Dogs on Boats

[tommccrorie]

i agree with you ian, it gets you off the boat in the morning and last thing at night!
We have a English springer spaniel and as Gordon can vouch, my springer regularly swims from the mooring to the shore in the morning. Of course I've got to go ashore in the dingy to fetch him back.

On board he's kept tethered at the bow as he loves to watch the bow wave and can do so for hours at a time. Haven't yet managed to train him to do the toilet on the deck but maybe sometime I'll try peeing there myself to see if that encourages him.
Cats are easier as my friend has one and they have a cat litter tray up front so there is no problem. The cat stays on board when they go ashore. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Chris_Robb]

Ian - we got a new mutt last year - black and white springer. Loves the boat.If he sees the dinghy come on board intead of the usual shore run - he will go and do his bits on the foredeck. This is a big relief for us - Last year he was in agony at the end of the Lime bay crossing! He lives under the spray hood.

 

[Chris_Robb]

You should really consider the size of the dog - Springer is just about the largest I would like to haul around!

 

[PhilipF]

For over a year till last August, a couple of Newfoundlands were kept on a nine metre Yacht, while it was moored at Cobbs Quay.

Their owners told us they had done research as regards the breed of dog best suited to be kept on boats, and these were deemed to be so due to their low metabolic rate - i.e. need of exercise.

Note: These dogs are far to large to be lifted!

 

[l'escargot]

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...Cats are easier as my friend has one and they have a cat litter tray up front so there is no problem. The cat stays on board when they go ashore. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
I have seen a number of animals on boats including a squirrel, ferrets and a parrot. It looks like I will be bringing a new element to my trips next year as mini SWMBO wants a rat. SWMBO has conceded ands it looks like I am an outnumbered so it is pretty much a certainty - most likely in the plural as I think all animals benefit from a companion. We have done mice and hamsters so rodents are not new territory.

Anything over a day or two away will now mean that said rats will accompany us - should be interesting with two rats and two ratters (Yorkshire Terriers) on a thirty foot boat. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif