Dog on board?

[ashtead]

I didn't mention but its useful to have a boat with a stern shower to wash him/her down after a hard days sailing . If you could convince the dog to use it a piece of astro turf on the sugar scoop (is this where that teak effect carpet might find a use?) or stern drop down might work with training but I think most dogs would prefer to be taken ashore as opposed to using whatever on board facilities more thoughtful owners might have created for them.

 

[Daydream believer]

I guess all that one can say is, "thanks for your helpful contribution to the conversation"

Well i thought it best to give a balanced, unbiased view as some do tend to post rosy views about their pet subjects & ignore some of the pitfalls. You will note that i did significantly edit my earlier post but the edit did not work, presumably because you had already quoted my rather harsh first comment

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Small dogs are good! Certainly a dog you can easily carry; remember that you COULD have to tie up at a harbour wall with the only shore access via a vertical ladder. Been there, done that - though not for a long time; when I was a teenager, we had miniature dachshunds, and it was feasible to carry one of them at a time up a vertical harbour ladder. The other advantage of a small dog is that it's exercise requirements are far less than those of a big dog. Ours is a 5kg mixed breed (not quite Heinz, but Yorkie, Chihuahua, Pug, Dachshund and Poodle!), and he is good company, lively but fairly undemanding in terms of walkies!

Accustoming them to the boat from an early age is highly desirable.

 

[Kelpie]

We did once try lowering the dogs down on a harness whilst alongside a harbour wall- it was pretty traumatic all round! I can still vidily remember the poor dog clinging onto the quayside with her front paws with a 'why are you doing this to me' look on her face.
We now admit defeat and blow up the dinghy, and row round to the nearest pontoon, slip, beach etc.

 

[Trundlebug]

Whatever you get, think about what you'll do when the dog (and maybe you) get older. The you'll need either ramps as earlier posters said, or a dog you can easily carry.

We've just had a rescue collie. But importantly, a SMALL collie, just a bit bigger than a Sheltie.

Whoever recommended Border Terriers above was very wrong, IMO. They're nasty, bitey, barkey snarling hateful little things especially if you have more than one. Far too stressful to have all that commotion on board every time someone walks past the pontoon (especially if they have a dog). I haven't seen one yet that doesn't fit this description. Horrible things

For something more interesting you could always get a Teckel. They're great.