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Good, better, best: Dog swimming pools made for large-breed dogs

Gabrielle LaFrank
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Not all pools are created equal, so how can you pick the best swimming pools for dogs? Above all, look for a high-quality, durable material that’s safe for pets and can withstand the elements. This will be an outdoor summer staple for both you and your pup, after all, so it’s important to find something that actually lasts the entire summer.

The best dog swimming pools are textured at the bottom to prevent any slippage or roughness from the ground. Many products have the basic characteristics you’ll need for your large-breed dog, but we’ve picked out some of our favorites based on durability, popularity, and customer reviews. What pool will you pick for your pup?

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Good: Petmaker Pet Pool and Bathing Tub

  • No assembly required
  • Easy to store and transport
  • Features a widemouthed drain with a twist-off cap

For a tub to get the job done, whether it’s playtime or bath time, this pool from Petmaker has what it takes. It’s made of high-quality plastic that’s safe for outdoor use no matter the weather — sun damage won’t be found here!

With an easy-to-open, widemouthed cap on this pool, filling and draining it will be a breeze. There’s zero assembly required, and all you need to do when you’re done for the day is fold it up and wipe it down. It even comes with its own carrying case for easy storage and even easier travel. Yep, it really is that effortless. Now, your pup can swim the day away no matter where you are!

Better: Topeakmart Portable Pet Swimming Pool PVC Water Pond

  • Has a nonslip textured floor
  • Made with PVC and MDF boards
  • Features a water line for easy filling

This bright red pool will be the cherry on top of an awesome summer for both you and your big dog. With PVC and MDF structuring around the frame of the pool, you can rest assured that the tub will stay standing as long as you need it to. Plus, multiple layers of reinforced material help protect it from scratches and bite marks. The nonslip textured floor will keep your pup on a solid footing, too.

Like many similar pools, this one folds and unfolds for an easy setup. You won’t need to worry about an air pump … or overfilling the pool. There’s an easy-to-spot max fill line to help you avoid spills — as long as your pup can keep from splashing, that is!

Best: Alvantor Pet Swimming Pool Dog Bathing Tub

  • Features PVC backing and a strong steel frame
  • Lightweight design
  • No assembly required

With this lightweight pop-up pool, taking a summer dip has never been easier. Since it’s just 7.5 pounds, you won’t have an issue carrying this pool where it needs to be, then just unfold it and fill!

PVC backing and dense ripstop material make this pool safe and durable for use all summer long. As lightweight as it is, it won’t fold the wrong way or break thanks to a thin steel frame, so even the most rambunctious large-breed pups won’t succeed in destroying it.

Even drainage is easy: Simply push down on any of the pool sides to start letting the water out. When you’re ready to fill it again, there’s literally zero setup required. With two large sizes to choose from, you can find the perfect pool for your pet to cool off in. Who knows — maybe you’ll want to jump in, too!

With these three high-quality dog pool options, you’re bound to have a fun summer ahead of you — especially since there’s no assembly required with any of them. Just fill with water and go! Even the largest fur babies will be able to enjoy a romp in the water thanks to these jumbo tubs and pools, so what are you waiting for?

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Does your pup need a dog rain jacket? It might depend on their breed
What to consider before purchasing a dog rain jacket
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Dog rain jackets are more than just adorable — they’re practical, too. Even your most basic raincoat for dogs is more than meets the eye. Besides keeping your pup dry, they can help with warmth, visibility, and even skin and coat health.
Not all dogs need a rain jacket, though, especially if their coat naturally traps warmth and repels water. If your pup tends to not go outside when it rains, or if she finds clothes uncomfortable, it may not be a worthwhile investment.
Those who do benefit from a dog rain jacket will be thrilled with the investment, though, so do give it some thought before deciding one way or another. Here are a few factors to consider before purchasing — or forgoing — a raincoat for dogs.

