Waughey
Member
Does anyone have experience of having a whippet on a sailing boat? I can spend up to 3 to 4 weeks cruising and would like to know how suited whippets are to life on board. Any views greatly appreciated.
Dogs on boats. Whippets?
- Thread starter Waughey
- Start date
geem
Well-Known Member
Do they get seasick? Do they mind getting cold and wet? will they go to the loo on command? If you can answer these questions then you will know the answer.
We have two Patterdales that have crossed the Atlantic twice. They don't get seasick, they live in the cockpit so are used to ‘weather’, they have got the toilet sorted?
Ian_Edwards
Well-Known Member
No direct experience of a whippet, but my youngest daughter had a lurcher, very whippet like. He was nightmare, got cold quickly, was car sick, OK on the boat, but we never had any rough weather when he was onboard, he could be very destructive if left alone, he chewed everything in sight, and you couldn't leave any food around if he was out of sight of a human. If that wasn't enough he was very active ashore and ran like the wind, so he was difficult to exercise in area you weren't familiar with.
I don't know if he was a "problem dog" but I know he was totally unsuitable for taking on boat.
You really need a laid back breed that's obedient, I've sailed with a Leonberger for many years, my current leo' is so laid back she often doesn't get up until 09:00, and quickly learnt, "ready about" and "lee-hoo", when she changes sides in the cockpit, but always to the leeward side cockpit seat.
I don't know if he was a "problem dog" but I know he was totally unsuitable for taking on boat.
You really need a laid back breed that's obedient, I've sailed with a Leonberger for many years, my current leo' is so laid back she often doesn't get up until 09:00, and quickly learnt, "ready about" and "lee-hoo", when she changes sides in the cockpit, but always to the leeward side cockpit seat.
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andyj301
Active Member
I also have a lurcher, we spent some time on an 8m cat. Not so much heeling and the dog had a double bed and could get into cockpit easily. The dog would go to the toilet on deck but otherwise hated the experience, becoming more nervous and destructive as the journey went on. Its nice to have the company but I definitely would not do it again unless I could train the dog to perch on my shoulder.
My mate has a blue whippet, doesn't even like walking along the pontoon.
Each dog is an individual, but it seems to be labs, spaniels or terriers on boats.
My mate has a blue whippet, doesn't even like walking along the pontoon.
Each dog is an individual, but it seems to be labs, spaniels or terriers on boats.
[70521]
Well-Known Member
As an ex dog owner I always suggest kennels as the best place for a sailor's dog.
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NormanS
Well-Known Member
The best dog for a boat is a stuffed one. ?
PeterV
Well-Known Member
Look at the you tube channel sailing uma, where they live on a boat cruising the world with a whippet on board.
Waughey
Member
Thanks Peter. Are you sure it is Sailing Uma? I cant see any whippets or any other dogs in their posts.
FlyingGoose
Well-Known Member
I regularly sail with my two, the Shepard is as calm as the moon, the hound , female gets upset in foul weather , five weeks normally spent on the boat at a time
PeterV
Well-Known Member
Sorry, I should have checked, it’s sailing Nandji
Hallberg-Rassy
Well-Known Member
Can they climb 4 or 5 near vertical wet steps to get in and out of the cabin?
Which have you got already, the dog or the/which boat?
Just as an aside, then the Portuguese first made it to Japan (C16th), the Japanese became convinced the sailors slept with their sheep (in more ways that one). They weren't actually their sheep, they were they were Portuguese Water Dogs (cão de água algarvio). The moral of the story is, perhaps get something bigger that will keep your warmer at night? If, of course, you enjoy mopping up pee and the smell and texture of daily turds on top of it all.
What's the old saying, "sailing's like getting into a dark cupboard with a big, wet shagging dog and ripping up £50 notes". I'm not sure that was meant as advice to do so practically.
What's your Plan B if your canine victim is unhappy with the experience?
FlyingGoose
Well-Known Member
In response to the above , as I take it you have not done it hence why quoting the 16th century
I have 7 near vertical steps
Solution = we built a dog ramp that is easily moved to allow them access up and down
Dog mess
Solution, = our Shepard has no issues peeing of deck , quite funny really he tries for the stanchions and always hits the water
We feed our dogs dry food and constiantly the same this allows for hard stools that are easily picked up ,up front and put overboard , no different to picking it up in the park
Peeing is just a bucket over the side and a quick brush down for the hound .
