Yes, they probably did the doggy paddle – and the ‘bark’-stroke too.
The scene at one outdoor swimming pool today was a sight to behold, because it was full of very excited dogs.
Owners joined their pooches for a dip at Saltdean Lido in the Oval Park at Saltdean, Brighton for its first-ever Dog Swim Day.
Boxer dog India enjoys a swim at Saltdean Lido in the Oval Park, Brighton today
The lido invited dogs – and their owners – for the first-ever Dog Swim Day before it closes its doors for the year
Among the dogs were boxers, labradors, pointers and German shepherd husky crosses
Some swam solo, while others played with their two-legged companions – adults only, not children – for safety reasons
Oh yeah? Saltdean decided to bend the rules for the soon-to-be soggy doggies
Ellie and Richard from Telscombe, East Sussex, enjoy a dip with their pointer Cooper
Saltdean opened its doors for the human-canine splashabout before it closes for the year.
Among the dogs were boxers, labradors, pointers and German shepherd husky crosses.
Some swam solo, while others played with their two-legged companions – adults only, not children – for safety reasons.
Saltdean laid down a few rules, though – to keep everything orderly: ‘Each of you will have to bring an adult human with you. When you’re not in the water, you’ll have to have an adult human on a lead.
Chris Heath from Crawley, West Sussex, swims with his German shepherd husky cross dog Pepsi
The lido also made one point very clear: ‘We trust that you’ve got your human trained to clean up after any unfortunate mishaps!’
‘You can bring soft toys for your human to throw for you (but the [Saltdean] team bears no responsibility for any other swimmers pinching your toys).’
And one final crucial point: ‘We trust that you’ve got your human trained to clean up after any unfortunate mishaps!’
Saltdean Lido on the East Sussex coast was originally opened in 1938 – and had in more recent times been earmarked for redevelopment as flats.
But Brighton and Hove City Council agreed to take back control of the site after a community campaign to save it.
During the Second World War, the National Fire Service used the pool as a water tank and the grounds for training
A 60-year lease was granted to Saltdean Lido Community Interest Company (CIC) in May 2012 with a view to restoring the facilities.
Rebecca Crook, Saltdean Lido CIC chairwoman, said, in 2015: ‘The backing of the Heritage Lottery Fund has always been central to the success of our project and we are delighted that all our hard work is coming to fruition.
‘The Saltdean Lido CIC will be creating new jobs and bringing new revenue and much-needed investment to the area.’
Ben Greener, historic environment adviser for the Heritage Lottery Fund, also said at the time: ‘When it was built, Saltdean Lido was the beating heart of a successful seaside resort. Sadly, as the lido declined, so did Saltdean.
A 60-year lease was granted to Saltdean Lido Community Interest Company (CIC) in May 2012 with a view to restoring the facilities
‘Yet local people have never forgotten how important this heritage icon was to their town.’
The building is Grade II*-listed and the site is on the English Heritage At Risk Register.
After just three successful seasons, the lido closed in the summer of 1940 and did not reopen to the public again until 1964.
During the Second World War, the National Fire Service used the pool as a water tank and the grounds for training.
Heritage Lottery Fund agreed to give the group £576,000 in development funding with a further £4.2million pledged for the refurbishment of the building.
Another £2.3million was donated by The Coastal Communities Fund in January 2015 and £490,000 was given by the Social Investment Bank in 2014.