What dog do I buy?

[victoraspey]

I hate dogs when one bit my ar** as a kid. I love cats (and catamarans). Sadly cat died and my kids (9yrs and 7 yrs) and SWMBO say they want a dog. My young manipulative daughter melted my heart with a big hug and made me say Ok to a dog. Now what? Is there a dog that likes travelling on boats so my sailing season is not ruined? Is there something that is easy, non smelling, obedient, does not leave hair everywhere and basically a cat in drag? Something medium sized that I can take the odd walk along the beach sounds OK I guess.

 

[benjenbav]

Could you not buy a cat and paint it to look like a dog?

 

[Whitelighter]

[ QUOTE ]
Could you not buy a cat and paint it to look like a dog?

[/ QUOTE ] /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Garryt]

Our female Chocolate Lab (Ellie) is grrrreat on the boat...hasn't chewed anything yet and loves the water!

Soft as a brush and very friendly with a loud bark when needed! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[muckypup]

Don't get a Golden Retriever then... They are smelly, hairy, mine hates the boat and one word from me and he does as he likes. They *are* good with children though!

S.

 

[Nautorius]

Get a Chocolate Labrador (Peddigree) they are just soo much fun (but needcwalking a lot). Sorry to here you have gone off cats..... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Cheers

Paul

 

[Brayman]

If you want a dog, sell the boat and buy a caravan. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[l'escargot]

Look at terriers, a Yorkie (one of the bigger working types as opposed to the miniature show ones) or a Border Terrier - they are cat size but certainly not cats in drag. Yorkies also have the advantage of not moulting and not generally inclined to leap into the sea at the first opportunity. Easy to lift in and out of dinghy as well.

 

[billskip]

I heard wispers about the dog I had, got rid of her after 3 weeks..(missed her cooking though)..... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

get a bitch they hold thier water longer and dont cock thier leg at all the upright bits as they sniff round the deck

 

[mainshiptom]

There is only one dog that I know which can fish !

 

[ShipsWoofy]

I would have imagined a water breed would be perfect, especially those that are not so clingy like labs.

I love my staffy, but he is a bit of a hindrance on the boat as he can't swim well and they as a breed want to be part of the family, it can be worrying leaving him alone on the boat. Luckily he is a very quiet dog so can fall asleep under my chair in a pub and no one notices him.

If I was choosing for the boat I may go for another staff as I adore them as a breed, but I may also look toward spaniels as they would seem all-round a good boat breed, they require lots of exercise though.

J

 

[Neddie_Seagoon]

Most dogs like water if brought up to it - so get a puppy, not a rescue dog. Yes, puppy = work, but worth it for the long term investment.

If you want friendly, good swimmer, good with kids, loyal, not too much grooming, not too much pong etc. etc. it's difficult to do much better than a working bred labrador. Don't get a show bred dog, generally too big & not as resilient. They are the most popular dog in UK & USA for good reason, and they love water.

Chocolate labs are for poofs. Get a black labrador!

Seriously, I have two aged black labs, SWMBO & I were discussing possible replacements last night and came to the conclusion that a brindle lurcher would be a good possible - one fast run on the beach each day and they'll basically sleep for the other 23 hours. Dunno how they are on the water tho', and not a good idea for a country dweller who walks among livestock. I'll probably wind up with another lab.

 

[sarabande]

at the risk of being very unpopular....

Have you really thought this through ? I mean the whole business of entering into a lifetime contract with another sentient mammal.

It's not just the list you have drawn up for the dog to accede to, but the overwhelming understanding of the whole family to consider:
regular food and drink,
regular exercise and reasonably frequent changes of scenary,
exposure to and companionship of other dogs, not just solitary confinement with a bunch of humans,
readiness for both parties to undergo training,
three figure vet bills,
holidays with the family, not solitary confinement in a wire cage while you are away.


If you can swear to provide that proper environment, then start with :

pedigree breed or GP mutt ?
If GP mutt, then an animal charity will match you and the dog, and you will have a chance to see different varieties in the company of people whoi are assessing you too.

If pedigree, then you will have the minefield of breeders and their unscrupulous sales techniques, and it's very difficult to back out when one of your angels goes all fubsy over the first bit of canine fur that trots into the room.

Lots of websites; try this for starters.
http://www.dogtrouble.com/VII/VII.html

I'd be very hesitant to recommend a breed to you as I have no idea what your circumstances are, and what your family is prepared to commit to.

It is very easy to open the door to a new dog, but the important word is family. He (don't get a bitch with loads of females in the house otherwise it's puppies for the next 10 years too) needs that word put in front of "dog" from day 1 till the last one - and you will have read here the effects that loss of a dog has can have on otherwise really strong people.

 

[Nauti Fox]

You need an Albert.

He's been brilliant, cuddles up like a cat, doesn't leave hair everywhere, never ever chews any of the boat and has only fallen in three times.
Had my doubts when we first got him, but no more.
Really tough little bugger as well, he had a broken jaw and the only reason we realised there was something wrong was because he took a bit longer to eat his dinner.
And when he's a bit tidier.

 

[Allan]

Please, please, please don't 'buy' one!! Go down the local RSPCA or dogs home. They have some lovely ones and a hienz 57 is normally healthier.
Allan
PS Small ones are OK but not much use if you run out of food!

 

[sarabande]

"not much use if you run out of food! "

You need a Chow then, or anything if you are a Korean.

 

[FAITIRA]

Don,t "buy" any dog, go to the local pound and take a homeless animal, there are so many, it,s disgusting that people, who call themselves animal lovers will ignore these and spend hundreds on a status symbol supporting many unscrupulous animal breeders.
I have had 3 terrier "type" dogs aboard and they were an all round success. Bill

 

[misterg]

[ QUOTE ]
... I may also look toward spaniels as they would seem all-round a good boat breed, they require lots of exercise though.

[/ QUOTE ]

We have a Springer, and the trouble is she likes the water too much. No, she LOVES the water and you can't keep her out of it. She is completely fearless - she has swum half way across the Menai Straits (near Menai Bridge) following the tender, and showed no signs of giving up (so we picked her out!), she has swum from the shore out to where the boat was moored, she swum around Llyn Idwal in January, breaking the ice a she went. She literally shakes with anticipation at the sight of open water, or the smell of the seaside.

She has been in the tender (rubber duck) but we have to hold onto her as she strains to be loose, shaking all the time. We haven't tried taking her for a trip on the boat, because we simply don't expect her to stay on it without tying her up, which wouldn't be fair /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

She's shaping up OK as a working dog, though, and is excellent with the kids.

You're right about the exercise - luckily we have both woodland and beaches nearby where we take her for a blast at least once a day, usually twice.

Andy

 

[Neddie_Seagoon]

Endorse the sentiments about getting rescue dogs, and I've had three, all long term, and very much loved. All had problems, all wound up in the rescue centre because of owner abuse in one way or another, and all were not reliable - I wouldn't trust them unsupervised with kids or strangers. I wouldn't inflict one on young children without knowing EXACTLY why they needed rehoming. The poster is looking for a dog to be in part a kids pet.

 

[victoraspey]

I dont like the sound of the 3 figure vet bills. Dont like the thought that I have got to be trained. Have I thought it through - answer no. I got mugged by a puppy eyed daughter and need help. SWMBO had a dog once so I guess she thinks its OK. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Now back to the cat thread far more interesting.