It was pouring and the gutters were filled with rapidly moving water.
Sitting by the window in the warm pub, we watched the neighbourhood dogs go by. Some were bouncing through the puddles, having a blast. Others minced along, tails down, visibly grumbling about the weather. Some of the dogs wore coats, but of course none had a hat.
One little dog, a Shih Tzu by her pretty coat, trotted out of the groomer’s shop next door. By the hasty way she exited, she was glad to see the back of the place.
Curiously, she danced straight through a puddle, splashing happily. Her dad picked her up swiftly, but the little dog didn’t care. She stuck her nose straight up in the air, laughing in the rain.
While it’s clear some dogs love water, it made me curious why some dogs are fine with rain but absolutely against baths. When in doubt, consult an expert. I texted Brenda Chia, pet lover and sponsorship coordinator for the NGO, Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB).
“My dogs are firm water lovers or water haters,” Chia laughs. “Warrior is 10 years old, and a Doberman. He won’t go near a puddle, muddy or otherwise. He also dislikes baths. Peanut who is nine years old, and a mixed breed, is the same.
“But Fighter, their companion Rottweiler who sadly passed away three years ago, adored water. He swam, went out in monsoon rain, and he also loved his baths.”
Fighter (centre) loved water but Warrior (right) and Peanut, not so much. Photo: Brenda Chia
Warrior is a big dog and Peanut is sizable too, but they submit every fortnight to a soaping up.
“Warrior wants it over fast,” Chia shares. “He’s in and out as quick as can be. Peanut used to shiver out of sheer nerves. She still doesn’t like it, but when I tell her it’s time, she goes into the bathroom and let’s me get on with it.”
And the rescues that MDDB rehabilitate and adopt out?
“New rescues are too scared for showers,” Chia points out. “We have to establish trust first, so we talk to them, pat them, and very carefully spoon a little water over them with our hands. There’s no way you can use the shower because they’d panic.
“Once they have settled, some are OK and trust us to give them a cleanup. Others remain scared.”
Some of the nervousness may also be because not all dogs can swim. Like us, many dogs will learn but some breeds really aren’t made to even try.
Pomeranians are bouncy but they have short little legs which means they have trouble paddling.
Basset Hounds also have short legs and because they have long barrel bodies, their bottoms sink while they paddle wildly to keep their head above water.
You’d have to think long and hard before putting the gorgeous longhaired Maltese anywhere near a pond, but if you did, you’d probably put that pet in danger.
Aside from their super long coats that can become waterlogged, Maltese have weak throats, especially when they’re older. Swimming is therefore discouraged as they may find it hard to breathe.
Similarly, Pugs and Bulldogs should be kept away from water because their squashy faces make it harder to breathe. Swimming is too intensive, and they can’t cope.
Greyhounds are another case altogether. Although these dogs are magic on land, racing along with bursts of speed that make them the F1 of the canine world, they don’t swim well due to their long lean bodies and thin legs.
Thankfully, as they’re also the coach potatoes of the dog world once away from the racetrack, they probably won’t be upset at missing out on swim parties.
The dogs that are made for water are the Retrievers and Spaniels. Both breeds are traditional hunters’ companions, bred to fetch and bring back ducks and other birds even if they’ve landed in a lake.
Splashing in and out of rivers and ponds, Retrievers and Spaniels are famous for having coats that repel water. Flat-coated Retrievers go one further and have webbed paws that help them swim even more efficiently.
Those that come from traditionally cold countries, like the Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, have oily double coats that keep them warm even in icy water.
Dogs do sense their skills limit. In parks and by the beach, the water dogs make a beeline for the water while the daintier pets edge in and splash in the shallows. But even happy-go-lucky Retrievers slow down and hesitate when they enter the groomers.
“Maybe it’s because baths are not fun, but rivers and puddles are?” Chia suggests.
Thinking back to that Shih Tzu mix, that makes a lot of sense. Maybe, like kids, dogs associate groomers with being soaped so you can look your Sunday best, whereas puddles and rivers are about running wild and having a blast.
Now if the groomer could introduce bones and chews to bath time, maybe that would help!
Adopt Me
Shadow is a four-year-old Border Collie. This sweet lady is spayed, vaccinated, and healthy. Shadow is gentle and submissive but loves to play.
Photo: KL Pooch Resort and Rescue/Shannon Lam
This sweetheart is looking for a kind forever home. Interested adopters please contact Carol (012-396 0977) to view in Shah Alam or Kalumpang.
