic cases of diarrhea are often treated with special diets and medications. In some cases, the underlying problem may not be completely cured and may need to be managed throughout the pet’s life. Your veterinarian can guide you to the best treatment for your pet.

This has been reviewed by a Veterinarian.

Source: Vetstreet, professorshouse

WAR HERO DOGS BROUGHT TO U.S BY LOVING SOLDIERS

In honor of dogs and the military, catch ‘No Dog Left Behind,’ the moving TV documentary about stray dogs in Iraq and the soldiers who love them. These war dogs are often every bit as heroic in their actions and support of soldiers as the highly-trained military working dogs in Seal Team Six. This is the story of service men and women who are willing to do whatever it takes to get their canine comrades  home. Operation Baghdad Pups is working to rescue these dogs and reunite them with their service men and women. – Global Animal

Read about dogs who help soldiers recover from PTSD

Military Channel

No Dog Left Behind is a documentary about the enduring friendships forged in wartime between military men and women and their canine comrades. It is a film that reveals the power of the human-animal bond to comfort, heal, and inspire the best in people in the worst situations; to find their humanity in the midst of dehumanizing conditions. The war in Iraq has seen an unusual number of troops rescuing stray dogs and caring for them, in spite of military prohibitions.

Beyond the risks they have taken to save these animals lives, the soldiers and Marines in our film have also battled enormous odds to arrange their dogs’ safe passage to the United States. They did so without truly realizing how instrumental their dogs would be in helping them adjust to life after wartime and dealing with the losses they suffered during their deployment. As retired Marine Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman says of his rescue dog Lava: “Many times, he’s been my best friend and my only friend.”

Helping these soldiers and scores of others is a tireless and determined animal rescuer who has gone to heroic lengths to set up an under-the-radar network of airlines and contractors, veterinarians and donors working together to bring these animals home. Terri Crisp began Operation Baghdad Pups after receiving an email at her office at SPCA International in 2007, from a soldier named Charlie Watson. Watson was desperate to find a way to get his dog to safety in the U.S. at the end of his deployment, when he knew the dog would be euthanized.

As word spread that SPCA International was mounting a rescue operation, Crisp was inundated with emails before she had any semblance of a plan. Unable to use military planes to fly into Baghdad and without a way to retrieve the animals from the far flung locations where the troops were stationed, Crisp amassed enough money from donations to hire security contractors and to pay private airlines, veterinarians, kennels and trainers to fly the animals via Kuwait to Dulles Airport in D.C., vaccinate and quarantine them and eventually get them into the hands of soldiers’ family members.

“I knew from the beginning that we were breaking the rules,” says Crisp. “But if the men and women who befriended thee animals were willing to take that risk, I was willing to do it too.”

Of the four beloved dogs featured in No Dog Left Behind, two were rescued by Crisp. Shortly after a mangy puppy named Moody was discovered by members of Staff Sergeant Bryan Spears’ company, the unit was told the dog had to go. A few weeks later, five of the soldiers on the team were killed by a suicide bomber. That same night, the dog miraculously returned. For Spears, it was a sign that the friends he’d lost were keeping an eye on the rest of the company. Moody became a lifeline for many of the devastated young soldiers who had never seen death up close.

“We weren’t helping the dog,” says Spears. “The dog came back to help us.”

Air Force Major Jennifer Mann was part of a combat stress team that was working with Army units in western Iraq. One of her teammates brought back a puppy that was to be euthanized unless someone could put it to work. The tiny pup was pressed into service as an unofficial therapy dog. Named Patton, he became a major draw for many troubled soldiers who might not otherwise have come to the clinic for services. And when one of her patients committed suicide, Mann turned to Patton for comfort. “He was a blessing and he came at exactly the right time.”

Major Brian Dennis and Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman were among the many Marines who went to extraordinary lengths, fighting red tape and countless obstacles, to try to bring their dogs home. Both men forged deep emotional connections with animals who are as close to them today as their other battle buddies from the war in Iraq. Of the injured dog who tracked his team seventy miles in the desert and stood by him on every watch, Dennis says: “I became enamored of the idea of Nubs transitioning from the sands of Iraq to the beaches of San Diego, California, and how amazing that would be. He earned it.”

