Which dog breeds are the best swimmers? Meet the canines that love to take a dip

Which dog breeds are the best swimmers? Meet the canines that love to take a dip

From historic retrievers to fisherman's friends, these water-loving breeds have the natural skills, coats and paws to make a real splash

Published: March 31, 2025 at 11:06 am

Some dogs aren't huge fans of the sea, while others will happily chase balls into the water  for hours on end.

Many of these dog breeds have been developed for spending time in water, thanks to their water-resistant coats, webbed paws and natural ability for swimming endurance.

Best swimming dog breeds

Some dogs carry the name 'water dog', which refers to the breeds which have been naturally adapted and bred for swimming and working (and retrieving game) in water. Usually, this means they have water-resistant coats and webbed paws, to help with swimming.

Barbet

The barbet is a French water dog, bred as a game retriever in marshes and swamps. With a solid build for hunting and swimming, it also has webbed paws.

The barbet is included in our round-up of hypoallergenic dogs, as it doesn't shed so is well suited to dog owners with allergies.

A brown dog with a lead on sits on green grass
A barbet during an FCI dog show in Switzerland (credit: Corinne Benavides via Flickr)

Irish water spaniel

This curly-coated spaniel was bred as a water retriever, with a recognisable tapering "rat tail" and liver-coloured coat. Despite being a very popular dog during the Victorian era, the Irish water spaniel is now one of the rarest dog breeds in the UK.

The profile of a brown dog against a field of green grass
An Irish water spaniel (credit: Getty Images)

Lagotto Romagnolo

The Lagotto Romagnolo is thought to be the original breed from which all water dogs are descended, and has captured the public's attention since King Charles III welcomed a Lagotto Romagnolo called Snuff into his family in early 2025. A Lagotto Romagnolo was crowned Best in Show at Crufts in 2023.

A Lagotto Romagnolo sitting at the beach next to rockpools with its tongue out
A Lagotto Romagnolo at the beach (credit: Getty Images)

Otterhound

The otterhound was bred for hunting otters, with a rough double coat and webbed feet which makes them ideally suited to spending time in the water. This breed is at risk of disappearing, because the disbanding of otterhound packs led to a sharp decline in their UK population.

We included the otterhound in our round-up of the weirdest (yet wonderful)-looking dog breeds.

An otterhound on a leash
An otterhound on a leash (Credit: Getty)

Portuguese water dog

Portuguese water dogs were bred as fisherman's companions on long expeditions around the coast of Portugal and even into Iceland. With webbed feet, the Portuguese water dog was used to "herd" fish into fishermen's nets.

A profile of a Portuguese water dog
The Obama family dog, a Portuguese water dog named Bo, trots across the South Lawn of the White House (credit: Getty Images)

Spanish water dog

The energetic Spanish water dog has a woolly, curly coat and was historically used as both a herder and waterfowl retriever.

A dog stands with its tongue out
Spanish water dog (credit: Màrtainn MacDhòmhnaill via Flickr flickr.com/photos/martainn/9255726252/)

Top image: Labrador jumping in Lake of St Moritz, Switzerland (credit: Getty Images)

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