15 Water Dogs That Love Swimming

• Size: Medium
• Life Expectancy: 10–14 years
• Temperament: Sporty, active, reserved

American Water Spaniels are all-around hunters equally adept at retrieving game, no matter if it’s in water or on land. They’re enthusiastic workers, and like most spaniels, they live to please their pet parents.

Like many other water dog breeds, American Water Spaniels sport a water-resistant coat. Their fur can be wavy or curled into tight ringlets, but it’s always a shade of brown.

• Size: Medium
• Life Expectancy: 10–15 years
• Temperament: Enthusiastic, friendly, lovable

Another medium-sized brown water dog, the Boykin Spaniel shares a lot of traits, including their love for swimming, with American Water Spaniels.

Boykins have webbing between their toes to help them navigate the swamps of the U.S. South, where the breed originated. They make a lively companion for hunters and are the official state dog of South Carolina.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are always down for a dip, no matter how cold the water is. That’s because their dense, curly fur keeps them warm even in the iciest of waters, like the Chesapeake Bay.

These water dogs got their name from working as duck retrievers in the Chesapeake Bay. The modern Chessie is still a standout retriever, as well as a tracking and obedience competition dog.

• Size: Large
• Life Expectancy: 10–12 years
• Temperament: Warm, up for anything, athletic

Another curly-haired pup, Curly-Coated Retrievers flaunt a tightly curled, solid black or brown coat that gave them their nickname: Curlies.

Like other dogs who love water, Curlies got their start as waterfowl retrievers in England. They still work as hunting dogs today, but their friendly and gentle demeanor also makes Curlies great family dogs who’ll love nothing more than to retrieve a toy tossed into the water.

• Size: Large
• Life Expectancy: 8–10 years
• Temperament: Happy-go-lucky, mischievous, outgoing

If you’re looking for a dog to win your next dock-diving competition, a Flat-Coated Retriever might just be your breed.

These athletic water dogs share a similar temperament to their Labrador and Golden Retriever relatives: outgoing, energetic, and friendly, with a tail that always seems to be wagging.

• Size: Large
• Life Expectancy: 10–12 years
• Temperament: Smart, silly, social

One of the most popular dog breeds, the Golden Retriever is both an outstanding hunting dog and family companion.

While Goldens enjoy taking a dip in the pool (or lake, or beach, or wherever there’s water), what they love most is to be by your side, no matter what you’re doing. They’ll happily join you for your morning jog—and then follow you around when you get home.

• Size: Large
• Life Expectancy: 12–13 years
• Temperament: Quick-learner, hardworking, natural athlete

Like their American counterparts, the Irish Water Spaniel loves the water—it’s right there in the name! Due to their curly, water-resistant coat, some might mistake an Irish Water Spaniel for a Poodle—in fact, the two breeds may even be related.

Irish Water Spaniels have lots of energy and are nicknamed the “clown of the spaniels” because of their cheery personality, and they often warm up quickly to new people.

• Size: Large
• Life Expectancy: 11–13 years
• Temperament: Athletic, outgoing, smart

Labrador Retrievers are eager to please, friendly, and smart dogs—a combination that makes them ever-popular pets.

Labs were bred in Canada, where they caught cod alongside fishermen. Their powerful tail helps propel them through the water, and their short but dense fur kept them warm in the cold waters.

Today’s Labrador Retrievers still love water and need lots of exercise—at least an hour every day—to be happy.

• Size: Extra-large
• Life Expectancy: 9–10 years
• Temperament: Charming, friendly, patient

When you see a Newfoundland from afar, you might think you’ve spotted a bear. But no—that’s 100-plus pounds of shaggy dog.

Like Labs, Newfies got their start on Canadian boats, where they hauled fishing nets to shore and even performed harrowing water rescues. Despite being powerful pups, Newfoundlands are known as gentle giants and are especially good with children.

They’re more laid-back than a lot of other water dogs, so it’s important to encourage your Newfie to stay at a healthy weight through exercise (like swimming!).

• Size: Medium
• Life Expectancy: 12–14 years
• Temperament: Energetic, intelligent, devoted

If you think the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever looks a bit like a fox, that’s the point. This Canadian water dog was bred to imitate a fox by coaxing waterfowl to the shore (or “tolling” them) so their human hunting partner can take aim.

• Size: Large
• Life Expectancy: 10–13 years
• Temperament: Energetic, friendly, affectionate

An Otterhound may weigh up to 115 pounds, and their webbed feet and oily, water-repellant fur—in black, black and tan, liver and tan, grey, wheaten, or blue and cream—make them extraordinary swimmers.

This is a boisterous, amiable dog who needs lots of exercise (especially in the water) and is eager to show devotion to a worthy pet parent.

• Size: Medium
• Life Expectancy: 11–13 years
• Temperament: Dynamo, super smart, people pleaser

Since at least 1297, Portuguese Water Dogs have been the right-hand (er, right-paw?) pup for Portuguese fishermen. These water-loving dogs herded fish into nets for their humans, but they almost went extinct when they were replaced with new technology in the early 20th century.

Portuguese Water Dogs have since traded in their fishing life for one with family, but their hardworking instincts remain. They love water, need daily exercise, and require mental stimulation through training, games, and puzzle toys.

• Size: Medium
• Life Expectancy: 12–14 years
• Temperament: Fun-loving, sporty, brainy

The Spanish Water Dog is a curly-haired cutie and a potential distant cousin of the Portuguese Water Dog. They’re a fairly rare dog breed in the U.S., but those who are lucky to know one understand that these pups are the perfect combo of energetic and affectionate.

• Size: Medium
• Life Expectancy: 10–18 years
• Temperament: Sporty, smarty pants, jack of all trades

Fun fact: The iconic Standard Poodle haircut isn’t just for eye-catching looks; it was originally created to increase this hunting dog’s speed in water while keeping them warm as they swam after waterfowl.

You might not find Standard Poodles retrieving ducks much today, but these smart and athletic dogs won’t hesitate to make a splash if given the opportunity.

• Size: Medium
• Life Expectancy: 12–15 years
• Temperament: Eager, alert, ready to go

Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are skilled hunting dogs both in and out of water. The steel coat—in colors including gray and brown, chestnut brown, white and brown, roan, and white and orange—is perfect for hunting in the marshy wetlands of the Netherlands, where the breed originated.

Naturally, Griffs are also strong swimmers and excellent water retrievers.