How Well Can a Basset Hound Swim? Vet-Reviewed Facts & Training Methods

Basset Hounds are cute and cuddly. With their puppy dog eyes and long, droopy ears, they're hard to resist. They were bred to be hunting dogs, and some pet parents may think that gives them an advantage when swimming.

However, while Basset Hounds can technically swim, they are generally poor swimmers. Why can’t the Basset Hound swim very well? We’ll answer that question and discuss how to teach a Basset Hound to swim and more below.

How Well Can a Basset Hound Swim?

Basset Hounds are not natural swimmers, which makes sense because they were never meant to be. The Basset Hound was first developed in medieval France and used as a hunting dog. The dog was bred for their scenting skills and used to hunt small game like rabbits and foxes.

They have a lot of stamina but are slow enough for the hunters to keep up with them. Although they can swim, the Basset Hound’s unusual body structure makes it difficult.

Why Is The Basset Hound a Poor Swimmer?

The Basset Hound’s body is a massive detriment to their swimming ability. Everything about the Basset Hound seems to be designed to make swimming as challenging as possible. Their front-heavy build can cause them to wobble in the water, and their short legs limit the power they can generate while kicking and paddling. Bassets have a relatively heavy skeletal structure for their size, which reduces buoyancy. Combined with their tendency to tire quickly, swimming can be difficult and even dangerous for them.

Despite these challenges, Basset Hounds can learn to swim with patience, proper instruction, and careful supervision. Always ensure safety and start with shallow, calm water to build their confidence.

How to Teach a Basset Hound to Swim

Many Basset Hounds are uncertain around water due to everything mentioned above. Never push or force your Basset to swim; a negative experience in the water could keep them out of it permanently.

Before teaching your Basset Hound to swim, ensure the dog is calm. Training a hyper dog to swim is difficult, and it’s better when your pet has been fed and walked before swimming. You need to buy a life jacket for them; this is essential to teaching them to swim. A life jacket ensures they stay above water, reduces their fatigue, and prevents them from sinking. You’ll also need treats for your Basset Hound to reward them during training. You can use two methods to teach your Basset Hound to swim.

However, only proceed with these steps if your dog is genuinely interested in swimming, healthy, and fit. For others, it’s best to respect their preferences and find other activities that are safe and make them happy.

1. Method One

The first step is to get a kiddie pool and place it in your backyard. Then, you should get your Basset to enter the pool by choice; they’ll probably be pretty hesitant to get in the water, so the easiest way is to place a treat or their favorite toy in the center of the pool. You can use a Frisbee or another floatable container to hold the treat or toy in the water.

Repeat step two until they get into the pool without hesitation. Once they’re comfortable in the kiddie pool, move to a larger pool. Make sure you put on their life jackets before putting them in the large pool. Show them where to enter and exit the pool, and ideally keep it quite shallow.

Once in the larger pool, you can support them underneath their belly while they are paddling, and their instincts will gradually take over. Ensure you never put them in the water without a life jacket; if they struggle, they’ll probably develop a fear of the water, and all your progress will be erased. If you teach the Basset Hound to swim in a pool with chlorinated water, bathe them thoroughly after the swimming lesson.

2. Method Two

The second method starts with taking your Basset to a large body of water, like a lake. Put on their life jacket and take them to a calm, shallow spot. Ensure you get in the water first, then bring them with you; having you there with them will make your Basset feel safer. Move around a bit and encourage your dog to follow. Once they become comfortable, you can move them out somewhere slightly deeper, but still fine for you to stand, so you can support them as they’re learning how to paddle.

If you take your Basset to the beach to learn to swim, make sure you are never more than a few inches away from them. Even small waves can be enough to drag them out into the deep, not to mention rip currents, and that can be very traumatic and dangerous for both of you.

Conclusion

Basset Hounds generally aren’t good swimmers and sink like rocks when put in the water. However, if you’re determined that your Basset Hound should get out on the water and swim, especially if they’ve shown an interest in the activity, there are a couple of methods that we listed above that you can try.

Remember, no matter which body of water you’re around, in most cases, your Basset Hound is not a strong or confident swimmer. You must take every precaution to ensure your pet’s safety by fitting them with a life vest and watching them closely whenever they’re in or around the water.