It’s not uncommon to see a dog owner treat their canine as a beloved family member. Especially if it’s a German Shepherd, as it’s one of the smartest and most loyal dogs. If you have one, you’ve probably wondered if they’re allowed in public swimming pools.
The answer depends on what you mean by allowed. If it’s just the vicinity, a lot of public pools allow it with no problem. However, if it’s swimming inside the pool, it’s unlikely that you’ll find a pool that allows it, with some exceptions here and there.
Why Are German Shepherds Not Allowed in Public Swimming Pools?
The main reason German shepherds, or most dogs for that matter, aren’t typically allowed in public swimming pools. This is because they carry more than double the amount of pollutants on their bodies as humans.
Before a dog goes into the pool, the chlorine content has to be increased, and the more dogs, the higher the chlorine that should be added.
Chlorine has some negative repercussions on the skin, especially for extended periods of time. That’s why public swimming pools try to avoid this conundrum by restricting the swimming of canines.
Closed Water Increases Infection
It’s highly advisable that if you want to swim with your dog, you should do so in open water like seas or open lakes.
The water of open waters is constantly being renewed by the movement of waves, however small. On the contrary, closed systems like those of pools keep going through filtration units and flowing back into the same body, which highly increases the chances of infections.
Each state can have its own pool safety laws and guidelines, though there are some recommendations by MAHC and VGB Act for state laws. Still, each state doesn’t have to abide by the CDC pool regulations or national swimming pool code.
Still, the general consensus is to refresh public swimming pool water every eight hours, while gated community pools have to refresh their water every 24 hours.
You can read more about your own state’s rules and regulations in the Operation, Supervision, and Maintenance section of each state’s swimming pool codes.
Why Do Dog Pools Have More Chlorine?
No matter how well a dog is trained, there’s no way around bringing some fecal matter into a pool if they jump in. Not only that but if they play outside a lot, there are also other things to worry about like dirt and oils.
These pollutants facilitate the transmission of Cryptosporidium, Hepatitis A, E. Coli, and other illnesses that could be contagious through recreational swimming (RWI).
This is especially true because everyone swallows an amount of water, no matter how good they are at swimming. If someone ingests water with these contaminants, they’re bound to catch a disease and fall sick.
Not only humans, but dogs can also catch diseases from contaminated water. So, catching diseases isn’t just limited to you but your dog as well. That’s why you should make sure to rinse your dog before and after swimming, should they hop into a pool with you.
Is Chlorine Safe for a German Shepherd?
The above knowledge leads to yet another important question, which is whether chlorine is safe for your dear pet or not.
When chlorine is added to the water, it reacts chemically and breaks into hypochlorous acid and a hypochlorite ion. These two chemicals are what kill the microorganisms in the water by oxidizing them.
As mentioned, dogs bring a lot of bacteria into the pool if they jump in, and that requires the addition of more chlorine. However, your pet can get chlorine poisoning if they ingest too much water with high chlorine content.
This is especially true if you use chlorine tablets, which may be quite dangerous if they’re taken out of their containers. In close contact, they can damage your pet’s eyes and skin, and if swallowed, they would definitely poison your dog.
Still, these scenarios are not very common, as their smell is typically unappealing to a dog.
Are There Risks of Chlorine Exposure on German Shepherds?
The amounts of chlorine in water are generally safe for dogs as they are for humans. However, extended exposure can lead to some GI tract irritations as canines are likely to swallow more water.
Moreover, it might cause some redness in the eye or itchy skin if the dog spends too long in the water. To add to that, improper ventilation might cause some airway irritations as an amount of chlorine gas is inhaled.
Finally, it’s recommended not to make your German shepherd swim frequently, as regular water residuals can cause ear infections. This is especially true for German shepherds as they aren’t naturally aquatic dogs and only know how to swim if properly trained.
Conclusion
To sum up, it’s not always that you’ll find German shepherds allowed in public swimming pools, especially when it comes to swimming in them.
Still, you can look for options with fewer restrictions, or better yet, set up an inflatable pool in your backyard where your dog can swim while you keep the water fresh and regulated.
FAQs
Are there alternatives to using chlorine in pools?
Some pools and spas use Bromine as an alternative to keep the water clean, especially since its side effects aren’t as severe and it doesn’t have a pungent smell. However, it’s a lot more expensive, that’s why it isn’t typically used by public pools.
Not to mention, sun exposure makes it less stable, making it subpar for outdoor pools. This is quite a bummer, as outdoor pools are the better choice for your German shepherd to swim in, to begin with.
How to keep a German Shepherd cool in the summer?
Since German shepherds aren’t by nature drawn to water, you could look for alternatives to swimming to keep your pet cool.
Although it’s common to shave their fur off, you should keep it as it is because it protects your German shepherd’s skin from the effect of the sun.
Also, make sure to have a well-shaded area that your dog can relax in if they get too hot and to keep a bowl of fresh water they can drink to keep cool.
Finally, try some indoor activities and indoor time across the day to spare your German shepherd some sun exposure.