I need everyone to listen closely. This is not a drill. French Bulldogs are not swimmers.
Yes, you saw a video on TikTok of a Frenchie paddling in a pool. That dog is an outlier. That dog is playing with fire. Physically, your dog is built to sink.
The Physics of a Sinking Potato
Let's look at the anatomy:
- Massive Head: Their head is huge and heavy bone.
- Dense Muscle: Muscle is denser than fat. Frenchies are dense little tanks.
- Tiny Legs: Their back legs are short and have poor leverage.
- No Snout: This is the killer. A Golden Retriever can tilt its long nose up to breathe. A Frenchie has to tilt its entire head almost vertical to keep water out of its nose. This pushes their butt down.
When a Frenchie enters deep water, they typically sink head-first like a stone. It happens silently and instantly.
The Life Jacket Rule
If you are near a pool, a lake, or the ocean, your Frenchie must engage "Safe Mode." That means a life jacket.
Not just any jacket. You need one with a Chin Float. This is a flap that goes under their chin to physically keep their head above water if they get tired. Remember, panic sets in fast. If they inhale water, they can develop aspiration pneumonia, which is deadly.
Safe Water Play
This doesn't mean they can't enjoy the summer! Frenchies overheat easily, so water is great for cooling.
- Kiddie Pools: Fill a plastic pool with 3 inches of water. Let them splash and zoom. Safe and fun.
- Sprinklers: The ultimate enemy. They will attack the water stream. Just don't let them ingest too much water, or you'll be dealing with water intoxication (vomiting).
- The Hose: Sophie's favorite game is "Bite the Water."
Be the fun police. Put the vest on. Better to look like a dork in a neon orange vest than to risk drowning.
Stay weird,
- Sophie 🐾
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