Their coats are waterproof and even when the water is cold, they remain happy-go-lucky! They have boundless energy, which makes them incredibly versatile as hunting and working dogs. They can run and swim for hours on end and are often utilized in settings that require a commitment to hard work like search and rescue missions. This video starts with a view of Mathesons Bay, Leigh in New Zealand. There are some rocks peeking out of the water and a diver is right in the center of the screen, looking forward, as a large black orca fin approaches him. It gets a bit too close for comfort and he shimmies his way up the rocks, crawling backward as he keeps his gaze on the giant orca in front of him. As the video continues, you spot a second fin and realize there are two orcas in the water, swimming extremely close to shore. Healthy orcas gravitate toward oxygenated water, which they find close to shore. The water tends to be clearer, and they don’t have to deal with the pollution they normally encounter in deeper waters. The camera pans over to the diver again, and you can see he has emerged fully out of the water and is resting on the rocks to keep away from the two killer whales. Then, the video cuts to a shot of the black lab enjoying the water. The pup is so close to the shore that you can see the small waves as they roll in just behind him. He’s looking around, swimming toward shore when one of the orca’s fins emerges out of the water, much too close to the lab. The lab has his focus on shore and continues forward as the orca comes up out of the water just behind him. He notices that he’s not alone and has a normal reaction to hurry up and keep swimming. It gets to the point where the water isn’t deep enough to keep swimming and he stands, turns around, and looks over at the orca. The orca has managed to make its way to the shallow area of the bay and when it realizes it can’t go further, it makes a turn and swims off as the black lab stares in disbelief (along with other onlookers!).
Is This Normal Behavior?
While Labradors are born with traits that can make them excellent swimmers, it isn’t a given that they’ll be comfortable in the water. Labradors should be introduced to the water and given opportunities to exercise their natural skills from a young age. That being said, ancestors to Labrador retrievers, namely St. John’s Water Dogs, were bred specifically as working dogs to aid Newfoundland fishermen. Once a black lab is comfortable with the water, it will be natural for it to enjoy opportunities to swim, whether in a lake, river, swimming pool, or even the ocean. A black Labrador swimming in the ocean is not unusual at all. This particular black lab makes its way as quickly as possible to the shore once it notices the large whale. Given the large proportion of the whale in size, it’s not surprising that the dog instinctually makes a dash in the opposite direction. While dogs can be good swimmers, they are at a distinct disadvantage in water over their heads. What about the orca? Do “killer whales” eat dogs? There’s actually no record of an orca killing or eating a human or a dog. Orcas typically stick to the diet they are familiar with, which can include stingrays, and have been known to venture near the shore in search of them. It’s obvious the whale was probably very curious about the swimming dog and may have been scoping it out as a potential meal. We’re very happy that this particular dog was able to make it to shore safely.
Up Next, Explore More Killer Whales:
Watch Killer Whales Chase A Boat At Terrifying Speed Rare Footage Shows How Killer Whale Packs Devastate Great White Sharks Incredible Drone Footage Captures Woman Paddle Boarding With Killer Whales
