Recommend me a good boat dog?

[xyachtdave]

Daughter Freya has ramped up the pressure to get a dog.....

Ideally I want one that doesn't do poo's or wee's but realise that's a rare beast.

I know Newfoundland's like water but would like something that doesn't need its own cabin!

Anyone with dog boat experience please advise on any potential pitfalls of taking a dog sailing.

 

[chubby]

My daughter has a rehomed ex pack beagle that goes well on the boat, quiet, calm, small, not yappy

 

[sarabande]

Don't go for a Rough Collie - too much fur in the bilges. Or a Husky - much too much fur in the bilges .

 

[PhillM]

We have 2 Alsatians, sorry German Shepherds.

Don't even think about it. I sail, they stay at home (with a sitter or 2).

 

[xyachtdave]

I've just been sent this.....

I'm going to end up rowing this ashore to use the facilities - more manly dog suggestions welcomed!

 

[chanelyacht]

Schipperke - Belgian barge dog. Perfect size, bred to live on the old commercial barges of Belgium and Holland. Nice temperament as well.



http://schipperkes.co.uk/

 

[pmagowan]

We have an Irish Kerry Blue terrier. It likes the boat, is medium sized and doesn't moult. Ours is very docile although some can be a bit terse.

 

[Ripster]

Going on what I have seen, the Jack Russell seems very popular on boats - nice and small, can be a bit yappy though. Or the good ol black labs - bit bigger and more manly. You see a fair few on boats. We tried our cockerpoo when we had her, they don't lose their fur and are not too big, but she hated it - stressed her out when we sailed - so she went to live my daughter!

 

[jimi]

Our springer spaniel pup! Her older brother was good on the boat this year!

 

[xyachtdave]

Our springer spaniel pup! Her older brother was good on the boat this year!

That doesn't look too shabby!

I asked Freya to pick up a dog poo in the street recently as practice for potential dog ownership, unfortunately she passed this test!

Apparently it's going to be called Mr Lemon. It had better like water or there could be trouble ahead!

 

[catalac08]

Anything small enough to lift/help out of a tender onto the boat and that does not moult as the bilges get full of hair. Yorkies or similar are good and it is important to train them to go on the foredeck or sterndeck as taking them ashore on a dark stormy night from an anchorage is unpleasant and potentially dangerous.

 

[RUSSH]

+1 for a Jack Russell. Clues in the name Jack! Sadley this ones crossed the bar after 14 seafaring years.

 

[xyachtdave]

+1 for a Jack Russell. Clues in the name Jack! Sadley this ones crossed the bar after 14 seafaring years.

Sorry to hear he's passed away. He looks ideal standing on the tubes of the tender.

 

[[2574]]

We are dog lovers and have had a collie and a retriever in years gone by but now we have a fabric covered stuffed bassett lookalike which is designed as a door stop. It is a fantastic boat dog and has the qualities which you seek in your first post above! It is the only boat dog I'd have, maybe when we give up salt water and do the inland waterways we will have a proper one gain, until then I like the stuffed toy!

 

[SpottyDog5]

Perfect boat dog, get a Ridgeback, you won't regret it.

 

[RobinBirch]

We recently lost our West Highland Terrier - loved being on the boat, not yappy, they dont moult and are small enough to tuck under your arm when crossing over guard rails etc. What's not to like?

 

[dslittle]

Anything small enough to lift/help out of a tender onto the boat and that does not moult as the bilges get full of hair. Yorkies or similar are good and it is important to train them to go on the foredeck or sterndeck as taking them ashore on a dark stormy night from an anchorage is unpleasant and potentially dangerous.

Today we have just got our new boat dog - a Spanish Water Dog. All of the above apply, in theory the perfect boat dog... Will have her on board by the end of the week and hopefully settled in soon. Can't wait...

 

[jordanbasset]

Today we have just got our new boat dog - a Spanish Water Dog. All of the above apply, in theory the perfect boat dog... Will have her on board by the end of the week and hopefully settled in soon. Can't wait...

Some one had one of those on a boat when we were up the River Guardiana. Brilliant dog, owner used to take it out in the dinghy, throw a stick overboard, dog would jump off to catch it, then the chap would whizz back to his boat as fast as possible to try and beat the dog back. Seemed an ideal way of exercising it.

 

[Uricanejack]

When I was young I used to crew for my uncle. My uncle had a black lab. Who loved the boat, the pub and just generally being around. A nice friendly dog. Great for the boat, if you didn’t mind the occasional dog overboard drill. She didn’t like it rough I think she felt a bit sea sick
Draw back. Hair every where, a bit of slobber. And I eventually figured out I am allergic to dogs. Particularly hairy ones which shed.

Dogs are basically a pain in the ass. However I don‘t have a say in the matter.

Today my most enthusiastic crewmember who spends all day on deck in the rain with me while the rest of my family complain and go bellow. Is a big black hairy Cross between a Standard Poodle and a Golden Retriever.

They are fashionable but she is a really nice friendly dog.
She needs to be walked in the morning before we go sailing and in the evening when we are done sailing.
Which is ok I find most of my crew have the same requirements.

My wife’s sister owns her dad. A Standard Poodle he likes the boat to. Also great if you have allergies neither dog sheds even having both on board doesn’t bother me.

 

[ronsurf]

A bearded collie if you don't want any hair. I'd go for a Cairn Terrier - small, unfussy independent dogs. You certainly won't have any trouble with mice...