13 dogs that love water (and why!)

Some dogs just can’t get enough of water, whether it’s splashing through puddles, swimming in the sea or making a beeline for the nearest pond or lake! 

But did you know your dog’s breed may play a big part in their deep desire to go for a paddle - and if your dog hates water, their heritage may influence that too… 

Water dog breeds like Retrievers, Poodles and some Spaniels are *almost* guaranteed to enjoy swimming.  But why is that?

Read on to learn more about the dogs that just go wild for water. 

Why do some breeds love water?

Many water-loving breeds were originally bred to work in and around water - whether that was retrieving game, helping fishermen, or even performing water rescues. This history not only makes them strong swimmers but also influences the way they love to play today.

If your dog is always first in the water, carrying a toy, chasing after balls, or shaking their tug in excitement, that’s no coincidence - it’s all in their DNA!

1. Labrador Retriever - The Water-Loving Fetch Fanatic

Bred for: Retrieving game and fishing nets from the water
Common play behaviours: Chasing, retrieving, carrying toys around
Toys they love: Ball toys, floating fetch toys, tug toys

One of the most popular dog breeds, Labradors were originally bred to assist fishermen and retrieve ducks from lakes and rivers. This retrieving instinct is why many Labs are obsessed with fetch! They love carrying things in their mouths and will happily chase a ball into water over and over again. Floating toys or interactive retrieval games are a great way to satisfy their natural instincts.

2. Golden Retriever - The Joyful Water Chaser

Bred for: Retrieving waterfowl for hunters
Common play behaviours: Fetching, carrying, shaking toys
Toys they love: Soft toys, floating fetch toys, tug toys

Like Labradors, Golden Retrievers have a natural love for water and an inbuilt instinct to carry things in their mouths. Many Goldies love gentle tug-of-war games and will often parade around with their favourite toy. Their love for shaking wet toys after retrieving them is a throwback to their working past

3. Newfoundland - The Gentle Water Rescue Expert

Bred for: Water rescues and assisting fishermen
Common play behaviours: Swimming, carrying, problem-solving
Toys they love: Large tug toys, interactive toys, water toys

These powerful swimmers were bred to rescue drowning sailors and pull fishing nets from the sea. Their love for water runs deep, and they enjoy swimming more than almost any other breed. Many Newfies also love problem-solving, so interactive toys and tugging games can be great fun for them.

4. Portuguese Water Dog - The Energetic Water Worker

Bred for: Herding fish and retrieving lost fishing gear
Common play behaviours: Swimming, problem-solving, carrying toys
Toys they love: Tug toys, floating toys, fetch toys

Portuguese Water Dogs were bred to work in the sea, helping fishermen retrieve gear and herd fish into nets. They are energetic and love a challenge! Tug toys and interactive games that get them thinking will keep them entertained, and they’ll happily retrieve floating toys from water.

5. Chesapeake Bay Retriever - The Determined Duck Dog

Bred for: Retrieving ducks in freezing water
Common play behaviours: Fetching, carrying, shaking toys
Toys they love: Fetch toys, water toys, tug toys

Unlike other Retrievers, “Chessies” were bred to work in harsh, icy waters. They have an independent streak but still love retrieving and carrying things around. They’re big fans of fetch but often prefer toys that engage their strength, like tough tuggies that play as hard as they do! 

6. Standard Poodle - The Clever Water Retriever

Bred for: Retrieving game from water
Common play behaviours: Fetching, scentwork, carrying toys
Toys they love: Puzzle toys, soft toys, retrieval toys

Poodles were originally bred as hunting retrievers and even had a traditional “Poodle clip” to help them stay buoyant in water! Highly intelligent and playful, they love toys that challenge their brains - think brain games or retrieval games.They also have an excellent sense of smell and enjoy scent-based activities, making scentwork games and snuffle mats a great choice for them.

Remember, if you have a doodle breed, they’re part poodle - so a lot of the above may apply to your dog too!

