Water in sight – Greta was delighted. Our English Mastiff female did not need much encouragement at the dog swimming event at the Hochwaldbad in Kell am See. On 12 September 2026, we spent a wonderfully relaxed afternoon there with friendly dogs, lovely people and a Greta who would happily have returned to the pool again and again.
Her enthusiasm did not come as much of a surprise to us. Greta from Gawy had already shown us long ago that there can certainly be a little water lover hiding inside an English Mastiff.
A Water Lover with Experience
There was a simple reason why Greta entered the water so naturally: swimming was nothing new to her.
During our stays in Spain, we regularly took her to the dog beach. That was where she discovered the sea – waves, sand and everything else that comes with a young dog exploring the coast. Greta enjoyed going into the water and already showed us back then that she had no hesitation whatsoever about getting wet.
And whenever she was not swimming, she naturally found another way to keep herself busy: digging.
Moving from the Mediterranean to a swimming pool therefore did not seem like much of a leap for Greta. The pool at the Hochwaldbad received her approval almost immediately.
From the Sea to the Hochwaldbad
An English Mastiff is probably not the first breed that comes to mind when you think of an enthusiastic swimmer. Greta has a slightly different opinion.
She went straight into the water with enthusiasm and swam calmly and confidently through the pool. No lengthy hesitation and no suspicious looks from the edge – Greta knew exactly what she wanted.
A Borrowed Toy and One Very Happy Greta
The team at the Hochwaldbad also played their part in making this an afternoon Greta probably would not mind repeating.
The staff were exceptionally friendly and even lent us a toy for Greta. That was when she was truly in her element. Water and a toy at the same time – it could hardly have been planned any better for her.
Again and again, she swam after the toy, retrieved it from the water and was immediately ready for another round.
A Relaxed and Friendly Event
Quite apart from Greta’s enthusiasm, we really enjoyed the dog swimming event itself. By our estimate, there were no more than around 20 dogs there at any one time. That left plenty of room in and around the pool, and the event never felt overcrowded.
What stood out most was the friendly atmosphere. The other visitors were lovely, and the dogs we met were friendly and sociable as well. Despite the different sizes, breeds and temperaments, we experienced a very relaxed afternoon filled with positive encounters.
Everyone was considerate of one another, conversations started naturally, and there was almost as much chatting and watching around the pool as there was playing in the water.
Greta Is Growing Up
For us, the afternoon was interesting for another reason as well. We can increasingly see that Greta is growing up.
With plenty of unfamiliar dogs, people and new impressions around her, she remained pleasantly calm. Even when things became a little more lively between some of the dogs, Greta did not allow herself to be drawn into the excitement. She watched, remained composed and then simply returned to whatever she had been doing.
That development is especially rewarding to see in a young and energetic female. Greta is still curious, active and full of energy – but at the same time she is becoming increasingly confident in deciding which situations actually require a response and which ones she can simply ignore.
For us, situations like these are at least as interesting as an appearance in the show ring. We have written in detail about Greta’s achievements and development in our article “Champions of the New Generation”. But Champion titles only ever tell a small part of a dog’s story.
How a dog behaves in everyday life, in unfamiliar surroundings and around other dogs is just as much a part of the overall picture for us.
When an English Mastiff Starts Conversations
Of course, Greta attracting attention at the Hochwaldbad was almost unavoidable. An English Mastiff stands out through size alone, and many people rarely have the opportunity to meet one in everyday life.
Several visitors therefore approached us and took the opportunity to ask us directly about the English Mastiff. This led to some very pleasant conversations about the breed, its temperament and what everyday life with a Mastiff is really like.
We particularly enjoy encounters like these. Instead of simply talking about size or weight, people can experience a Mastiff in a completely normal situation: surrounded by unfamiliar people and dogs, in the middle of everything going on – and, in Greta’s case, with one very clear goal in mind: getting back into the water as quickly as possible.
If you would like to learn more about the breed, its temperament, everyday life and special characteristics, you can find detailed information in our English Mastiff breed profile based on over 30 years of experience.
Everyday Life Matters Just as Much as the Show Ring
Dog shows and breeding are part of our history with the Mastiff. But above all, our dogs live one thing: a completely normal family life.
That includes walks, holidays, days out together, new places and, every now and then, an afternoon at a swimming pool.
Another lovely example was our visit to Weiskirchen Wildlife Park with Ingo. That day also showed how many conversations and positive encounters can arise when people meet an English Mastiff naturally in everyday life. You can read the story in “English Mastiff Ingo Visits Weiskirchen Wildlife Park”.
Water? Any Time.
After this afternoon, Greta’s opinion of water can probably be summed up quite simply: she loves it.
Whether it is the dog beach and the sea in Spain or the swimming pool at the Hochwaldbad, Greta does not seem to need much convincing.
For us, it was a lovely and uncomplicated afternoon with a wonderfully friendly atmosphere, plenty of pleasant encounters and one very happy Greta.
And if the dog swimming event takes place again next year, the question will probably be less whether Greta wants to come along – and more how quickly she can get into the water.
Impressions from the Dog Swimming Event in Kell am See
To finish, here are a few more impressions from Greta’s afternoon at the Hochwaldbad:
