My wife and I are Labrador Retriever lovers and are wondering how other sailors are accomodating big dogs on board their sailboats. My back isn't what it used to be and hoisting a 90 pound hound on and off the boat and up/ down the companion way seems like a good way to enrichen the local chiropractor. Does anyone have suggestions or experience in this area. Many Thanks....Bruce
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
R
Rich
Walk through transom
We bought our boat with our big dog in mind. The dog weighs 75 lbs. We boat a Hunter with a walk-through transom. This gets the dog closer to the water and the dinghy for swim call and those important trips ashore. One problem we face is getting this Golden Retriever back aboard from the water (from the dink's not a problem.) She needs a boost on her butt when she's waterborne. This is interesting when the water's too deep to provide footing for the booster. A solution we're looking at is installing wide, wooden/plastic steps on the stern ladder. This'll give pup a chance at climbing aboard a bit more on her own. We love having her aboard. She is a constant companion in the cockpit...sometimes like to lay her head between wheel spokes...this is fine when we're steady on course. Smore interesting when a sudden tack is needed. Down below she sleeps on the sole on a blanket.
We bought our boat with our big dog in mind. The dog weighs 75 lbs. We boat a Hunter with a walk-through transom. This gets the dog closer to the water and the dinghy for swim call and those important trips ashore. One problem we face is getting this Golden Retriever back aboard from the water (from the dink's not a problem.) She needs a boost on her butt when she's waterborne. This is interesting when the water's too deep to provide footing for the booster. A solution we're looking at is installing wide, wooden/plastic steps on the stern ladder. This'll give pup a chance at climbing aboard a bit more on her own. We love having her aboard. She is a constant companion in the cockpit...sometimes like to lay her head between wheel spokes...this is fine when we're steady on course. Smore interesting when a sudden tack is needed. Down below she sleeps on the sole on a blanket.
B
Brian Pickton
Get a Cat
Nov.26,2000 Dear Bruce We have been there. When we bought the boat we had a 90 pound overly affectionate hound called Chester the Molester (no man’s leg was safe). We looked at and rejected boat after boat looking for one where he could accommodate the companionway. In hindsight the right boat for a big dog is a catamaran where climbing is minimal and boarding from a dinghy is eased by transom stairs. Bet you never thought of having a big dog was a reason to own a “cat”, did you? The four legged ones make me sneeze. If they are an older dog it can be extremely difficult for the dog to adjust to being on the boat, especially when underway. This frequently results in the dog refusing to defecate, leading to bowel obstructions, septiceimia and other problems. We know of one case where this happened where the dog was hospitalized and operated on to clear the obstruction. We know of several other cases where dogs were constipated after voyages and caused grave concern to their owners, until the problem “passed.” While at dock the dogs can get on and off easily, but messing the docks is a sure way to become unpopular with the neighbors and management. We know of more than one case where the mess was returned unceremoniously to the deck of the boat owner. When at anchor getting the dog in and out of the dinghy from a monohull is a real challenge. Dogs need to relieve themselves at least twice a day it seems. Four times a day, hoisting a 90 pound hound, and as they get older it doesn’t get easier. We looked at rigging a harness for our dog but because he developed disc problems we believed this would be a form of torture for our beloved pet. Our good old boy developed cancer and so was euthanized before the cancer destroyed him, so he didn’t make it on board The Legend. In hindsight we now believe that was for the best for the dog. Some of the conditions we sailed in were truly appalling. The dog would have been very upset by these conditions. Many countries in the Caribbean and elsewhere require you to leave your dog on board at all times or else he will be put in quarantine. Not being able to go for a run on the beach or accompany you ashore is a hardship on the dog. Ironically, in many countries we have visited cruiser’s dogs are in better condition than much of the local population. The dogs that do best on board are those that have been there since they were pups. Also smaller more agile dogs seem to do well, such as the Belgian barge dog, the Schipperke, terriers like the Jack Russell and Wheaton, and to my surprise. Lasa Apsos. Finally we have reluctantly concluded that dogs do not belong on boats, although many people cruise quite happily with their pets, and heaven knows we miss ours. They are not sea creatures, and so belong on the shore. People are simply too sentimental about their dogs (me included) to make an unhappy decision about the what is truly best for the animal’s welfare. If you absolutely must take your dog on board, my advice is get a cat. Life will be easier for both of you. Brian Pickton @ BeneteauOwners.net Aboard the Legend, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
Nov.26,2000 Dear Bruce We have been there. When we bought the boat we had a 90 pound overly affectionate hound called Chester the Molester (no man’s leg was safe). We looked at and rejected boat after boat looking for one where he could accommodate the companionway. In hindsight the right boat for a big dog is a catamaran where climbing is minimal and boarding from a dinghy is eased by transom stairs. Bet you never thought of having a big dog was a reason to own a “cat”, did you? The four legged ones make me sneeze. If they are an older dog it can be extremely difficult for the dog to adjust to being on the boat, especially when underway. This frequently results in the dog refusing to defecate, leading to bowel obstructions, septiceimia and other problems. We know of one case where this happened where the dog was hospitalized and operated on to clear the obstruction. We know of several other cases where dogs were constipated after voyages and caused grave concern to their owners, until the problem “passed.” While at dock the dogs can get on and off easily, but messing the docks is a sure way to become unpopular with the neighbors and management. We know of more than one case