Source: Global Animal

FAVORITE DOG TREAT RECIPES

  

Cheese Balls

Submitted by Kellyann Conway of Florida

1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup cottage cheese
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 / 3 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, mix the cheddar cheese and cottage cheese, then add the vegetable oil and Worcestershire sauce. Very slowly, mix in the flour. Mix until you see that the dough can easily be molded. Divide the dough into bite-sized balls about the size of a marble, then roll the balls in the chopped nuts. Arrange the balls on a cookie tray.

Bake for about 20 minutes or until cheese balls are golden brown. Make sure they are completely cool before giving them to your pooch, and store any leftovers in a covered container in the fridge.

Super Simple Yum Drops

Submitted by Kristi Simmons of Texas

An easy micro waveable treat for busy people who still want to cook for their furry companions!

3 jars baby food meat (or vegetables)
1-½ cup wheat germ (or cream of wheat)
1 egg

In a bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.

For the micro wave: Drop by spoonfuls on a wax paper covered plate and cover with wax paper. Cook on high in micro wave for 5 to 8 minutes or until treats are formed and firm.

For the oven: Drop by spoonfuls on a nonstick cookie tray. Bake at 300 degrees for about 50 minutes.

Let cool completely before giving them to your pup. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container.

Editor's Note: Read the label of the baby food jars to be sure the contents don't contain garlic, garlic powder, or onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs.

Liver Snaps
Submitted by Kellyann Conway of Florida

1 pound chicken livers
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup corn meal
1 egg

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Put the chicken livers in a blender and liquefy them. Add the egg and blend for another minute. Pour the mixture into a bowl. Add the flour and corn meal and mix well. Spray a cookie sheet with some non-stick cooking spray and pour the mixture onto it. Using the tip of a butter knife, lightly score the surface in a square pattern to make it easier to cut after baking.

Bake for 15 minutes. Cut into small squares while still warm. For safe storage, put them in a resealable container and keep them in the freezer.

Shredded Roast Chicken with Stuffing
Submitted by Cary Moran of Pennsylvania

(1) 5 to 8 pound oven roaster chicken
1 sweet potato, cooked and mashed
1 cup oatmeal
6-8 egg shells, boiled, dried, and crushed (to provide bone meal)
1 cup cooked spinach
1 tablespoon rosemary
1 teaspoon sea salt (not table salt)
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 cup water
(1) 12 ounce can low sodium chicken broth or vegetarian vegetable broth
4 tablespoons of unbleached flour

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Rinse the chicken and pat dry.

To make stuffing: In a bowl, combine mashed sweet potato, oatmeal, dried egg shell, and spinach. Combine rosemary, sea salt and parsley and rub on the chicken. Stuff chicken. Place chicken in a shallow roasting pan with one cup of water and one cup of either low sodium chicken broth or vegetarian vegetable broth, saving four ounces to make a gravy.

Cover with aluminum foil and cook for 1 hour. Remove foil and begin basting every 10 to 15 minutes. Using a cooking thermometer inserted at the thickest part of the chicken, cook until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees and juices run clear. Let chicken stand for 10 minutes and whisk remaining juices with flour to make a gravy. Scoop out stuffing and set aside.

Once the chicken cools to a comfortable handling temperature, remove chicken from the bones and shred. Mix shredded chicken, stuffing, and gravy and refrigerate in an airtight container. Use it as a topping for dry food, or temporarily as a food replacement.

Fried Rice (For You and Your Dog!)
Submitted by: Eunice Peters of Kansas

2 to 3 cups cut up chunks of any meat (pork and chicken work best)
2 cups cold cooked rice (day- old, stored in refrigerator)
3 eggs
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sunflower oil or safflower oil (for vitamin E)
1 tablespoon dried or fresh parsley
*Optional: Juiced carrots and other assorted veggies. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons before each serving that way the nutrients remain intact and are fresh.
*Optional: Dog vitamins pounded into a powder.

Beat eggs lightly in a bowl and set aside. Heat wok or large pan over medium heat. When oil is hot, add the meat. Cook until almost done (a little pink in middle). Add rice. Stir frequently to avoid food sticking to pan.

When rice is warm, add the eggs, still stirring frequently. When the eggs are almost completely cooked, add soy sauce, parsley, and garlic powder. Stir frequently until dry and somewhat crispy. It should take up to 15 minutes to cook the entire dish. Cool completely before serving. Put mixture in your dog's dish, add the juiced vegetables and vitamins.

"Peamutt" Butter and Pumpkin "Pupcakes"
Submitted by Gina Moultrie of Nevada

2-½ cups water
½ cup canned pumpkin
1 egg (slightly beaten)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup peanut butter (chunky)
3-½ cups whole wheat flour
½ cup oats
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix water, pumpkin, egg, vanilla, and peanut butter. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, baking powder, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Mix wet and dry ingredients together and stir well. Spoon into a greased mini-muffin pan, making sure each cup is filled completely and piled high. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until firm (but not too brown).

Cool completely and store in an open container or paper bag in the refrigerator. Makes 30 mini pupcakes.

Doggone Birthday Cake
Submitted by Jennifer Latshaw of Pennsylvania

1 ½ cups all- purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ cup margarine, softened
¼ cup corn oil
(1) 3 ½ ounce jar strained beef (baby food) or strained chicken
1 cup shredded carrots
3 eggs
2 strips bacon, fried and crumbled, or dog beef jerky
Plain yogurt or cottage cheese for icing.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour an 8- inch round pan. Cream butter until smooth. Add corn oil, baby food, eggs, and carrots. Mix until smooth. Gradually add flour and baking powder, mixing until smooth. Fold in crumbled bacon (or beef jerky). Pour batter into cake pan. Bake 60 to 70 minutes, depending on your oven-surface of the cake should be springy to the touch. Let cool. Top with plain yogurt or cottage cheese. Refrigerate any remaining portions.

Editor's Note: Read the label of the baby food jars to be sure the contents don't contain garlic, garlic powder, or onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs.

PB and Cheese Biscuits
Submitted by Kellyann Conway of Florida

1 cup flour
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (organic, natural, or sugar- free are best for your pup)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg white
1 tablespoon of water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, mix the flour and milk until lumpy, then add the peanut butter and water. Mix in the parmesan cheese and then add the egg white. The mixture should have the consistency of pancake batter. Add the baking powder.

Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray and spoon the batter onto it in approximately two inch blobs. Bake for about 20 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Let them cool and serve 'em up!

   Source: petfinder

DOG PAW PAD INJURIES IN SUMMER HEAT

Hot Pavement Can Burn a Dog's Paws, Causing Injury to Foot Pads. The hot weather poses many dangers to dogs. Most pet owners know that dogs can suffer heat stroke and sunburn, but many overlook paw pad injuries and burns. The summer heat and hot sun means there's serious dangers facing dogs in the summertime. Dogs can develop heat stroke and sunburn in the hot weather, but one danger to dogs that's frequently overlooked is the potential for paw pad injuries and burns from walking a dog on hot pavement or sand.

Summer Paw Pad Injuries

A dog owner could be exposing his/her dog to paw pad injury or severe discomfort from hot pavement or sand on a daily basis without even realizing it!

What's worse, a dog's paw pad injuries are hard to treat. Paw pad cuts, blisters and sores are prone to infection and healing is slow due to the constant pressure placed on the dog's injured paw.

When a dog paw pad injury occurs due to hot pavement or sand, healing can be complicated by the fact that in most cases, all of the dog's pads are injured with burns and sores – it's not a situation where the dog sustains a paw pad injury on just one foot (thereby enabling the dog to limp, which limits pressure to the paw, allowing the dog's pad injury to heal.)

Preventing Dog Paw Injury in the Summer Heat

• Walk the dog in the early morning or evening to avoid paw pad burns. Avoid walking the dog in the heat of the day, when the sun beats down, heating the pavement and sand.
• Walk the dog on the grass. The grass remains cooler than the sidewalk, lessening a dog's chance of paw pad injuries in the summer. This makes a trip to a shady park a good option for an afternoon walk in the summertime.
• Take frequent dog walks on the pavement during cool times of day. This will help toughen a dog's paw pads by promoting the formation of callus. This makes the skin of the dog's foot pads thicker and less prone to injuries like burns and cuts. Dogs who rarely walk on pavement will have more sensitive paw pads and they require more frequent nail clippings, as walking on pavement files the dog's nails.
• Moisturize the dog's paws on a daily basis. Keep a dog's paws well moisturized with Vaseline® or a special paw pad balm or cream, like Musher's Secret®. Moisturizing the dog's paw pads will prevent cracking, peeling and minor pad cuts. These injuries will cause the dog's pads to become more sensitive once healing is complete, so preventing injury is key.

