Best dog for a yacht?

[Sea_dreamer]

As part of the pact that resulted in a boat being purchased - that was just slightly bigger, slightly over budget and so on - there was a hint of a family dog being the other side of the bargain.

Assuming a reasonable size yacht, two children (girls) and a desire to go sailing over the weekend, what would be the best choice of family hound?

Discuss...

 

[ironmaiden]

a St barnard would be interesting ! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Lakesailor]

Poodle. They like swimming and catch fish. Just have the operation done first (sewing up the arse)

 

[Sea_dreamer]

Dog overboard would be challenging... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Cornishman]

Seadog?

 

[mirabriani]

Surely has to be a Labrador,
a natural water dog.
I have owned several.
I find they usually try to "save me" if I am in the water.

All IMO of course, Regards Briani

 

[jerryat]

None at all if you really want to enjoy your sailing. Most dogs aren't happy (at least long term cruising) on board and the restrictions they impose on their owners is immense. Not too bad I guess for your weekend type of sailing though.

Not personal experience, but those of several friends!

Cheers Jerry

 

[bob_tyler]

If you are giving a dog a run ashore, as opposed to a bitch, stick an oar upright in the sand and it will think it is a lamp post. You can rinse it off in the sea afterwards - the oar not the dog!

 

[rich]

It's Got to be a Cocker Spaniel.

 

[ironmaiden]

of course your new boat will have.....................a dog house /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[hylass]

If you are sailing in a cold country??

may I suggest a HOT DOG?? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[[3889]]

Got to agree with Jerry. I had high hopes of enrolling my Labradoodle on to the crew but he's most unhappy at sea. Saloon is thick with dog hair ( and no, they're not suppose to moult) and there is nowhere for him to get comfortable when heeled on a 32' ben. If you must have a dog to sail with get a small one, westie size.
Andy

 

[Salty John]

We had a Jack Russell on board for two years. He coped pretty well and was relatively unobtrusive due to his size and the fact that his hair tended to stay attached to him. The biggest problem with dogs is establishing a poo/pee ritual that is ok on the boat but doesn't undermine all the training at home. A piece of astroturf on the bow was our solution, but not entirely successful. He would still hold it for longer than could have been good for him, and then revel in ablutionary delight when he got ashore!

 

[mirabriani]

It answers the question.......

"Who's for the Dog Watch?"

Groan!

Briani

 

[Gordonmc]

Anything bigger than can be lifted with one hand, in harness, would be best left ashore.
Anything that loves the water so much it will abitrarily jump into the 'oggin from boat or dinghy, likewise.
I can swing our mutt from the dinghy into the cockpit and while he will go into the water if encouraged, would not volunteer. Big, wet dogs are hardly condusive to cabin life.
Cast hairs have an uncanny knack of getting into every hidden corner, including the engine bay and bilges.
But I never found ablutions a big problem until we were guests on a friend's boat. Cleverly the dog went into the heads to leave a deposit on the floor which was found by the skipper.
I can't understand why he was upset (the skipper).
Maybe be protesteth too much.

 

[Lakesailor]

Scuse me? Are you saying your dog crapped in someone else's boat?

I think I would be extremely annoyed.

 

[Joe_Cole]

He is. I think you'll find that his comments are tongue in cheek! (i.e. he did understand why the skipper wasn't too happy)

 

[Lakesailor]

Harumphh. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Joe_Cole]

FWIW I would second the earlier suggestion about a poodle.

Some friends of mine have one and, the first time they came on board with it, it came on as if it had been on boats all its life. It is always well behaved and has never "performed". I also understand that poodles don't shed hairs (which is why they need regular trimming). Nice dog.

Personally, I'm not sure that I would want a poodle for myself. Self image and all that, but it is very good on the boat. In any event, from what you have said, you will have no choice in what breed will be chosen!

 

[Becky]

The best dog for YOUR boat s one that you have bonded with, is used to your family, and preferably has been brought up with sailing is part of the normal family activity. If I was going to buy a dog with sailing in mind, something small would be my choice, possibly a Westie or a Jack Russel.
This summer, when sailing along the French Coast, all breeds of dogs, but one that remains with me is a daschund hysterical at the chance of getting back on board. Also saw 2 labradors on a yacht in Yarmouth.
My spaniel is very nervous of everything, but she comes on board. In rough weather she retreats to our bed (suitably covered), or comes on deck to be cuddled. The one thing that endeared her to the boat is that I always feed her on board. So from her point of view, something nice will always happen on the boat!