Sleeping
Solution = they have their own beds are are happy to be there it is their safe space
Seasickness
Solution= The Shepard has not got a care in the world , in fact he sits on top of the Bimini looking out , he Is comfatable there up F5 were he just comes and lies beside us in the cockpit
The hound is female and can get nervous if it gets rough, she is comfatable by our feet or wrapped up in a blanket at the bottom of the cockpit were she feels safe.
None have been sick but the vet can prescribe something if you need
Into and out of dinghies, . We use a large fender like a fender step so that they can launch from the dinghy which has chaps on it Tie the large fender to the boat with a mat to protect boat sides.
Always take them ashore at all times , for their walking and sniffing , but I tend to be out in the wilds so it suits me , all marinas I have been to have accepted dogs, with the usual rules in place
Dogs are not for everyone on a boat and if I did not have the dogs first then I would not get them as I had the boat unless they were going into kennels , they are harder work , need attention, and looked after properly .
I take them on my boat because they are both rescued , , and kennels are not the best for them, the costs of kennels and they were slowly introduced to the boat slowly , staring on the hard , then pontoon , then small sails to larger outings
If non of that puts you of go for it.
Many cruisers this year in Scotland had their dogs more dogs than I have ever seen on boats, perhaps because of no kennels opened , and puppy fever during lockdown, 99% were small dogs and easily handled on a boat
I see no problems with a whippet as long as you take your time and your friend is aware of the pitfalls
I have 7 near vertical steps
Solution = we built a dog ramp that is easily moved to allow them access up and down
Dog mess
Solution, = our Shepard has no issues peeing of deck , quite funny really he tries for the stanchions and always hits the water
We feed our dogs dry food and constiantly the same this allows for hard stools that are easily picked up ,up front and put overboard , no different to picking it up in the park
Peeing is just a bucket over the side and a quick brush down for the hound .
Sleeping
Solution = they have their own beds are are happy to be there it is their safe space
Seasickness
Solution= The Shepard has not got a care in the world , in fact he sits on top of the Bimini looking out , he Is comfatable there up F5 were he just comes and lies beside us in the cockpit
The hound is female and can get nervous if it gets rough, she is comfatable by our feet or wrapped up in a blanket at the bottom of the cockpit were she feels safe.
None have been sick but the vet can prescribe something if you need
Into and out of dinghies, . We use a large fender like a fender step so that they can launch from the dinghy which has chaps on it Tie the large fender to the boat with a mat to protect boat sides.
Always take them ashore at all times , for their walking and sniffing , but I tend to be out in the wilds so it suits me , all marinas I have been to have accepted dogs, with the usual rules in place
Dogs are not for everyone on a boat and if I did not have the dogs first then I would not get them as I had the boat unless they were going into kennels , they are harder work , need attention, and looked after properly .
I take them on my boat because they are both rescued , , and kennels are not the best for them, the costs of kennels and they were slowly introduced to the boat slowly , staring on the hard , then pontoon , then small sails to larger outings
If non of that puts you of go for it.
Many cruisers this year in Scotland had their dogs more dogs than I have ever seen on boats, perhaps because of no kennels opened , and puppy fever during lockdown, 99% were small dogs and easily handled on a boat
I see no problems with a whippet as long as you take your time and your friend is aware of the pitfalls
thinwater
Well-Known Member
A dog that was bred for the sole purpose of running on a boat...?
anoccasionalyachtsman
Well-Known Member
I don't think there's anything about any particular breed that makes it good or bad on a boat. As proof I offer my first dog, a Lurcher. By contrast to the two above he was a very happy chap on a boat. He decided for himself that the foredeck was private enough for a loo - much to my relief and the amusement of a passing photographer who knew us. My second, and current, is a Lab cross and adores everything to do with boating. Both moderately large, and if I'd chosen them (as opposed to fate) I'd probably have gone for something medium sized.
So for the op, just try it and see.
So for the op, just try it and see.
Kelpie
Well-Known Member
We used to take our dogs sailing, for up to a fortnight at a time on a 27ft Vega. They were aged 2&3 when we got the boat.
The younger one is half whippet, half something else. Pretty whippety though. I thought he took to it really well. They are the kind of dog that likes to spend 99% of the day curled up asleep, and then the other 1% running around like mad. Which is perfect when you are stuck onboard most of the day save a quick trip to the beach.
