Can Yorkies swim? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

backwardsrain · 01-05-2011, 06:14 PM

My 12 week old yorkie shivers terribly when I give him a bath in warm water. I've seen youtube videos of yorkies swimming in pools, and I know someone who let their 3lb yorkie swim in a lake. This seems really dangerous to me. if he shivers this much in warm water I can't imagine what cold water will do to him!

Do you think it is okay to let yorkies swim? It would be cute but I'm afraid of giving him hypothermia.

Furbaby Friend · 01-05-2011, 06:19 PM

Hello and welcome to YT!!! Can't wait to see pics of your little one!

While I wouldn't recommend them swimming so young or so small... there are some yorkies that swim. Not mine though... she's a big baby about her bath

See this thread: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/general-yorkshire-terrier-discussion/169341-does-your-yorkie-like-water.html

Towards the end there are people that even talk about their pups swimming in pools!

gemy · 01-05-2011, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backwardsrain

My 12 week old yorkie shivers terribly when I give him a bath in warm water. I've seen youtube videos of yorkies swimming in pools, and I know someone who let their 3lb yorkie swim in a lake. This seems really dangerous to me. if he shivers this much in warm water I can't imagine what cold water will do to him!

Do you think it is okay to let yorkies swim? It would be cute but I'm afraid of giving him hypothermia.

Sure Yorkies can swim and really well to. First though at 12wks your pup is too young for lake/ocean, or even an indoor pool. You want to have all the immunizations done before exposing your pup to swimming.

So I'd wait and of course the best exposure to water, is when it is a really hot day, and you are by the lake. They will likely run in and out, and have a grand time. I always take towels with me for all the dogs, and they have a terry cloth robe for after we are done with swimming. Make sure you dry the inside of their ears (use a cotton swab/ball).

backwardsrain · 01-05-2011, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Furbaby Friend

Hello and welcome to YT!!! Can't wait to see pics of your little one!

While I wouldn't recommend them swimming so young or so small... there are some yorkies that swim. Not mine though... she's a big baby about her bath

See this thread: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/general-yorkshire-terrier-discussion/169341-does-your-yorkie-like-water.html

Towards the end there are people that even talk about their pups swimming in pools!

Oops, I didn't see that thread, thanks. Should have checked that first.

I guess he shivers so much just because he's still small and young. Hope he outgrows that!

Furbaby Friend · 01-05-2011, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backwardsrain

Oops, I didn't see that thread, thanks. Should have checked that first.

I guess he shivers so much just because he's still small and young. Hope he outgrows that!

Lol you don't have to check anything first. I just thought you might like to read it!

My girl still shivers and she was born in August. I just think they are so small that they have to shiver. I don't know if they outgrow it or not.

Britster · 01-05-2011, 06:43 PM

He's too young right now but yes Yorkies can swim. Quite a few seem to enjoy it! Jackson was maybe 6 months old when he first was introduced to the pool. Jackson is a water freak... he will go lay down in the ocean at the beach on hot days, or run through it, or dive into the pools... but he hates a bath. Bath time is often different, lol. He will also shake (out of nervousness) in the bath but he's perfectly fine in pretty cold pool water in May.

YouTube - Jackson Diving // more summer swimming!

YouTube - Jackson's Summer Fun - 06/14/10

yorkman72 · 01-05-2011, 07:17 PM

my 5/yo female loves to swim in the pool. she loves to swim in the lake also however a snake once was swiming straight at her so I dont let her swim at the lake any more.

Ashley V · 01-05-2011, 07:28 PM

Yorkies can swim just fine, if they choose to do it. Chip likes it and he likes showing off in the water. Smokey doesn't care too much for it, but he's a good swimmer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britster

He's too young right now but yes Yorkies can swim. Quite a few seem to enjoy it! Jackson was maybe 6 months old when he first was introduced to the pool. Jackson is a water freak... he will go lay down in the ocean at the beach on hot days, or run through it, or dive into the pools... but he hates a bath. Bath time is often different, lol. He will also shake (out of nervousness) in the bath but he's perfectly fine in pretty cold pool water in May.

YouTube - Jackson Diving // more summer swimming!
YouTube - Jackson's Summer Fun - 06/14/10

I think Chip, Smokey, and Jackson would have a blast together. Smokey would like to run with Jackson and Chip would like to swim with him.

Britster · 01-05-2011, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashley V

Yorkies can swim just fine, if they choose to do it. Chip likes it and he likes showing off in the water. Smokey doesn't care too much for it, but he's a good swimmer.

I think Chip, Smokey, and Jackson would have a blast together. Smokey would like to run with Jackson and Chip would like to swim with him.

I totally agree! I think those 3 boys would just have an awesome time together. I hope one day we can get them together! I don't think I'm *terribly* far from you?

FlDebra · 01-05-2011, 07:53 PM

All of mine have swam too; they just naturally know how. Mine are not as comfortable as Jackson though -- I wish they were! They love the pool but prefer to stand on the side and be splashed constantly (Ben & Candy anyway -- Annie hasn't had her pool time yet). Craziest thing I have seen! They do love getting on a float or the pool chair & being pushed from side to side. We used to have a little blow-up boat & Candy would look like George Washington the way she stood & looked out from her boat. They don't mind being held while we're in the pool but if you put them in the water they immediately swim to the steps & get out. Ben won't jump in but Candy will. If no one splashes her for awhile, she always jumps in & swims to one of us for attention.

First thing I do with my pups in good weather is teach them to find the steps in the pool so they can get out if they were ever to fall in. They cannot jump out of pool from deep water -- they need to go where the steps are so they can jump out with feet on the step. Candy was easy but it took Ben a while. He would always try to go to the closest side. I would turn him and guide him to the steps over and over. Finally, he got it! I also bought one of those Skamper Ramps for them to get out with, and they work great! But I don't always have that in the pool. I feel confident they could get out one way or the other, if they had to.

