I had a GSP and a German Shepherd a while back. I loved them both.  The GSP had retrieved in a lake a few times and loved it.  A few years ago when I moved to my current waterfront house (lake access from my back yard), my GSP jumped in the lake.  The Home Owners Association didn't like that.  So I gave the GSP to my brother a few miles away, and it died a couple years later.  My German Shepherd never went near the water so I was able to keep her.  She died a few months ago, so I am planning on getting another dog one of these days.

  I would like another GSP.  But if GSPs are likely to jump in the lake without being introduced to it, I will have to go with another breed.  I'm thinking my previous GSP jumped into "my" lake because he loved the water so much because I had him retrieve from the other lake before and he enjoyed it.  I don't plan on ever letting it in any water.  But I am wondering if swimming is ingrained into them. 

If I got a GSP and it ended up jumping into the lake, I could put up a pool fence.  But the fence has to be HOA approved and at a certain way in the yard (The HOA NAZIS cruise by in a boat once in a while and look for violations, so the fence has to be just right.).  But the fence would probably cost about $1000.  So that is a major factor.  Any thoughts?  If I get a GSP is it destined to jump in the lake?  If so, would a Lab or Golden Retriever be less likely to jump in?

All the breeds you mentioned really tend to like the water, I have 9 GSPS and all LOVE it! A young dog can be taught limits though, through proper training/obedience, theres no reason he can't be taught the lake is off-limits.

Have you thought about installing invisible fence?? That'd be the route I took, no getting to lake, no running away, no visible fencing to meet hoa standards!!

I would not buy a GSP and hope it didn't like water.  They are supposed to love water as they are a versatile dog.  Sure, some may not like it until they are exposed to it (a littermate to mine didn't like it much but now does) but I'd never buy one expecting it to stay away from the lake.

I have 5 shorthairs and 4 of them love the water. Be it the pool in the yard, ditches flooded in the spring or the lake. I ran into the same kind of trouble here, all the lake shore(lake Michigan) was bought up and the only local access is posted no dogs allowed! I am so sick of it. I always clean up after my animals and I hate not being able to take them swimming. They totally love to swim. This is getting terrible that you can only take your animals on your own land. In your' case; not even that. A bunch of rich snobby !#**##!!!!

I guess we are lucky in our area in Wisconsin. Alot of our parks and lakes allow dogs as long as they are on leashes around picnic areas.I have never owned a dog that didnot love water and were great swimmers I feel sorry for those who live by lakes that donot allow dogs. Besides I always thought water was a free area which rules shouldnot apply. So once your dog is in a boat off the land area, your dog should be able to jump from the boat and go for a short swim.  So check to see if thereare different rules for land and and once you are out in the lake.