Your dog’s breed
Since some dog breeds evolved with oily, water-repelling coats, they won’t need a rain jacket. They may still find one to be comfortable — or not — but they will not get any health benefits from a raincoat. These breeds include:

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If you’ve ever taken your dog to the groomer, you know how much fun it is to leave the salon with your buddy looking spiffy and likely sporting a colorful bandana. The kerchief may be celebrating a special holiday or the season of the year, or it might simply have been chosen to match your dog’s eyes or coat color. While colorful dog bandanas certainly make fun fashion statements, this neck attire can also serve a purpose. Read on to learn about eight types of bandanas that are both cute and practical.
1. Bandanas to help fight breed discrimination
When Christine Smith noticed that people were afraid of her lovable pit bull Malibu, she started dressing her pup in colorful, fun bandanas. The results were incredible, said Smith in a Daily Dodo article. Strangers used to cross the street when they saw Malibu coming, but her snazzy new bandanas have made this sweet girl more approachable. The lovable pit bull now has an entire wardrobe of bandanas and is an ambassador for her breed. If your dog suffers from breed discrimination, consider purchasing cute colorful bandanas at The Greater Good Animal Rescue Site, where proceeds benefit homeless animals.

2. Calming bandanas
In a Vet Street article veterinarian Marty Becker says that bandanas can be used to help stressed animals relax. Becker instructs owners to spray bandanas with pheromones to help pets feel comfortable in stressful situations, including visits to veterinarians or boarding kennels. Wonder Dog Training designed a Good Doggy Calming Bandana collar that comes with lavender and chamomile essential oil aromatherapy spray.
3. Cooling bandanas
Letting dogs get too hot puts them at risk for heatstroke during the summer months. Cooling jackets and cooling collars and bandanas can help keep dogs comfortable in warm weather, says veterinarian Beth Turner in a Preventive Vet article. For example, the Dog Cooling Bandana by KOOLTAIL is made of a special fabric that can absorb moisture and draw heat away from a dog’s neck, helping to lower his temperature. This cooling fabric is activated by soaking it in water before putting it on your dog’s neck. For a stronger cooling effect, the bandana can be refrigerated for a few minutes after being soaked in water.
4. Pest repellent bandanas
Experts at PetMeds recommend spraying a flea and tick preventative on your dog's bandana before heading out into nature. Because thick neck fur is a favorite hiding spot for parasites like ticks, a kerchief sprayed with repellent can offer extra protection for pets. The Insect Shield Repellent Dog Bandana is designed to help protect dogs against fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. According to the company, the repellent is bonded to the fabric and can’t be rubbed off.
5. Alert bandanas
Many pet parents use color-coded leashes and harnesses with alert messages to let others know if their dogs have behavioral or health issues. For example, red signifies that you should exercise caution when approaching a dog. Color-coded bandanas with messages in bold print can also help to alert others when you're out walking with your dog. Examples of colors and messages include:

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Don’t have a Roomba? Think twice before adopting an Australian Shepherd
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When you think about high-shedding dog breeds, which ones come to mind? Many recall large Northern breeds like Alaskan Malamutes or even smaller fur balls like the Pekingese. Australian Shepherd shedding, though, isn’t nearly as widely understood. Perhaps this feature gets shadowed by their coat’s gorgeous patterns and coloring, or maybe it’s because this breed tends to spend so much time outdoors, leaving fur there instead. Whatever it is, it’s raised many questions about the best way to groom the smart and playful Australian Shepherd.
Before taking to your favorite search engine to find the first answer you see, check out what Australian Shepherd experts had to say. We checked in with animal hospitals and breed organizations to get the dirt on Aussie shedding, and this is what you’ll want to know:

How bad does an Australian Shepherd shed?
Australian Shepherds are revered for their gorgeous, multicolored coats, but have you ever thought about the downside to all that fur? It’s true — this breed is known for moderate to heavy shedding, and it can be tricky to keep up with during coat-blowing season (via Australian Shepherd Club of America).
The Australian Shepherd’s coat consists of two layers of water-resistant, self-cleaning fur — but don’t be fooled. Even though the natural oils of Aussies' skin keep their fur slick and clean, you will need to give them regular baths and grooming sessions. State Road Animal Hospital has good news for pet parents of this breed, though: Aussies only need baths every few months, so your job may not be as tricky as it seems.

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