He was agile enough that the companionway, or getting in and out of the dingy, was never a problem. Small and light enough to carry up and down a quayside ladder when needed. He did feel the cold a bit, so on night watches would curl up in my sleeping bag keeping it warm for me.
He's now 12 years old and no longer goes sailing with us- partly his age, and partly because we have a much bigger boat with higher freeboard. He would probably still manage this, but our other (larger) dog cannot, so it makes sense to get someone to look after both of them together.
The younger one is half whippet, half something else. Pretty whippety though. I thought he took to it really well. They are the kind of dog that likes to spend 99% of the day curled up asleep, and then the other 1% running around like mad. Which is perfect when you are stuck onboard most of the day save a quick trip to the beach.
He was agile enough that the companionway, or getting in and out of the dingy, was never a problem. Small and light enough to carry up and down a quayside ladder when needed. He did feel the cold a bit, so on night watches would curl up in my sleeping bag keeping it warm for me.
He's now 12 years old and no longer goes sailing with us- partly his age, and partly because we have a much bigger boat with higher freeboard. He would probably still manage this, but our other (larger) dog cannot, so it makes sense to get someone to look after both of them together.
fredrussell
Well-Known Member
I have a whippet and I can state, categorically, that they are the worst breed of dog for a boat. Whippets hate water. Mine won’t go in the garden if the grass is wet. You can’t blame theme hating water really, they have next to no body fat so aren’t very buoyant, and they have really skinny lower legs that are useless at propulsion. If you are looking to go sailing a lot with your dog, DO NOT get a whippet!
Hallberg-Rassy
Well-Known Member
Good comment above. No coats either. How many I see shivering on the high street.
The cãos de água are still around. Good swimmers, naturally. The fishermen actually used them for retrieving tackle, herding fish into their nets, and ferrying messages between boats. At least the breed has been around te sea for 100s of years.
I think there are too many dog these days, with no real need for their existence, especially in cties. Good marks for rescuing,as commercial breeding is between plain wrong to criminal in many cases.
People are obsessed with living out images they've seen and think is cool, whether local toughs wth their Staffies, or young professionals with whatever the latest fad is (for a long time there was a run on french bulldogs), and as with their kids feel entitld to impinge their desires/noise/lack of responsibilities on everyone else around them.
I like dogs but modern life is no place for them. Is small boating?
Interesting story though, huh?
The cãos de água are still around. Good swimmers, naturally. The fishermen actually used them for retrieving tackle, herding fish into their nets, and ferrying messages between boats. At least the breed has been around te sea for 100s of years.
I think there are too many dog these days, with no real need for their existence, especially in cties. Good marks for rescuing,as commercial breeding is between plain wrong to criminal in many cases.
People are obsessed with living out images they've seen and think is cool, whether local toughs wth their Staffies, or young professionals with whatever the latest fad is (for a long time there was a run on french bulldogs), and as with their kids feel entitld to impinge their desires/noise/lack of responsibilities on everyone else around them.
I like dogs but modern life is no place for them. Is small boating?
Stemar
Well-Known Member
Get a Newfie. They love the water and, if there's no wind they can tow you
laika
Well-Known Member
Whippets! Seriously. I spent a lot of time living in Hackney over the past few years. The writing had been on the wall for the french bulldog for some time (widely publicised health issues not a good look for the modern environmentally aware hipster). I had predicted daschunds to take their crown but it turned out to be whippets which started to be commonplace in victoria park. Obviously these things take a while to filter through to the rest of the country: Men still had big beards in high street adverts years after all the beards vanished from the male patrons of the Lauriston seemingly over a single april night (to be replaced with stubble, apparently having skipped the clean shaven phase).
Hallberg-Rassy
Well-Known Member
Well, there you go. It's all about combining the two latest fads.
However, if Hackney housing prices are anything to go by, they're probably their upmarket kennel mates, Italian Greyhounds (lovely dogs, but for warm Tuscan hillsides, or all year round central heating, only).
I'll +1 no skinny whippet-like dogs on boats.
I remember seeing a Italian Greyhound whose leg had been broken by a careless owner. If you don't know them, they are like small twigs. As the other poster commented, there's no fat on them at all, so you could clearly see the piece of Meccano and screws the vet had used to hold it together with.
* BTW, if hipster beards are now obsolete, where do I send all my now presumably obsolete plaid shirts too? I suppose the hospice charity shops in Dalston are full of them?
