Overexcited German Shepherd Leaps From a Boat to Join Dolphins Playfully Swimming Below

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Written by Hannah Crawford

Updated: November 10, 2023

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close up of a Sable Black German Shepherd
Tanya Consaul Photography/Shutterstock.com

When we hear “man’s best friend,” it isn’t difficult for us to know that it refers to dogs. Their loyalty and love for humans is unmatched. But, sometimes, dogs can also be loyal and loving to other animals. That’s just their good nature extending itself!

In the video, we are brought to a boat out on the ocean. A family is enjoying their day, and of course, they brought their family along for the ride, a beautiful German shepherd. As they are cruising along, this family gets the distinct privilege of seeing multiple dolphins swimming alongside them!

It is at this point we see the German shepherd get excited! He did not anticipate being able to see other animals on this outing adventure. As the dolphins swim alongside, we see them leaping out of the water and diving back in. 

This truly has gained the attention of the dog, and he is pacing back and forth, not knowing where to look because it all looks so fun. Finally, he decides he’s had enough and wants to join in the fun. The German shepherd then jumps into the water to join them!

Are Dolphins So Friendly?

Bottlenose Dolphin - Tursiops truncatus

Dolphins can swim 25 miles per hour.

Dolphins of the family Cetaceans are mammals that can be found in oceans all around the world. They weigh anywhere from 220-660 pounds and reach lengths of 6.5-13 feet as grown adults. 

Even as large of animals as they can be, yes, dolphins are very friendly! They aren’t just known to be friendly in the aspect of, oh, that animal won’t attack a human. No, we mean truly friendly. 

According to Whale and Dolphin Conservation USA, “The discovery of spindle cells in the brains of some whale and dolphin species provides good supporting evidence that these species may be capable of experiencing complex emotions such as empathy and indeed that this emotion may provide an important evolutionary advantage for these highly social species.” 

We think this is a large reason why dolphins are so friendly to humans. Why are we able to get so close to them, swim with them, and even touch them without them being aggressive? 

Of course, as with any wild animal, it is always best to use caution, as wild animals can feel threatened by things we might not think would threaten an animal.

Is It Normal For Dogs to Swim With Dolphins?

It’s not every day that a dog gets the opportunity to swim with dolphins, but there are other videos that have captured dogs swimming not only with dolphins but with whales as well. Dog breeds that naturally love the water and are strong swimmers are more likely to take the plunge to join an unfamiliar creature. Several other videos capture labrador and golden retrievers swimming with dolphins. In one video, a gray whale kept interacting with a small motorboat where the owner had two dogs that appeared to be mixed breeds. They eventually jumped in the water and swam with the whale for over an hour.

In general, dogs are comfortable on land and would not necessarily be brave enough to jump in water over their heads and swim with marine mammals. But dolphins and whales are known to interact with boats, kayaks, and swimmers on occasion, as they are naturally curious, as well as very intelligent.

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About the Author

Hannah Crawford is a writer at A-Z Animals where she focuses on reptiles, mammals, and locations in Africa. Hannah has been researching and writing about animals and various countries for over eight years. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Communication\Performance Studies from Pensacola Christian College, which she earned in 2015. Hannah is a resident in Florida, and enjoys theatre, poetry, and growing her fish tank.

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