Dogs frolic in Olympic-sized swimming pool

Pooches showed their owners how to doggy-paddle as they enjoyed a dip in an Olympic-size swimming pool.

The annual dog swim at the Grade II-listed Sandford Parks Lido pool in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, was attended by an estimated 1,800 dogs and their owners over the weekend.

This year's event was the eighth consecutive dog swim and attracted breeds across the board, from Beagles to Bulldogs.

Kai Watts took his excitable two-year-old XL American Bully Rummey to Friday's (06/10) afternoon session, as he enjoyed it so much last year.

But the 25-year-old, from Berkeley in Gloucestershire, worries it might be the last time Rummey is allowed to join in on the swim due to impending restrictions on the breed.

"He just loves being around people, dogs and swimming - they're his three favourite things," he said.

"But really, this is probably going to be the last time I get to go to the lido with him, and that's horrible.

"The ban disappointed me - it's awful. It breaks my heart. The attacks are 100 per cent down to the terrible ownership of the dogs, and people at the lido were saying that to me.

"We were at the lido last year and it's great. Rummey loves swimming and he spent the whole hour in the water, playing with other dogs in the pool.

"I think it's a really good idea - more places should do it. It's great socialisation for the dogs and it's great exercise as well.

"There were about 100 dogs in there with Rummey of pretty much every dog breed around."