Treating Paw Pad Injuries Like Burns, Blisters and Sores

• Wash the dog's injured paw pad using antibacterial soap like Dial® and rinse thoroughly
• Pat the injured foot with a clean towel to dry the area.
• Pour an antiseptic like betadine (preferred) or hydrogen peroxide over the burned, blistered or cut paw pad and allow the liquid to air dry. (Note: Hydrogen peroxide can damage tissue and delay healing. After the initial cleaning, hydrogen peroxide must be used at half-strength, with 50% water added. This is why betadine is preferred.)
• Apply a generous amount of antibiotic ointment to the site of the dog's foot pad injury.
• Wrap the paw and ankle with rolled gauze. Roll the gauze in a "figure 8" pattern, looping around the paw and ankle to prevent the bandage from slipping off.
• Cover the bandage with a sock, placing a bit of tape around the dog's leg at the sock's ankle to hold the sock in place. The sock will prevent soiling of the foot bandage.
• Bring the dog to the veterinarian for an examination. Antibiotics are often prescribed for a paw pad cut, burn or sore due to the high risk of infection.

Typically, bandaging is not recommended for a dog's injury as the limited air flow can promote the growth of anaerobic bacteria. But paw pad injuries are an exception to this rule, as without a bandage, the injured paw pad will be contaminated with bacteria and irritated by debris.

Paw pad burns and cuts are very prone to infection, so visiting the veterinarian is very important. A more thorough cleaning may need to be performed under anesthesia; removal of dead tissue may also be necessary to allow for healing to occur. Antibiotics are often required for complete healing; a visit to the vet is even more vital when more than one paw is involved, which is often the case with foot pad burns.

In the case of a dog with burns (or other injuries) on more than one foot, pain medication may be prescribed since the dog will be forced to walk on injured paw pads. Burns in particular are very painful.

Source: suite101

DO AL DOGS KNOW HOW TO SWIM?

Dogs are born with strong natural instincts, including barking, digging and being totally lovable to humans. Some people also think that swimming is a skill that all dogs naturally have. Why would they call it the "doggie paddle" unless it was something all canines could do? But swimming isn't necessarily an innate ability for dogs. While many pooches are perfectly amphibious, many of man's best friends tend to sink like a sack of bricks when submerged. For these dogs, keeping their heads above water is about as easy as keeping their noses away from other dog's rear ends. In other words, it's pretty much impossible.

When it comes to swimming, canines generally fall into one of three categories. There are those that can swim, those that can be taught to swim and those that should steer clear of all aqueous environments. Water spaniels, golden retrievers, Irish setters, English setters, and the water-loving Newfoundland fall into the first category -- all excellent swimmers. This is mainly because of their strong limbs, but this ability may also be in their genes. Many were bred specifically to retrieve waterfowl or for water rescue. Each of these dogs has a strong tradition of swimming within the breed and generally enjoys being in water.

At the other end of the spectrum are the low and lovable sturdy breeds like bulldogs, dachshunds and boxers. There simply isn’t enough thrust from their short legs to keep them afloat in aquatic environments. Breeds that have short faces, such as the pug, also have a very hard time swimming since they fatigue easily. Small dogs such as the Maltese and Chihuahua are sometimes good swimmers, but may become easily chilled or frightened in the water, which can increase the risk of drowning.

Some dogs may have the physical capacity to swim, but have a mortal fear of the water nonetheless. These animals tend to panic when submerged. For a dog in water, panic quickly leads to fatigue, which makes drowning much more likely. That spells bad news for you and your pet. When a dog is frightened in the water, he will attempt to climb on top of you, kicking and scratching until you manage to get to land (if you're teaching your dog to swim, bring a pup-appropriate life preserver). An animal's individual temperament is also an important factor in whether he can swim. Some dogs don't even like to go out in the rain, let alone go swimming.

And if your dog isn't a canine version of Michael Phelps, don't despair. You can still enjoy water fun with a land-loving lapdog. Assuming your pet actually enjoys being submerged, there are many different life vests and jackets that can keep your pooch safe and sound in the pool or pond. And for those who prefer to remain dry, there is always a doggie day bed for a snooze at the water's edge.

Source: http://animal.discovery.com/guides/dogs/dog-training/behavior/do-all-dogs-know-how-to-swim.html