Do All Dogs Swim?
While swimming doesn’t come naturally to all breeds like Bull dogs and Basset Hounds and some others, most dogs do “dog paddle” in water. Whether or not they can swim across a body of water is another thing, and before you tempt fate be sure to buy a doggy vest first just in case. Dogs can drown in water! Never toss a dog in water, no matter the breed. If a dog takes to water naturally they will jump right in the fun… maybe with a little coaxing.
Interestingly, experts say that all quadrupedal mammals have the ability to swim, even elephants! And like elephants Moose are actually really good swimmers because much of what they eat in found deep in water ponds.
Dogs swim with their heads above water (hence the name doggy paddle), and use all four legs to propel themselves. Their legs and tails work together in the water, and that’s why the famous otter tail of a Labrador makes them such natural swimmers. I’ve watched hours of dogs in the water and I am amazed at how well they can breathe while dog paddling. From what I have witnessed is they close their mouth slightly and breathe mostly through their nose, only opening their mouth when they need to exhale. They can swallow water so be careful to watch if a dog is in distress. Never leave your pet alone near a pool, or body of water.
All of the “retriever” breeds swim naturally because they were bred to do work on the water or near a body of water… like the Labrador. Spaniels also swim well as do Standard Poodles and English Settlers. And before you ask… yes most dogs can hold their breath underwater for short periods. It is called Mammalian Diving Response and is scientifically proven. So like humans dogs will go underwater to fetch an object if they are motivated enough!
I personally selected this video clip I produced years ago to give you an idea of how dogs swim when commanded to retrieve an object on the other side of a fresh water pond. Enjoy.
Video trailer from Retrievers in the Field produced by Larry Saavedra at Mainhouse Creative.
Automotive paint is one of the most difficult things to match correctly, especially when you are trying to match small areas of your vehicle’s body. I’ve gone round and round about color matching for so long I almost believed that there is no way to actually match a color.
I’m always on the search for new (to me) products for my Vanagon. I tend to go outside the normal suppliers and manufacturers to see if there are any not so recognizable independent shops that are launching products.
That’s when I happened upon Space Roofs. I didn’t know they’ve been around for 20 years.
If you’re going to sell your classic car there are some things to know before you list it. These are things I learned working directly with classic car dealerships and restoration shops.
Rust is not your friend. Stomp it out and never let it come back to destroy your classic Vanagon. This story follows rust removal from start to finish.
The man who could be President walked into my house without so much as a knock on the door. I don’t know what I was expecting, but Dan Gurney stood in my living room before I could get out of my chair to greet him.
What’s your workspace look like? Here’s what I see every day. It’s a 42- by 42-inch oil painting of a VW Split Window.
If your once beautiful driveway looks like a scene from the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill maybe it’s time to pinpoint the source of those leaks. Vanagons (like British cars) are notorious leakers. I’ll attempt to point out the 7 common areas that you should check if you’re experiencing similar issues. It’s not only oil, but coolant and transmission fluid too. Obviously, I might miss an area or two, so just comment below and I’ll address it.
Automotive journalism is a great career if you have the chops to do the work. There is a need for high-caliber writers, photographers, and editors that can cover the automotive industry, but you must be prepared to start at the ground level and work your way up the ladder.
Looking back to the first time I experienced a manual transmission was laughable. I stalled it more than drove it. Finally I got the hang of it.
Is the Vanagon the next big thing? Yes, especially if you track the growing community of owners. Like the stock market, the prices for a used Vanagon are constantly fluctuating. Be prepared if you are thinking of selling or buying one.
Is the hobby of collecting rare or exclusive auto-related things a curse or a blessing? I think the answer lies somewhere in between.
The auto trans on the T3 Vanagon is a beast. It can run flawlessly for 250,000 miles. Problems arise when it begins to leak ATF or gear oil. I’m in the middle of the research but here’s a quick overview for those interested.
Vanagons with power door locks are prone to failure due to bad wiring, blown fuses and water damage. It happened to me.
Larry Saavedra
Subject Matter Experts. Specializing in content for automotive and outdoor projects.