Surfing Pug, having fun?

[ycbm]

This pug looks like he's having a great time but I don't know enough about reading dogs to tell if he really is.

Is this a much of a giggle as it looks?

 

[CorvusCorax]

The dog is panting pretty heavily, which could indicate stress. Or indicate that it's a pug.
Some could say the dog would jump off it was uncomfortable, others would say it is learned helplessness and the dog feels safer on the board than in the water.

My old GSD used to drag us to the roundabout in the park and demand to be pushed round and round.

 

[fetlock]

after seeing a clip of a dog surfing on Twitter a few weeks ago (three times World Surfing Champ no less) I went on YouTube to look at more clips.

It did leave me a bit uncomfortable

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Or indicate that it's a pug.

Sorry, but

That got me.

I am not a Pug person at all. But yes, panting, odd breathing, eyes not looking in the same direction...could be something, or could just be Pug!


It's a Pug, so I'm not sure if it has the mental capacity to recognize how it might feel about this.

Ok, kidding aside, but I could see the odd dog being interested in this. Most of them, no.

 

[Clodagh]

I think it’s silly and unnecessary and amusing the owner more than the dog. But he did trot on it unpushed so maybe it makes his day.
I quite like pugs and always thought when I can’t walk and sit on my bum all day wheezing I might get one. We could pant together. And I have astigmatism, although I don’t think you can tell

 

[Ratface]

I think that is unacceptable behaviour on the part of the owner/s.
In my opinion, the dog has no ways of indicating fear that his idiot owners would recognise.
Vile, ignorant, self-serving human owners.

 

[TPO]

I just wonder what enters peoples minds to even try this to "see if he likes it"?

Having failed numerous times wakeboarding and being a fairly strong swimmer, plus I was there of my own volition, I do not find it fun when I inevitably fall off and get caught in the wake. I can't imagine being a wee pug caught in it

I'm very much a "what if?" and worse case scenario person admittedly, but I really don't see the point in doing whatever it took initially to get the dog "good" at this

 

[Cortez]

I used to know a skateboarding Old English Bulldog that absolutely adored going on his skateboard and would drag it out of the cupboard and bring it to the door asking to go out on it at every opportunity, so I'll reserve judgment on the vileness or ignorance of this pug's associates. I've seen cats on surfboards too, apparently content and not hating the beach experience - just try making a cat do something it doesn't care for.

P.S. Charleston (the bulldog) had taught himself to skateboard BTW.

 

[Tiddlypom]

It's the speed that the dog is being towed at that is most alarming. If the dog fell off it would be bounced about and rolled around by the wake - not nice for a human let alone a dog.

Not something that I find the slightest bit cute or amusing.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I used to know a skateboarding Old English Bulldog that absolutely adored going on his skateboard and would drag it out of the cupboard and bring it to the door asking to go out on it at every opportunity, so I'll reserve judgment on the vileness or ignorance of this pug's associates. I've seen cats on surfboards too, apparently content and not hating the beach experience - just try making a cat do something it doesn't care for.

P.S. Charleston (the bulldog) had taught himself to skateboard BTW.

I always wondered how our dog got to enjoy the roundabout, what was the catalyst. I guess my Mum did it for a joke once and she ended up loving it. She loved any sort of journey/movement, loved going in the car, in fact would try to jump into random cars on the street if someone had left the doors open.

 

[Birker2020]

Many years ago we decided to swim our collie/GS mongrel bitch in the equine pool after my horse had had his physio therapy treatment as she was getting a bit chubby and stiff and we were advised it would be good for her, or it certainly wouldn't do any harm anyway. So she swam weekly for about 2 months.

Everytime she came round the circle towards where we stood she tried to paddle towards us, like the cartoon characters on tv where their legs are running but they don't move towards, just run on the spot. Of course she couldn't come towards us much as she was connected on the inside and outside of the circle by two people on a line attached to her collar so had to continue.

We never asked why it was that she was scrabbling towards us as she used to go in without a fuss (after an inflatable toy) and seemed to swim in a very controlled manner, never seemed to struggle or panic and felt she was just being a bit dramatic, or lazy, after all most dogs swim and don't make a fuss and most love it.

Its only looking back on it since that we realise she must gave found the whole thing quite disturbing and scary.

I guess we can all misjudge a situation. I do feel the dog in the video wouldn't jump on the board if it didn't want to do it anymore than a horse would jump if it really didn't want to.

