Ananova:

Two sheepdogs have become honorary members of a Chinese swimming club.

Four-year-old Paris and her six-month-old pup Carlo swim at least 5km each day in the Jialing River in Chongqing, reports the Chongqing Morning Post.

The dogs are now the most popular members of the city winter swimming team - and even have their own shower cubicle.

"If other team members accidentally drop something into the river, Paris jumps in and retrieves it," said owner Yu Guoqing.

He said Paris has been swimming every day since she was Carlo's age and both dogs love their daily swim.

Every afternoon they join their non-canine swimming companions and - at a whistle signal - leap from a 10ft high platform into the river.

Yu said: "Originally I bought Paris as a swimming mate but I never expected her to take to it like this. Each day she swims at least 3km, and sometimes as far as 25 km."

Yu said he and his wife are both keen swimmers and record the dog's distance each day. They estimate she has swum a total of 10,000km. "We are so proud of her," he added.