I'm thinking of getting a dog , any ideas as to which breed? I liveaboard and work out of my car, so they could go with me. I've been thinking of a lab but I'm concerned about the size. What do you think? Thank's ,Steve
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LaDonna Bubak - Catalina Owners
Schipperke!
Schipperkes are belgian boat dogs. They were bred for boat work, have long nails, loud bark, compact. I had a mixed breed (the other half was pom) and she was great. They have medium length black hair (not short like a lab but not long like a pom), very dinstinctive faces, are smallish but not irritatingly small and very loyal. The purebreds I've seen don't seem yippy at all (must have been the pom in my dog!) but have a decent bark. Great dogs! LaDonna
Schipperkes are belgian boat dogs. They were bred for boat work, have long nails, loud bark, compact. I had a mixed breed (the other half was pom) and she was great. They have medium length black hair (not short like a lab but not long like a pom), very dinstinctive faces, are smallish but not irritatingly small and very loyal. The purebreds I've seen don't seem yippy at all (must have been the pom in my dog!) but have a decent bark. Great dogs! LaDonna
Primary concern!
Steve: When we started looking for a dog the boat was one of our concerns. We decided that the dog MUST not shed. This eliminated a lot of dogs. The next thing was a dog that was big enough so it could make it up and down the companionway. Next was a dog that was easy to train. Anyway to make a long story shorter we ended up with a Schnauzer. We got a standard size (about 18" at the shoulder and 35lbs). Just so happens that she does not really care for the water (probably good). She jumps on and off the boat (only jump off on command). If we go to the shower, she will just stay aboard and watch everything that is going on. Really cannot say enough good about her. Excellent bladder control too.
Steve: When we started looking for a dog the boat was one of our concerns. We decided that the dog MUST not shed. This eliminated a lot of dogs. The next thing was a dog that was big enough so it could make it up and down the companionway. Next was a dog that was easy to train. Anyway to make a long story shorter we ended up with a Schnauzer. We got a standard size (about 18" at the shoulder and 35lbs). Just so happens that she does not really care for the water (probably good). She jumps on and off the boat (only jump off on command). If we go to the shower, she will just stay aboard and watch everything that is going on. Really cannot say enough good about her. Excellent bladder control too.
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Rob Rich
Mixed loves, difficult choices
We have a Catalina 27, and before her we took on a Labrador Retriever. She is our second, and any Lab owners out there will tell you that this breed makes for wonderful, intelligent and unbelievably loyal and loving creatures. However, having one aboard is another story. We love taking our lab out with us, but you are going to need to accept the fact that you will be cleaning more often. Also, you will need to plan on taking her to the potty 3 times each day minimum (once she is trained, more often in the interim). Not a problem on the dock, but a definite consideration at anchor. Labs need to be trained hard and thoroughly, and need to have tasks. If you can take the time to train the dog, as well as give her/him tasks, you will have one happy dog and a very happy master. If you fail to train the dog, or if you fail to give it tasks, the dog will get bored and chew holes in your hull. Trust me on this one. Hope this helps. There is no easy answer to your question, but these are tips that I can pass along to you through first-hand experience. If I were in your shoes, I would definitely get one, and take some time out of my schedule to train and task her. She will thank you for it, and eventually you will thank her. The benefits are immeasurable. Best of Luck, Rob Rich
We have a Catalina 27, and before her we took on a Labrador Retriever. She is our second, and any Lab owners out there will tell you that this breed makes for wonderful, intelligent and unbelievably loyal and loving creatures. However, having one aboard is another story. We love taking our lab out with us, but you are going to need to accept the fact that you will be cleaning more often. Also, you will need to plan on taking her to the potty 3 times each day minimum (once she is trained, more often in the interim). Not a problem on the dock, but a definite consideration at anchor. Labs need to be trained hard and thoroughly, and need to have tasks. If you can take the time to train the dog, as well as give her/him tasks, you will have one happy dog and a very happy master. If you fail to train the dog, or if you fail to give it tasks, the dog will get bored and chew holes in your hull. Trust me on this one. Hope this helps. There is no easy answer to your question, but these are tips that I can pass along to you through first-hand experience. If I were in your shoes, I would definitely get one, and take some time out of my schedule to train and task her. She will thank you for it, and eventually you will thank her. The benefits are immeasurable. Best of Luck, Rob Rich
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g
french dog
I have not had a dog on board but my Dad lived on board a 27' boat with his toy poodle. They are small intelligent dogs and seem to be just the right size, not too big and able to move about the boat without help. As a rule of thumb, stay away from Great Danes! wink wink!
I have not had a dog on board but my Dad lived on board a 27' boat with his toy poodle. They are small intelligent dogs and seem to be just the right size, not too big and able to move about the boat without help. As a rule of thumb, stay away from Great Danes! wink wink!
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Bob
Hot Dog
I prefer the Hot Dog - then if it gets really out of control, barks, poops on the deck, scratches the gelcost - I put it between a bun, and eat it !
I prefer the Hot Dog - then if it gets really out of control, barks, poops on the deck, scratches the gelcost - I put it between a bun, and eat it !
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Paul
Newfoundland/ lab mix
I had the dog before the boat but he works out perfectly. He's big enough to jump on and off the boat without being lifted, swims better then the boat does, his long coat keeps him warm no matter what cold wet weather BC throws at us. He's friendly to vistors, doesn't bark constantly like little dogs and he loves to go on boat rides. What more could you ask for? Paul Emley "TESS", #1433 1974, Dinnette, outboard Vancouver, B.C., Canada
I had the dog before the boat but he works out perfectly. He's big enough to jump on and off the boat without being lifted, swims better then the boat does, his long coat keeps him warm no matter what cold wet weather BC throws at us. He's friendly to vistors, doesn't bark constantly like little dogs and he loves to go on boat rides. What more could you ask for? Paul Emley "TESS", #1433 1974, Dinnette, outboard Vancouver, B.C., Canada
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Tom
Spaniel/retriever mix
We have a cocker spaniel/golden mix. A little bigger than a cocker, with the temperament of a golden. When people walk by on the dock and he's laying out ondeck, they think he's a golden puppy. What more could you want? Plan on getting a halter for the dog, boat dogs do well in halters. Easier to pick them up with that on the dog, like a suitcase. Also easy to pass him into/out of the dinghy with a halter.
We have a cocker spaniel/golden mix. A little bigger than a cocker, with the temperament of a golden. When people walk by on the dock and he's laying out ondeck, they think he's a golden puppy. What more could you want? Plan on getting a halter for the dog, boat dogs do well in halters. Easier to pick them up with that on the dog, like a suitcase. Also easy to pass him into/out of the dinghy with a halter.
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Bill Saint
Golden
I have a golden retreiver - 70 lbs. He loves being on the boat, floating on his rubber lounge tied off, or sailing along. I've never seen a dog take to the water (and water-way of life) as he has. Good luck - I would think a lab would be just as good. Don't worry about the size, our dog hunkers down into a fairly small spot in the cockpit and slides down from the seats to the floor as the boat heels over. He also makes a great guardian of the boat when away, as he keeps watch over the cockpit. Good luck and have fun!
I have a golden retreiver - 70 lbs. He loves being on the boat, floating on his rubber lounge tied off, or sailing along. I've never seen a dog take to the water (and water-way of life) as he has. Good luck - I would think a lab would be just as good. Don't worry about the size, our dog hunkers down into a fairly small spot in the cockpit and slides down from the seats to the floor as the boat heels over. He also makes a great guardian of the boat when away, as he keeps watch over the cockpit. Good luck and have fun!
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