 

[CorvusCorax]

My middle dog will run from the car to the pool without waiting for me and just swim around and around on his own (it's for racehorses, no supervision). I sometimes wonder should I just sit in the car and wait for him to come out.

 

[Katieg123]

Even if the dog enjoys it himself and willingly put himself in that situation its not safe and the owners shouldn't be towing (especially at that speed).

Side note - how good are pugs at swimming? I'd be worried with their limited airways they would drown quite quickly.

Another (controversial) side note - people that own Pugs, French bulldogs etc are already buying into unethical practices because of their serious conformational health flaws

 

[Birker2020]

The dog in the video does a lot of riding on bikes, quad bike, skate board so I'd say he enjoys it and does fall off the board in the water and lives!

 

[Birker2020]

Another (controversial) side note - people that own Pugs, French bulldogs etc are already buying into unethical practices because of their serious conformational health flaws

Yep.

'This is a calamity': the surgeons keeping pugs and bulldogs alive

They’re photogenic and popular on Instagram – but flat-faced dogs often endure serious breathing problems. Now, more and more are having surgery

www.theguardian.com

 

[Jenko109]

Not for me.

My lurcher fell off the canoe once and she was most put out.

I imagine a fall for this little one at the speed they are going, would be terribly traumatizing. Especially given his design.

 

[Birker2020]

Not for me.

My lurcher fell off the canoe once and she was most put out.

I imagine a fall for this little one at the speed they are going, would be terribly traumatizing. Especially given his design.

I suppose the life jacket brings him to the surface pretty quickly. Not saying I particuarly agree or disagree, I think I'd have to see it for myself.

 

[Cortez]

Side note - how good are pugs at swimming? I'd be worried with their limited airways they would drown quite quickly.

Another (controversial) side note - people that own Pugs, French bulldogs etc are already buying into unethical practices because of their serious conformational health flaws

I absolutely adore pugs after getting to know many that belonged to a friend who bred them. But I will never, ever own one (or any short-nosed dog (or cat)) because of the pure cruelty of the way they have been bred. My friends pugs used to swim, and they enjoyed it.

 

[Clodagh]

My middle dog will run from the car to the pool without waiting for me and just swim around and around on his own (it's for racehorses, no supervision). I sometimes wonder should I just sit in the car and wait for him to come out.

Tawny would drown before she’d get out, she adores swimming.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Tawny would drown before she’d get out, she adores swimming.

Yep, I think his mother is a seal. I can't get him out if I take his leash off at the beach.

 

[ArklePig]

I came to say I really don't know if anyone can read a pug on account of them not really looking like dogs but see I've been beaten to it by more eloquent posters.

 

[Morwenna]

I think social media is one of the worst things that has ever happened to pet ownership.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Can’t get my lot out of water, hence this pic of Goose, but I wouldn’t stick them on surfboards etc.

 

[ArklePig]

I do love your boys CT.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Years ago I was at a yard where the muck heap was up a big hill and a fair old walk, my friends jrt would walk with us to empty barrow then jump in it once empty to get a ride back.

She absolutely loved sitting in a barrow and she would be smiling the whole time, we used to crack up laughing

 

[Birker2020]

I think social media is one of the worst things that has ever happened to pet ownership.

I agree. I detest those posts from far eastern countries where they think nothing of shoving a kitten in a dug out hole with a snake and proclaiming "poor kitty, fell hole, I save it". Yeah right.

And the monkey videos of the poor little creatures dressed up and carrying baby monkeys and the careless way they drag them across the floor because they don't know any different. Heartbreaking.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I absolutely love pugs, they have just the best little personalities; I'm so sad that I can't allow myself to support the breeding of them.
My aunt has had a couple after being heavily involved in flat coat showing for many years, but wanting smaller dogs in her 'retirement'. She spent month and months looking for one from a more ethical side of the breeding, and you can definitely see and hear a difference..

 

[millikins]

I've seen pictures of dogs willingly climbing on lilos, rafts and inflatables so don't think the pug is doing anything unnatural but I don't like the speed he's being towed at.

 

[splashgirl45]

I found it unpleasant to watch, it’s the speed that worries me, and why??? Just to amuse the owners I assume, not a good thing

 

[Morwenna]

I've seen pictures of dogs willingly climbing on lilos, rafts and inflatables so don't think the pug is doing anything unnatural but I don't like the speed he's being towed at.

It’s the speed I don’t like as well. A friend of mine does stand up paddle boarding with her dog and he loves it but it much slower speed than this.