Hundeschwimmen: Pool in Canton Zurich to host free swimming day for dogs

While having a dip in a swimming pool is always one of life’s little indulgences, you aren’t usually able to share the fun with your four-legged friends. However, to commemorate the end of the swimming season, one swimming pool in Canton Zurich is set to open its doors to dogs and allow them to swim in all the pools.

Swimming pool in Opfikon opens its doors to dogs

Between 10am and 5pm on September 17, the public swimming pool in Opfikon, Canton Zurich, is set to open its doors to some slightly hairier clientele than usual. On the day, all dogs will be able to come and take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool, relax on the water's edge, and even indulge in some of the water slides. What’s more, entry is entirely free!

Starting back in 2020, dog swimming (Hundeschwimmen) has become an annual tradition for the pool and is used to commemorate the end of the bathing season. Speaking to ZüriToday, operations manager Martin Koller said that the event started as a response to the litany of dog owners who asked whether their furry friends could use the pool.

Chlorine cleared from the pool to prepare for Hundeschwimmen

He added that usually, dogs are not allowed in the pools and must be kept on the terrace of the pools' restaurant because they run the risk of drinking too much of the chlorine-treated water. In preparation for the event, “The chlorine is almost completely removed”, he noted.

While a self-described cat person himself, Koller told ZüriToday’s Laura Dünser that he always enjoys the dog swimming day, especially when some venture down the slide. For those hoping to take their canines to the pool, there is good news, as the weather for the day is expected to be sunny with highs of 26 degrees celsius.