Kildare Vet Urges Caution After Frenchie Drowns In Straffan - "Some Breeds Can’t Stay Afloat"

Tuesday, 20 May 2025 13:22

By Martin Osborne

The owner of a French bulldog dealt with a traumatic incident after her dog fell into the Straffan river, behind Steam Museum.

Short-nosed dogs, such as French bulldogs, pugs and Shih Tzus, may struggle to swim in deep water due to their flat faces and short legs.

That's according to Kildare vet Des Groome who said some dog breeds should be kept leashed near water.

The warning comes following an incident in Straffan on Sunday.

The owner of a French bulldog dealt with a traumatic incident after her dog fell into the Straffan river, behind the the Steam Museum.

Despite a frantic search and a number of locals getting involved, the two-year-old Frenchie was found deceased at the bottom of the river near where he fell in.

A number of locals offered to help, with one man offering to search the river in a canoe.

Some locals even scoured the area, searching as far as Celbridge and the Leixlip reservoir.

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