Is there anything good about a dog on a boat?

Exactly the same good reasons for having a dog at home. You either "get" dogs and have them with you the same wherever you are, or you don't and miss out it in a sad dog absent, lacking sort of way...
 
Pro Dave, lock yer missus and dog in the garage, go out on the piss, come home late and open the garage. Guess who is the most pleased to see you? That's what dogs are about.
 
Woken by the dog at 05.00 onboard today.

Luckily am in a marina near a beach so not too much of a problem, more of a PITA when on our home mooring.

Daughter who talked us into dog ownership is fast asleep.
 
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I am "rather attached to my Lab" and he to me! I would love to take him on extended trips around the Hebrides etc., but he's heavy to lift aboard and doesn't like going below - so only day sails.
Otherwise he and I would be away all summer.

I think I missed him more than he missed me last year!!!

And yes, the car and house suffer from "wet dog" and black hairs; but I don't care, and no-one else seems to mind :encouragement:

PS Sorry about the size of pic, haven't worked out how to make them smaller
 
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I have successfully cruised the west coast of Scotland with a dog, taking her ashore twice a day, and would happily do so again. She is very friendly, and starts all sorts of conversations in new ports; dogs are great ice breakers. The point about going for walks and exploring new places is a very good one.

My only caveat is that she is small, a border terrier, and with her life jacket on in she is a one-handed lift in and out of the tender or up a ladder in tricky situations, which makes a huge difference.
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
Pro Dave, lock yer missus and dog in the garage, go out on the piss, come home late and open the garage. Guess who is the most pleased to see you? That's what dogs are about.
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True enough, but I think more accurate if you delete "the most" ;)

I'd add that I've had friends aboard who were far less adept at sea than dogs I've known on boats, although it was easier to train them to use the loo. Usually.

Some good friends cruised for years with a black Lab. On passage he'd usually curl up in a downhill corner below. On the cry "lee ho" he'd roll his eyes with a "here we go again" expression, stroll lugubriously to the other side and flop down again.
 
One of these days I'll take a video of how we get our dogs aboard. The larger one is about 26kg so not small, and Kelpie has relatively high freeboard for a MAB.

That is, of course, if. I ever get to go sailing again. On day four of newest (human) crew member. Bloody hell, come back dogs, all is forgiven...
 
Malo37 said:
'A house is not a home without a dog"
Personally I wouldn't quite trust anyone who doesn't like dogs.
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you could turn that around and say "I would not trust anyone who dogs don't like."

Mind you they are terrible judges of character

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Nilsen

They have been bred to love people - and I am not really sure that they care as long as the people are nice to them. Nilsen was nice to his dog who apparently placidly watched his despicable acts.

I used to work in the mid west of the USA - met several people who said they would never trust a man who did not own a pick-up.

Maggie has been to live with several people over the years - sometimes for hours, sometimes for days, once for three months

I really don't think she cares as long as she knows where her basket is, that there is a sack of dog food within smelling distance and is allowed to politely and avidly watch food preparation in the hope that it is a sign that her bowl will start filling up.


D
 
dylanwinter said:
I really don't think she cares as long as she knows where her basket is, that there is a sack of dog food within smelling distance and is allowed to politely and avidly watch food preparation in the hope that it is a sign that her bowl will start filling up.
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Reads like a marketing quote for the National Labrador Association. :) So true.
 
Kelpie said:
One of these days I'll take a video of how we get our dogs aboard. The larger one is about 26kg so not small, and Kelpie has relatively high freeboard for a MAB.

That is, of course, if. I ever get to go sailing again. On day four of newest (human) crew member. Bloody hell, come back dogs, all is forgiven...
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Congrats with the new crew.

Would be interested to see the video when you do one, we have a lab crossed with a mastiff at 38Kg which we have taken on a short trip, ONCE we got him on board from the tender. Used the mainsheet on the boom clipped on his lifejacket
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
You love your dog, good enough reason I suppose. Old Angus, bearded collie cross, was too old by the time we got the boat, but the current mutt, a Flat Coat Retriever is water mad. He ploughs along the flooded golf course with his snout in the water making a bow wave and jumps into any stream he is passing by. I am looking forward to him being on board this year.
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Good choice sir, I've an 11yr old flat coat who still thinks he's a puppy! Would never consider taking him on the boat it would just be absolute carnage :) good luck to you.

Mine is totally water daft as was my last one. Current one "Colin" failed his only ever exam when we were looking for new dog walkers. We warned them that he likes water and he's a big strong boy so you'd have thought the walker would have let go of the lead when he made a b-line for the river cart but no so in she went :)
 
Would need a bigger boat and smaller dog(s)

Love the idea of sailing with them, but just can't see how to fit four German Shepherds aboard a 26' Westerly Griffon with myself, my dad and (albeit only very occasionally) my wife.

In fact, haven't quite worked out how we could even lift one of the brutes aboard from the pontoon; getting one in or out from the tender boggles the imagination.
 
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