Why are Frenchies such Bad Swimmers?
Did you know that Frenchies can’t swim!? That is, swim without a buoyant life jacket and constant supervision.
Why can’t Frenchies swim, you might ask? Why not just teach them how to swim?
If only it were that easy…
Why French Bulldogs Can’t Swim
Frenchies have flat faces and a high muscle-to-fat ratio which makes it hard for them to stay afloat or even breathe at all.
Keep them away from water (at least unsupervised)
For that reason, I highly recommend keeping your Frenchie away from water (pools, lakes, even bathtubs) unless you are keeping a close eye on them.
If you know your Frenchie is going to be around water, be sure to fit them with a life vest, but even with a floatation device you still must keep a close eye on them.
Extra-rugged high-quality construction
Keep your Frenchie safe in the water
Built for adventurous Frenchies in mind
- Convenient— has an easy-to-grab handle
- Effective— keeps your Frenchie afloat so you don't need to worry when they're near water
- Visible— high visibility & reflective design makes it easy to spot your Frenchie when they're out there swimming
French Bulldogs are a Brachycephalic Breed
In addition, Frenchies’ flat faces make it almost impossible for some to keep their noses up enough for air.
Their muscular build makes it tough for them to float
The reason French Bulldogs seem to just sink in the water is that their bodies have so much more muscle compared to fat… which makes it almost physically impossible for them to float.
What you can do about it
Fortunately, your Frenchie can still go for a swim as long as you do a few things to make sure they’re safe.
You’re absolutely going to need one of the following
1. Use a Life Vest
When your Frenchie is going to be around the water a lot, it doesn’t matter if they’re going to be swimming or not.
They need a life jacket just in case they fall into the water.
When looking for a life vest for your Frenchie, you’ll want to look for these key features…
- Provides sufficient floatation
- Doesn’t cause skin irritation
- Proper fit that doesn’t slide up/down when they’re running/swimming around.
My Life Vest Suggestion – Ruffwear Float Coat
If you need a life vest to keep your Frenchie afloat in the water, I’d recommend this vest…
Extra-rugged high-quality construction
Keep your Frenchie safe in the water
Built for adventurous Frenchies in mind
- Convenient— has an easy-to-grab handle
- Effective— keeps your Frenchie afloat so you don't need to worry when they're near water
- Visible— high visibility & reflective design makes it easy to spot your Frenchie when they're out there swimming
It ticks all three boxes for a life vest: highly buoyant, high-quality materials, and a snug, safe fit.
2. Get them a Puppy Pool
If your Frenchie is just way too cool for life jackets and other annoying floatation devices, just get them a puppy/kiddie pool as seen in the video above.
When looking for a pool for your Frenchie, you’ll want to look for the following:
- Resistant to holes from their sharp claws
- Non-toxic materials
- Good size so they can easily get in or out of the pool
My Puppy Pool Suggestion – A Foldable Dog Pool
What I love about this pool is that it doesn’t need to be inflated.
You just unfold it!
That means their claws won’t destroy the pool, unlike an inflatable one.
Frenchies get overheated easily— especially in the summertime...
This easy-to-setup foldable pool is the perfect solution to keeping your Frenchie nice & cool on a hot day.
- Easy to set up
- No inflation necessary
- Perfect size for Frenchies
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Teach my French Bulldog to Swim?
No, you can’t teach a Frenchie to swim. (without a life jacket)
Their bodies simply don’t allow them to swim like other dog breeds. A life jacket is your best option, but their short noses still make swimming for them far from ideal.
Do French Bulldogs need a lifevest to swim?
Yes. Frenchies absolutely need some floatation device & constant supervision if they were to go swimming.
Can French Bulldogs swim?
Yes, but they can’t swim without help!
Frenchies need to wear a lifevest at all times when swimming. (and don’t take your eye off them!)