The dog paddle or doggy paddle is a simple swimming style. It is characterized by the swimmer lying on their chest and moving their hands and legs alternately in a manner reminiscent of how dogs and other quadrupedal mammals swim.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It is effectively a "trot" in water, instead of land.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
It was the first swimming stroke used by ancient humans, believed to have been learned by observing animals swim.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Prehistoric cave paintings in Egypt show figures doing what appears to be the dog paddle.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
It is often the first swimming stroke used by young children when they are learning to swim.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The dog paddle has also been taught as a military swimming stroke when a silent stroke is needed - since neither arms nor legs break the surface.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>