Top dog breeds that (usually) love water

Some prospective pup parents may be looking for a dog who loves to be on the water. Jumping in the pool or lake or lounging on a boat comes naturally to some dog breeds. These breeds were bred to work and spend a lot of time in water for various reasons, including retrieving, hunting, or search and rescue. Water dogs can also have as much fun on land, but water is where they thrive.

For dog owners who love to boat, fish, or swim, consider one of these breeds to join you on your adventures.

1. Labrador retriever

Labradors are one of the most popular and versatile dog breeds. They’re super friendly and even-tempered, but also highly intelligent and great at performing tasks for their humans. Labs were originally bred to retrieve waterfowl and are naturally excellent swimmers. Because of this, Labradors often love playing fetch in the water.

• Breed group — Sporting breed
• Intelligence — High
• Barking — When necessary
• Life span — 11-13 years

2. Newfoundland

The sweet and gentle Newfie is a born swimmer. Newfoundlands were bred to assist fishermen with hauling in their nets. Today, they often work as search and rescue dogs for the Coast Guard. Newfies have a very thick coat specially designed to act as a thermal layer to prevent them from getting too cold in the water. Dog parents with a Newfoundland will have a loving and loyal companion to join them on their water adventures.

• Breed group — Working breed
• Intelligence — High
• Barking — When necessary
• Life span — 9-10 years

3. Portuguese water dog

This high-energy dog breed is a perfect pup for active dog parents. As their name suggests, the Portuguese water dog is biologically designed for the water. They have webbed feet, rudder-like tails, and water-repellent coats. Naturally, these dogs are fantastic swimmers and can get tuckered out with lots of outdoor playtime at the lake or beach.

• Breed group — Working breed
• Intelligence — High
• Barking — When necessary
• Life span — 11-13 years

4. Standard poodle

Poodles are a highly intelligent breed who love being with their humans. They pick up on training quickly and do best in a home where they will get lots of attention and exercise. These beautiful dogs are also very athletic. In Europe, poodles were historically used as waterfowl retrievers. Many poodles still love to swim and play in the water.

• Breed group — Non-sporting breed
• Intelligence — High
• Barking — Above average
• Life span — 12-15 years

5. Golden retriever

One of the world’s most recognizable and beloved dogs, the golden retriever is a naturally excellent swimmer. Bred for waterfowl retrieving, golden retrievers have webbed feet and water-repellent coats. These pups are extremely friendly and loyal to their humans and make excellent family pets.

• Breed group — Sporting breed
• Intelligence — Average
• Barking — Only to alert
• Life span — 10-12 years

6. American water spaniel

The American water spaniel is the very first dog bred in the Midwest part of the United States as a hunting dog. These pups are experts at retrieving game from boats. American water spaniels are smaller in size than other water dogs, making them an ideal companion for dog owners looking for a smaller breed who loves water.

• Breed group — Sporting breed
• Intelligence — High
• Barking — When necessary
• Life span — 10-14 years

7. Irish water spaniel

The Irish Water Spaniel is the tallest of the spaniel breeds, and also one of the oldest. Affectionately known as the “clown of the spaniels,” these fun-loving pups have a naturally water-repellent coat. They love to swim, play games or just splash around in the water with their humans.

• Breed group — Sporting breed
• Intelligence — High
• Barking — Moderately vocal
• Life span — 10-12 years

8. Spanish water dog

Spanish water dogs are one of the few herding dogs that are also excellent swimmers. Their history is a little mysterious, but these shaggy pups are lovable, playful, and highly intelligent. The Spanish water dog is just as at home on land or water; they love long walks with their families or taking a dip at the pool or lake.

• Breed group — Herding breed
• Intelligence — High
• Barking — Moderately vocal
• Life span — 12-14 years

9. Otterhound

Otterhounds are big, fun-loving dogs originally bred during the Medieval period in England to hunt otters. While this practice is now illegal, at the time the otter population in Great Britain was an invasive species that Otterhounds helped to cull. Otterhounds have a rough double coat, webbed feet, and are very strong swimmers. Fewer than 800 Otterhounds exist in the world, making them rarer than the Giant Panda, though they are exceptionally sweet and gentle furry friends.

• Breed group — Hound breed
• Intelligence — High
• Barking — Very vocal
• Life span — 10-13 years

10. Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever

The name “duck toller,” which means to entice or “toll” waterfowl out of hiding spots for hunters, is a pretty good indicator that these pups are made for the water. The Nova Scotia toller is the smallest of the retriever breeds, but their little bodies pack a lot of energy. They have webbed feet and a double coat, which makes them practically born to be splashing around in lakes or rivers with their favorite humans.

• Breed group — Sporting breed
• Intelligence — High
• Barking — When necessary
• Life span — 12-14 years

11. Chesapeake Bay retriever

The official dog of the state of Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay retriever is a large breed sporting dog bred for duck hunting. These highly intelligent pups also have strong personalities and do best with an experienced dog owner who is dedicated to training. Just like the ducks the Chesapeake Bay retriever hunt, these pups have webbed feet and are right at home in the water.

• Breed group — Sporting breed
• Intelligence — High
• Barking — When necessary
• Life span — 10-13 years

12. Curly-coated retriever

While these dogs may look like a cross between a labrador and a poodle, the curly-coated retriever is its own unique breed. Also known as the “Curly,” these dogs are one of the oldest retrieving dog breeds. Their dense, thick coat makes the Curly perfect for retrieving in the chilliest water conditions. Curly-coated retrievers are very loyal and loving, but also independent dogs. They’re a great pick for an experienced dog owner dedicated to training these high-energy pups.

• Breed group — Sporting breed
• Intelligence — High
• Barking — Moderately vocal
• Life span — 10-12 years

13. English setter

The “gentleman of the dog world,” the English setter is a social and sweet hunting dog. They’re very intelligent and athletic, historically trained as bird dogs. English Setters are very happy when frolicking out in the water with their loved ones.

• Breed group — Sporting breed
• Intelligence — High
• Barking — When necessary
• Life span — 10-12 years

14. Irish setter

Irish setters are playful and outgoing dogs. Originally bred as hunting dogs, they love to be outside and are strong swimmers. Irish setters are high-energy breeds that do well in an active family that can give them plenty of exercise.

• Breed group — Sporting breed
• Intelligence — High
• Barking — Often
• Life span — 12-15 years

15. Boykin spaniel

Boykins are a lesser-known breed that can make a great addition to active families and adventurers. Boykin spaniels are whip-smart, very sweet-natured, and have tons of stamina. Boykins are a medium-sized dog breed bred to hunt waterfowl, so they’re natural swimmers who love being in the water.

• Breed group — Sporting breed
• Intelligence — High
• Barking — When necessary
• Life span — 14-16 years

Many water dogs have specific traits that were bred into them to help the breed adapt to swimming and spending a lot of time in the water. These pups are often born with webbing between their paw pads and have double coats to help withstand colder water temperatures.

Dog parents who love to take their pups for a dip will also want to be sure their coats and skin are taken care of in different kinds of water. The chlorine in a backyard pool can be harsh on a dog’s skin, so pool pups should have their hair rinsed out and conditioned regularly. Dogs who regularly swim in lakes or rivers should get a bath after each time out in the water to clean pollutants from their fur.