7. Irish Water Spaniel - The Playful Puddle Lover

Bred for: Retrieving game from water
Common play behaviours: Splashing, carrying, shaking toys
Toys they love: Squeaky toys, floating toys, tug toys

This rare breed is known for its curly coat and playful, clown-like personality. They love nothing more than splashing around in water and retrieving toys. Anything that squeaks, floats, or can be carried around in their mouth is a winner.

8. Spanish Water Dog - The Energetic Herder and Swimmer

Bred for: Herding livestock and retrieving from water
Common play behaviours: Herding, fetching, chasing
Toys they love: Chase toys, floating toys, sheepskin toys

Spanish Water Dogs were originally bred to herd sheep and work in the water. This means they love chasing and controlling moving objects - making chase-and-tug games an excellent way to engage them.

9. American Water Spaniel - The Eager Water Hunter

Bred for: Hunting and retrieving in lakes and rivers
Common play behaviours: Fetching, carrying, shaking toys
Toys they love: Floating toys, retrieval toys, interactive toys

This smaller but mighty breed was bred to retrieve birds from boats and is highly trainable. They love to carry things in their mouths and often enjoy interactive games like hide-and-seek with toys.

10. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever - The Clever Water Trickster

Bred for: Luring and retrieving waterfowl
Common play behaviours: Chasing, retrieving, problem-solving
Toys they love: Floating toys, ball toys, puzzle toys

The Toller has a unique way of hunting - using playful movements to attract ducks before retrieving them. This means they love active, interactive play! Their natural enthusiasm makes them excellent fetch partners, and they enjoy toys that challenge their intelligence, so why not try the Tug-E-Nuff time trials game?  

11. Lagotto Romagnolo - The Water-Loving Truffle Hunter

Bred for: Retrieving waterfowl and truffle hunting
Common play behaviours: Digging, scent work, retrieving
Toys they love: Snuffle mats, scentwork toys, floating toys

Originally bred as a water retriever in Italy, the Lagotto has since become famous for its truffle-hunting skills. Their natural love of digging and searching means they adore scent-based games and interactive toys that let them use their nose.

12. German Longhaired Pointer – The Versatile Water Hunter

Bred for: Hunting and retrieving game from water
Common play behaviours: Tracking, retrieving, running
Toys they love: Chase toys, retrieval toys, tug toys

The German Longhaired Pointer is a natural athlete with a love for both land and water. They enjoy active play and excel in games that tap into their hunting instincts, like fetch and chase games with a toy that mimics prey movement.

11. English & Irish Setters – The Elegant Water Sprinters

Bred for: Hunting and retrieving game in fields and water
Common play behaviors: Sprinting, retrieving, chasing
Toys they love: Ball toys, lure toys, interactive toys

Setters are high-energy, athletic dogs that love to sprint through fields and splash in lakes. They thrive on fast-paced games, so they enjoy chasing after moving toys or games that let them run at full speed.

How to make the most of water play for dogs

If you’re lucky enough to share your life with a water-loving breed, playtime near water can be incredibly enriching. Here are a few ways to make the most of their natural instincts:

• Water-Friendly Fetch: Floating toys and balls can make for a fun game of fetch in lakes, rivers, or even a paddling pool.

• Hide-and-Seek with Toys: Engaging their retrieval instincts with hidden toys can be great mental enrichment.

• Splash and Play: If your dog loves splashing, let them paddle in shallow water while playing fetch with their favourite toy!

If you’re lucky enough to share your life with a water-loving dog, swimming can be a fantastic way to exercise and bond with them. Whether it’s a game of fetch in the lake or a splash in the sea, these breeds were built for aquatic adventures!

What if my dog hates water?

Not all dogs are natural swimmers! Breeds with short legs (like Dachshunds), flat faces (like Bulldogs), or very dense coats (like Huskies) may struggle in water or simply dislike getting wet. If your dog isn’t a fan of swimming, that’s okay - never force them, and always ensure their safety around water. 

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