Dog parks with swimming

What is a dog park with swimming?

A dog park with swimming is a fenced or designated natural area where your dog may go off-lead and which also lies by water - a lake, a stream, a fjord or the beach. Your dog can run freely and bathe or swim in the same place. Some are proper woodland swimming spots by a lake in the forest, while others are dog beaches along the coast. Some areas are fenced, others are open stretches of beach where dogs may go off-lead under certain conditions.

Why swimming is good for dog and owner

Swimming is one of the gentlest forms of exercise a dog can get. The water supports the body, so muscles and fitness are trained without straining joints and paws. That makes swimming suitable for young, older and recovering dogs alike.

On hot summer days water also cools dogs down effectively, when they could otherwise quickly overheat. Swimming and fetching in the water are good mental and physical exercise too, burning off energy and strengthening the bond between you and your dog. And running free in a defined area is safer than running loose in open country.

Swimming rules - what you need to know

On ordinary Danish beaches there are generally two seasons: from 1 October to 31 March your dog may run free and swim under control. From 1 April to 30 September dogs must be on a lead, and off-lead swimming is usually not allowed.

Specially designated dog beaches and fenced dog parks may allow off-lead running and swimming all year round. Rules vary from place to place, so always check the signs on site and the local municipality's rules before you let your dog off the lead to swim.

Tips on water safety

Water is fun, but keeping a swim safe takes a little attention. Watch out for these things in particular:

• Avoid swimming in warm, still water because of the risk of blue-green algae, which is poisonous to dogs.
• Keep your dog away from water with dead fish or birds because of the risk of botulism. Both algae and botulism can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle weakness or paralysis.
• Ideally let your dog swim in clean, calm or flowing water, and watch out for currents, waves, steep banks or sudden deep water.
• Don't let your dog swim or swallow water for too long at a time - too much water increases the risk of water intoxication.
• Rinse your dog after swimming in salt water or water with algae, and don't let it drink seawater.
• Always bring fresh drinking water so your dog doesn't drink the bathing water.
• Check and dry the ears after swimming to reduce the risk of ear problems.

Exercise and cooling off in summer

Heading out on a hot day? A few simple habits make the trip more fun and safer:

• Walk your dog in the cool morning and evening hours, ideally in shady woodland, and keep walks short in the heat.
• Make sure there is plenty of fresh water and shade along the way.
• Take extra care with heat-sensitive dogs: puppies, older and overweight dogs, flat-faced breeds such as pugs, bulldogs and boxers, and dogs with thick or dark coats.
• Introduce swimming gradually - not all dogs are natural swimmers. Walk along the water's edge with them, consider a dog life jacket, and never force a nervous dog into the water.

Find the right swimming spot

There are swimming spots all over the country - from fenced woodland lakes to open dog beaches. Use the map and filters at the top of the page to find the place nearest you, and always check the current status and local rules before you set off.