Can A Mini Aussie Swim?

Mini Aussies are similar smaller versions of Australian Shepherds. In many cases, they may not be much smaller at all. Their love for water will often be the same as a larger Aussie as well.

For the most part, these dogs may love water if they are introduced to it at a young age. You need to get them in and around water at a young age, or they may be a bit unsure when they are older. If your puppy is properly introduced to the water, many of them do end up liking to swim.

This breed wasn’t particularly bred to be around water, however. They are herding dogs, which means that they traditionally spent much of their life on land. They don’t have the innate love of water that some other breeds have.

Luckily, though, they do tend to be very active and adventurous, so many puppies introduced to the water will absolutely swim. Whether or not they love to swim will depend on their personality. You may never end up with a Mini Aussie that loves the water as much as a Poodle, but most will swim at least a little when convinced.

Will a Mini Aussie Swim?

If you guide a Mini Aussie into the water, they will likely swim. Just like all dogs, they are pretty good at figuring out how to swim, even if they aren’t necessarily as good at it as some other dog breeds. Whether or not you can convince a Mini Aussie that swimming is fun is a different matter, though.

In order to be comfortable around water, these dogs absolutely must be introduced to water at a young age. Otherwise, they will likely not think very fondly of it.

Puppies that are regularly taken in the water may grow up to like swimming. Sometimes, despite your best effort, they may simply never learn to love water. Many will learn how to swim if they absolutely have to but won’t come into the water unless their life depends on it.

These dogs usually take some convincing when it comes to swimming. Don’t expect them to immediately take to the water like some other breeds (such as Poodles – they are born water dogs!). That simply isn’t what they were designed to do.

Are Australian Shepherds Natural Swimmers?

There really isn’t such a thing as a “natural swimmer” when it comes to dogs. Some can swim more easily than others due to their body shape, but that doesn’t mean that they innately know how to swim or anything of their sort.

For instance, Pugs and Bulldogs are usually not very good at swimming because of their squished face and stocky body. They’re simply too heavy for their small limbs to keep their head above water very easily.

Mini and Toy Australian Shepherds do have a very practical body type. They were bred for herding, so their limbs are often long and plenty capable of keeping their body afloat. However, they still have to learn how to swim, even if they will do so without much of a problem.

When you get these dogs around water, they will usually learn how to swim by themselves. They don’t need swim lessons. They may be able to swim with some success on their first try, but they will always need more practice before they are very good at it. Just like people, as they practice, these dogs will get better.

They will probably never be as happy around water as some of the water breeds, though. Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, and similar dogs were bred to love water, while the Australian Shepherd wasn’t. For the most part, they were bred to keep their feet firmly on the ground. If you count “natural swimmer” only as dogs that naturally love the water, these dogs do not fall into that category.

However, if you’re counting any dog that can learn to swim with some ease, then the Australian Shepherd will likely be included.

How Do You Teach an Australian Shepherd to Swim?

Usually, you don’t physically need to teach Australian Shepherds to swim. The key is to introduce them to the water regularly. The continued exposure will encourage the dog to swim, and eventually, they will get pretty good at it. You don’t need to do much else than take your dog around water.

Preferably, this acclimation period needs to begin when they are puppies. You may need to take your puppy in the water a few times, though they may not be necessary if you encourage them with treats and toys.

Once dogs get older, it is still possible to introduce them to the water. However, older dogs are much more set in their ways and more likely to simply refuse to swim altogether.

Teaching your dog to swim is a bit like socializing with them. It works best if you start them off as a puppy, but you can teach them how to swim as an adult. It’s just going to take more work and convincing on your part to get them into the water at all.

Do Aussies Hate Water?

Mini Aussies do not necessarily hate water, but they aren’t partial to it either. In many cases, these dogs are completely neutral. Whether or not they end up liking water is largely a matter of their early experiences.

If you take your puppy around water often, then they may become used to it as they age. In this case, they will not dislike water, though they usually won’t love it as much as some other breeds. Canines like Poodles were bred to love the water, so they usually get more of a kick out of it than Mini Aussies. Still, it isn’t a default that all Aussies hate water.

At the same time, if you don’t take your dog around water at all, they probably won’t like it very much. Most dogs who aren’t taken around water at a young age usually won’t get used to it as an adult. It takes a lot of dedication to teaching adults how to like the water.

If you feel like your Aussie hates water, you’re probably right! A lack of experience with water at a young age can cause this. However, if you’re considering adopting a puppy, you can absolutely get them to be at least okay with water as long as they are introduced from an early age.

Final Thoughts

If forced to, these dogs can swim with no problem. The main issue is getting them in the water in the first place. If you begin when they are puppies, plenty of treats and water time can get them used to the sensation of swimming. They can actually get quite good at it if given the time to perfect their form. Their athletic bodies can adapt very well to the water, though that wasn’t necessarily what they were bred for.

If you don’t introduce them to water when they are puppies, they probably won’t like it as adults. This doesn’t mean they can’t swim, but they will likely need some convincing. Adults are harder to persuade than puppies, as they are usually less adventurous and drawn to toys.

For those who want their Aussie to like water, we recommend starting early and often. The more you get your puppy in the water, the more likely they are to be comfortable swimming.

Author: Kristin

Kristin was born in Tennessee and currently lives there with her husband and children. She is passionate about educating pet parents and helping them make the best possible decisions for their pets. She currently owns one dog, two cats, a lizard, and a variety of fish.