Jake, What I meant by 'chlorine is chlorine ' is that when any type of chlorine is added to water it ALL makes the SAME thing: Hypochlorous acid. It does not matter if it is Sodium Hypochlorite (liquid chlorine), Tri-chlor and Di-chlor or Lithium based, Cal-hypo or even gas chlorine --it all makes Hypochlorous acid. Hypochlorous acid is the active sanitizer; this is what kills algae and other harmful stuff in the water - and bleaches liners and suit and turns blonde hair green. You're absolutley correct about salt water systems and metal pipe corrosion - you should only install one if you have plastic (PVC) plumbing in your pool

Saltwater purified swimming pools and spas have only 3,000-3,500ppm NaCl. This is 1/3 the salt content of your tears. So, if you can taste the salt you may have too much in your pool or spa.

I'm not exactly sure the chemical reason why salt water systems feel softer on the skin - probably due to the change in the density of water as a result of the dissolved NaCl

With regards to sinking Pugs, I only ever had it happen once and never tested the theroy after that - just installed three sets of gates between the dogs and the pool : )

<<<<<Iv'e never known a dog to "sink" when introduced to water,it's natural for dogs to do that "dog paddle" stroke as soon as their feet touch water,ohh well,I guess it's possible! >>>>>

You clearly havent met Smokey....the first time I brought him out to point isabel he jumped off the rocks like his sister and went straight under. he eventually popped up, but was so traumatized that he wouldnt swim. I always wear my waders there for precisely this thing... I had to go in and get him. Plus Ive fished out other peoples dogs...

Scarlet doesnt swim very well, her dog paddle skills are really quite sad. I bought her a life vest from ruffwear and strap her in, tie on a 100 ft tether and let her go..... she loves it.

Since beach weather is here, I will chime in on dogs and water. If you take your dog to the beach, let the dog decide how much to swim. Do not try to introduce your dog to water by carrying it into the water, or otherwise "encouraging" it to swim.

If your dog likes water, then he or she will figure it out if left around water for a while, especially if other dogs are playing in the water. One of the best ways to intro a dog to water is to take it to a "dog beach" and let it romp with the other dogs. Some dogs go aquatic right away, others take awhile to adjust. Some decide that water is not for them.

Keep a very close eye on your dog until you know how well it swims, and how easily it tires when swimming. Some breeds will literally swim until they drowned. My lab, for example, would simply not stop. I had to be her regulator. In any even, no matter how proficient your dog is at swimming, always watch it in the water, and always be prepared to be a doggy lifesaver. Beware of waves and currents when your dog is going for a swim. Lookout for your dog's safety. I swift current or heavy surf can overpower even a very strong swimmer.

There are doggie swim vests which add buoyancy to your pooch, and will not impede swim ability. For those of you who have boxers and pits who like the water, you might consider getting a vest for them. I like the one made by roughwear, but I am not advocating any particular brand. I life vest will also assist your dog in heavy surf and cold water.

It wouldn't hurt to learn CPR, if you don't know it. Your vet will be happy to show you how. More than one dog has been saved by CPR.

That's my two cents worth. Take it or leave it. It's base on a lot of experience with dogs and water, though.

My favorite canine swimmer was a labrador retrieve who had a bulldog companion. She had a deflated basketball which was squashed into the shape of a bowl. The basketball bowl would sink to the bottom of the pool when thrown in. The lab would dive off of the diving board and swim to the bottom of the pool to retrieve the toy. The bulldog would wait at the side of the pool. The lab would swim to the bulldog with one end of the toy in her mouth. When the lab reached the edge of the pool, the bulldog would grab the other side of the toy. Then the bulldog would put his bulldog tractor motor in reverse and pull the lab up and out of the water over the side of the pool. Of course, the bulldog would hang onto the toy until the lab would finally give up and let go. They did this over and over again.

A pair of dogs which I owned were a Catahoula and a Border Collie. The catahoula did not like to get water in his ears. The collie loved the waves. We lived on the beach. So, the collie would crash through the waves to retrieve the buoy. The catahoula would stand chest deep in the water. The collie would swim directly to the catahoula and hand off the toy to him. Then the catahoula would retrieve the toy to my hand. People would stop to watch this canine aquatic team at work, and marvel at them at their routine. I would sometime be asked how I trained them to do that. I wished I could take the credit, but they figured it out themselves. They both wanted to retrieve and play in the water, and rather than compete, they decided to cooperate.