Brachycephalic breeds, or those with flat faces or incredibly small snouts, are typically not good swimmers since it is too simple for them to get water in their noses, increasing the risk of drowning. Dogs with long bodies with short legs, as well as those with huge, barrel-shaped bodies, have difficulty staying afloat. Long-haired dogs with thick double coats may have trouble swimming. And last, some breeds are just not built to handle the shock to the body that cold water immersion causes.