Swimming and water sports offer dogs excellent low-impact exercise and enrichment, but welfare requires attention to individual ability, water quality, temperature management, and post-swim care.
Water activities provide genuine welfare benefits for many dogs through physical exercise, mental engagement, and positive sensory experience. However, imposing water activities on dogs who show fear or reluctance, allowing swimming in toxic or contaminated water, or pushing dogs beyond their physical limits represents welfare compromise. Dogs should choose to engage with water activities based on positive experience rather than being forced into water they find aversive. Supervision at all times during open water swimming is essential to prevent welfare emergencies.