Dog Pool Buying Guide

Does your dog love to hang out with you in the back yard all summer long while you do yard work, grill out or lie in the sun? Do you wish he had a way to keep cool -- other than retreating to a shady spot and panting? If so, a dog pool might be  the perfect summer accessory for your back yard.

What is a dog pool? Dog pools can look kind of like kiddie pools, but they're actually quite different. They're available in different materials, as well as an assortment of sizes to fit various breeds of dogs, and they're quite a bit more durable than the flimsy plastic pools made for toddlers. But like kiddie pools, dog pools are available in a range of fun colors and patterns for summer.

If you're considering purchasing a dog pool, here's a guide to help you pick the best one:

The first thing to consider when buying a dog pool is what material would you like the pool to be made of? Dog pools typically are made of one of three different types of materials:

• Galvanized steel -- While steel definitely is a colder, harder material for a dog pool, the advantage is durability. Pools made of metal should last and might be less likely to spring a leak before you've gotten your money's worth. These pools also can be used for bathing dogs outside.
• Heavy PVC -- PVC is a popular material for dog pools because it is tough enough to stand up to claws and rough play, but it's also lightweight and portable. Dog pools made of PVC are sometimes collapsible.
• Lightweight plastic -- Some dog pools are made of lightweight plastic, and these often come in multiple packs and could be considered disposable.

In addition to materials, you'll want to think about features of pools for dogs. Some things to consider:

• Drain Plug -- Does the pool have a drain plug? Or do you have to tip it over to drain it?
• Collapsibility -- Is the pool completely collapsible so it can easily be transported on family trips or packed away for storage during non-summer months?
• Attractiveness -- Some dog swimming pools are austere-looking, while others come in solid colors and still others come in bright colors with patterns.
• Accessibility -- Does the pool have low enough sides or a point of entry for your dog to easily get into and out of the pool? This is especially important for smaller dogs and older dogs.
• Size -- How large is the pool? A typical dogs swimming pool holds 45 to 50 gallons of water.

So, how much does a dog swimming pool typically cost? As you can see, the Amazon examples above are priced at just under $100. Other dog swimming pools cost more, but the price range usually is from just under $100 to about $250.

Generally, metal pools tend to cost a little bit more than the PVC pools. Plastic pools in multiple packs tend to cost as much or more than a single higher quality pool.

Photo credits

Dog swimming in water: http://www.flickr.com/photos/barretthall/ / CC BY 2.0 Dog in pink pool: http://www.flickr.com/photos/philippbosch/ / CC BY-SA 2.0