Mine do not seem to get cold in the water but after they get out they will shiver a little if we don't have a nice sunny day. Most of the time I just let them air dry, but if no sun or too much wind, I'll wrap them in a towel and take them in for a blow dry. They love pool time even it they aren't as crazy about the actual swimming part.

shodanusmc · 01-05-2011, 08:06 PM

Maxine loved to swim when we had a place in AZ. carlo for some reason did not care for it. Max had her own flotation devices, a little Water Board, tube, but would not just jump in if we were not around. she would bark at us, and that was her signal to let me in. Yes, they are great little swimmers.

Ashley V · 01-06-2011, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britster

I totally agree! I think those 3 boys would just have an awesome time together. I hope one day we can get them together! I don't think I'm *terribly* far from you?

About 70 miles.

QTQuinn · 01-07-2011, 10:03 AM

Ha, I LOVE how Jackson's tail looks like a motor!!!

I hope my pup will love the water just as much as he does!!!

ritapatt · 01-07-2011, 10:30 AM

Ziva swims for exercise when it is too hot here for walks. She took to it naturally and has great balance on a kick board! When she's done(maybe 10 minutes) we put her on a towel on the warm pool deck. My wheaten, on the other hand, flails and sinks like a lead weight!

Barkley_2008 · 01-07-2011, 12:53 PM

My yorkie, Barkley, shivers everytime he gets a bath. He has never swam before that I know of and I put him in shallow water at the lake one time. He didn't like it at all. He just swam back to me. Obviously he does not like being in the water or being wet for that matter.

01-05-2011, 06:14 PM	#1
backwardsrain YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Nashville, Tennessee Posts: 290	Can Yorkies swim? My 12 week old yorkie shivers terribly when I give him a bath in warm water. I've seen youtube videos of yorkies swimming in pools, and I know someone who let their 3lb yorkie swim in a lake. This seems really dangerous to me. if he shivers this much in warm water I can't imagine what cold water will do to him! Do you think it is okay to let yorkies swim? It would be cute but I'm afraid of giving him hypothermia.

01-05-2011, 07:53 PM	#10
FlDebra Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: FL Posts: 7,651	All of mine have swam too; they just naturally know how. Mine are not as comfortable as Jackson though -- I wish they were! They love the pool but prefer to stand on the side and be splashed constantly (Ben & Candy anyway -- Annie hasn't had her pool time yet). Craziest thing I have seen! They do love getting on a float or the pool chair & being pushed from side to side. We used to have a little blow-up boat & Candy would look like George Washington the way she stood & looked out from her boat. They don't mind being held while we're in the pool but if you put them in the water they immediately swim to the steps & get out. Ben won't jump in but Candy will. If no one splashes her for awhile, she always jumps in & swims to one of us for attention. First thing I do with my pups in good weather is teach them to find the steps in the pool so they can get out if they were ever to fall in. They cannot jump out of pool from deep water -- they need to go where the steps are so they can jump out with feet on the step. Candy was easy but it took Ben a while. He would always try to go to the closest side. I would turn him and guide him to the steps over and over. Finally, he got it! I also bought one of those Skamper Ramps for them to get out with, and they work great! But I don't always have that in the pool. I feel confident they could get out one way or the other, if they had to. Mine do not seem to get cold in the water but after they get out they will shiver a little if we don't have a nice sunny day. Most of the time I just let them air dry, but if no sun or too much wind, I'll wrap them in a towel and take them in for a blow dry. They love pool time even it they aren't as crazy about the actual swimming part. __________________ FlDebra and her ABCs Annie, Ben, Candy Promoting Healthy Breeding to the AKC Yorkshire Terrier Standard Last edited by FlDebra; 01-05-2011 at 07:55 PM.

01-05-2011, 06:19 PM	#2
Furbaby Friend YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Buffalo, NY, United States Posts: 971	Hello and welcome to YT!!! Can't wait to see pics of your little one! While I wouldn't recommend them swimming so young or so small... there are some yorkies that swim. Not mine though... she's a big baby about her bath See this thread: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/general-yorkshire-terrier-discussion/169341-does-your-yorkie-like-water.html Towards the end there are people that even talk about their pups swimming in pools!

01-05-2011, 07:17 PM	#7
yorkman72 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: oklahoma city Posts: 10	my 5/yo female loves to swim in the pool. she loves to swim in the lake also however a snake once was swiming straight at her so I dont let her swim at the lake any more.

01-05-2011, 08:06 PM	#11
shodanusmc BANNED! Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,603	Maxine loved to swim when we had a place in AZ. carlo for some reason did not care for it. Max had her own flotation devices, a little Water Board, tube, but would not just jump in if we were not around. she would bark at us, and that was her signal to let me in. Yes, they are great little swimmers.

01-07-2011, 10:03 AM	#13
QTQuinn Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 31	Ha, I LOVE how Jackson's tail looks like a motor!!! I hope my pup will love the water just as much as he does!!!

01-07-2011, 10:30 AM	#14
ritapatt YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Merritt Island,FL Posts: 1,400	Ziva swims for exercise when it is too hot here for walks. She took to it naturally and has great balance on a kick board! When she's done(maybe 10 minutes) we put her on a towel on the warm pool deck. My wheaten, on the other hand, flails and sinks like a lead weight!

01-07-2011, 12:53 PM	#15
Barkley_2008 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Arkansas Posts: 4	My yorkie, Barkley, shivers everytime he gets a bath. He has never swam before that I know of and I put him in shallow water at the lake one time. He didn't like it at all. He just swam back to me. Obviously he does not like being in the water or being wet for that matter.