Terrifying

Bulldogs don't swim.


Bulldogs are too dense and they will sink like a rock.

Before I adopted Olivia, I read all the books and read that fact, several breeders reminded me of that fact, and one time last summer, Olivia went a little too far into the water and while her head didn't go under, I definitely had to grab her and haul her closer to shore.

Olivia loves the water and goes to the swimming beach all the time. However, she seems to have a good sense of the fact that she can't swim and she is very cautious. I rarely worry about her when it comes to the water.

Griffin is new to camp and so I have been keeping a close eye on him. He stays close to me all the time, so I'm no longer concerned he will run away or get lost. We've been to the beach a few times and he seemed to like the water but was also being fairly cautious.

Until today...


I took the lifeguard students to the beach to practice some skills. Griffin came with us. Counselor N jumped off the end of the dock and, to my absolute SHOCK, Griffin jumped right in after him. The water at the end of the dock is about 4 feet- not super deep but certainly higher than a little bulldog.


Bulldogs sink.


Bulldogs (or at least this bulldog) don't attempt to dog paddle and don't float at all. They just sink to the bottom of the lake, eyes wide in terror as they hit the bottom. I screamed in horror for N to grab him, which he did quickly- his first save and he's not even an official lifeguard yet.

I don't think Griffin took in any water because he didn't cough or struggle when N put him on the dock. He looked scared and I was TRAUMATIZED as I imagined him sinking. I hope this means he will be more cautious in the future.