where the mess was returned unceremoniously to the deck of the boat owner. When at anchor getting the dog in and out of the dinghy from a monohull is a real challenge. Dogs need to relieve themselves at least twice a day it seems. Four times a day, hoisting a 90 pound hound, and as they get older it doesn’t get easier. We looked at rigging a harness for our dog but because he developed disc problems we believed this would be a form of torture for our beloved pet. Our good old boy developed cancer and so was euthanized before the cancer destroyed him, so he didn’t make it on board The Legend. In hindsight we now believe that was for the best for the dog. Some of the conditions we sailed in were truly appalling. The dog would have been very upset by these conditions. Many countries in the Caribbean and elsewhere require you to leave your dog on board at all times or else he will be put in quarantine. Not being able to go for a run on the beach or accompany you ashore is a hardship on the dog. Ironically, in many countries we have visited cruiser’s dogs are in better condition than much of the local population. The dogs that do best on board are those that have been there since they were pups. Also smaller more agile dogs seem to do well, such as the Belgian barge dog, the Schipperke, terriers like the Jack Russell and Wheaton, and to my surprise. Lasa Apsos. Finally we have reluctantly concluded that dogs do not belong on boats, although many people cruise quite happily with their pets, and heaven knows we miss ours. They are not sea creatures, and so belong on the shore. People are simply too sentimental about their dogs (me included) to make an unhappy decision about the what is truly best for the animal’s welfare. If you absolutely must take your dog on board, my advice is get a cat. Life will be easier for both of you. Brian Pickton @ BeneteauOwners.net Aboard the Legend, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
L
LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners
Harness
You should check out some of the harness systems out there. Look in the back of sailing mags - I've seen ads showing the dog being hoisted but can't recall which mag. Check the web too. I can appreciate Brian's comments but it sounds more like you're looking at day sailing/weekending as opposed to "cruising" for months at a time. Have fun with Fido! LaDonna
You should check out some of the harness systems out there. Look in the back of sailing mags - I've seen ads showing the dog being hoisted but can't recall which mag. Check the web too. I can appreciate Brian's comments but it sounds more like you're looking at day sailing/weekending as opposed to "cruising" for months at a time. Have fun with Fido! LaDonna
L
Lisa Woodburn
See responses on the forum archives..
Bruce, I asked a similar question a couple of months ago regarding my 75lb Catahoula Leopard (dog) and received some great responses. See the discussion forum archives #11-20. Haven't tried any of the ideas yet - the water's too cold now for swimming and that's what my dog loves to do.. A friend who trains shultzhunds (sp?) suggested, as you were thinking, to make wooden steps - especially wide enough on the bottom so the dog can pull himself out of the water steadily - that are bound together by chains so as to collapse to be stored in the boat when not in use. Of course some rubber tubing or similar would be needed around the chains & steps to protect the boat when the "dog-ladder" is hung over the side or transom. I may try to get one of these contraptions made by next spring, unless something similar shows up on the market. I'm afraid someone (most likely myself) will get hurt trying to put my dog on a harness! Good luck & let us know what works for your Lab's! Lisa
Bruce, I asked a similar question a couple of months ago regarding my 75lb Catahoula Leopard (dog) and received some great responses. See the discussion forum archives #11-20. Haven't tried any of the ideas yet - the water's too cold now for swimming and that's what my dog loves to do.. A friend who trains shultzhunds (sp?) suggested, as you were thinking, to make wooden steps - especially wide enough on the bottom so the dog can pull himself out of the water steadily - that are bound together by chains so as to collapse to be stored in the boat when not in use. Of course some rubber tubing or similar would be needed around the chains & steps to protect the boat when the "dog-ladder" is hung over the side or transom. I may try to get one of these contraptions made by next spring, unless something similar shows up on the market. I'm afraid someone (most likely myself) will get hurt trying to put my dog on a harness! Good luck & let us know what works for your Lab's! Lisa
B
Bob
Inflatable
We've had good luck with our inflatable tied alongside. Our 60lb dog can jump into the inflatable by herself and can jump from the inflatable to the boat with a helpful shove from below. From the water to the inflatable isn't too hard. It's a lot simpler than hoisting with a harness. Another thing we found is that she had difficulty negotiating the companionway ladder so we use the dinette seat back cushion as a ramp from the companionway across the top of the galley countertop.
We've had good luck with our inflatable tied alongside. Our 60lb dog can jump into the inflatable by herself and can jump from the inflatable to the boat with a helpful shove from below. From the water to the inflatable isn't too hard. It's a lot simpler than hoisting with a harness. Another thing we found is that she had difficulty negotiating the companionway ladder so we use the dinette seat back cushion as a ramp from the companionway across the top of the galley countertop.
D
Don
J
Jennifer DeBruhl
Our Chessie Goes
We have 75 lb. Chesapeake Bay Retriever, now 11 mos. old. She's been sailing with us since she was a little pup. I'll admit that it has become more challenging as she's grown. However, the more time she spends on the boat, the more she learns how to get around on her own. She's truly a member of the family and we couldn't imagine sailing without her. S/V What Ever, Catalina 25 #2065
We have 75 lb. Chesapeake Bay Retriever, now 11 mos. old. She's been sailing with us since she was a little pup. I'll admit that it has become more challenging as she's grown. However, the more time she spends on the boat, the more she learns how to get around on her own. She's truly a member of the family and we couldn't imagine sailing without her. S/V What Ever, Catalina 25 #2065
- Status
- Not open for further replies.