Puppies and swimming?

[Skhosu]

Just wondering what age puppies show an interest in swimming? Our heinz 57( lab, collie, GSD, BMD etc. in him!) didn't swim til he was a good 8-12mnths. The lab has always swum and the retriever has recently stopped swimming (old age!).
We see our grandparents pup a couple of times a week and look after her a lot. She is around 5mnths now and wil just about put her toes in.
Now, I believe swimming is a great exercise for them. Any suggestions how to convince her to swim? Or will it just happen?

 

[bellasmum]

My Parsons terrier started swimming at about 3 months old – he will swim anywhere and loves the sea and will spend as long as he possibly can doing it!! He's becoming quite a celebrity when we go out walking! Some love or hate it, don't think you can really force it out of them!!

 

[emmablatch]

Brego loved the water but couldn't swim and I was worried about him drowning so.... I took him to our local doggy swimming pool where they threw him in and he learnt to swim under watchful eyes.

Wish I had done it sooner it is such good exercise for him, we started when he was 9 months old, but can't see any reason why you shouldn't start when they are younger just be careful at first when they are learning to swim.

Emma

 

[EmilyDragg01]

I've found a lot of dogs just love the sea!
Obviously they should learn in little pools first, but watching them jump freely with the waves is such a nice thing!