Swimming pool for dogs opens in new Wirral venue

Doggy Paddle was first opened in 2020 on Pasture Road in Moreton by couple Stuart Smith and Laura Cohen-Smith.

However, after four years in the Moreton location, Stuart sold the business to Prenton resident and former customer Michael Moran who has since reopened Doggy Paddle in Carrock Road in Bromborough.  

Michael Moran and his dog Winnie (Image: Michael Moran)

The new unit opened on Wednesday, April 10, and is back offering Wirral residents and their canine friends swim lessons again.

Michael, 43, told the Globe: “I used to take my three-year-old Labrador Winnie to Doggy Paddle all the time and she used to absolutely love it.

“I used to sit there wistfully looking at it because I hated my job at the time and always thought this would be perfect for me to do one day so when Stuart was looking to sell the business I thought let’s take the risk and throw everything I’ve got at it. So I got in touch and the rest is history.”

Doggy Paddle based in Bromborough (Image: Michael Moran)

Michael, who worked as a pipe fitter for 20 years before taking over Doggy Paddle, said the business has been “perfect” in helping Winnie and other dogs who have been diagnosed with health conditions.

He said: “Winnie has elbow dysplasia so I've got to be careful with the amount of exercise she Is doing on hard floors so this low impact deep water swimming is excellent for her.

“I started taking her when she was six months old because she loved swimming in the sea and loved water so when I heard about Doggy Paddle I thought, ‘She’d love that’ and she took to it straight away. She was almost diving off the platform after her first few sessions.

Doggy Paddle in Bromborough offers swimming lessons for dogs (Image: Michael Moran)

“We get a lot of older dogs in here as well who can’t run like they used to but the low-impact swimming is fantastic for them. A half-hour session can completely tire them out so it’s brilliant for everyone all around really.

“It’s brilliant for dogs with leg problems and things like that but they’re also fun swims that enable them to release a lot of their energy which is helpful for the owners.

“All shapes and sizes of dogs are welcome we have a maximum of 50-55kilos purely for the size of the pool but any breeds are welcome.

“We get them in for an introductory session to see how they get on and how they take to me and then we’ve got all other sessions that owners can book in.

“It’s been brilliant so far. I’m really excited to get going and get all the old regulars back in as well as welcome in new people too.”

Doggy Paddle is based at Unit 12 Carrock Road , Bromborough, CH62 3RA. To find out more click here.