Dogs onboard
- Thread starter kandk
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Dogs can be great to have aboard but if they aren't happy they will make your life miserable. We always sail with out two dogs and on the boat is where they are happiest. Besides the obvious...wet dogs in a relatively small space problem the two other things that can be a challenge (maybe not) are getting enough exercise to keep dogs from getting mischievous and chewing and walking the dogs. We have a Portuguese water dog and a Silky Terrier and both love the boat. One still doesn't like to do her biz on the boat and we need to dingy ashore a couple times a day to keep her happy. she is happier when she can swim ashore and walk herself. One thing you may want to do is net the rails. Under sail both our dogs are fearless and will lay down on the bow to watch the water rushing by. Not good for my nerves so the net went up. We have a dingy on davits...numerous times I've looked behind me (It's a center cockpit) only to see the little dog walking around the top of the tubes of the dingy while we're sailing....another Oh $#&* moment. But most of the time it's a pleasure to have them aboard. Did I mention wet dogs are no fun after midnight. Did I mention rail netting?
Good luck!
Good luck!
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is a maine coon mix cat......i dont need to walkhim, i can keep him on a leash--he doesnt mind, and will walk on leash, fetch, catch, come to momma when called....and doesnt poo the deck.
he also catches invaders and renders death sentence, and is excellent at watching and warning. warns well.....doesnt like people much. good silent alarm.
he also catches invaders and renders death sentence, and is excellent at watching and warning. warns well.....doesnt like people much. good silent alarm.
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KandK,
Dogs adapt to boats very well. We have been sailing with our Aussie mix for 6 years and she loves it. A friend has a boxer that he sails with on a Cape Cod Catboat. His dog loves it too.
Summer on the bow of Splash – 2009
For some general information, I recommend <a href=http://svsmitty.wordpress.com/>my blog</a>. I did a post titled <a href=http://svsmitty.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/sailingcruising-with-a-dog/>Sailing/Cruising with a Dogs</a> g last month. This is mainly a summary of the information I have found and some of our different experiences. Also, there is a blog called the <a href=http://themonkeysfist.blogspot.com/>Monkey's Fist</a>, which is actually a collection of blogs on various topics from people who cruise or are planning to cruise. They have a topic under development about cruising with dogs. There's a lot of good info there as well.
Good Luck and Fair Winds,
Jesse
Dogs adapt to boats very well. We have been sailing with our Aussie mix for 6 years and she loves it. A friend has a boxer that he sails with on a Cape Cod Catboat. His dog loves it too.
For some general information, I recommend <a href=http://svsmitty.wordpress.com/>my blog</a>. I did a post titled <a href=http://svsmitty.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/sailingcruising-with-a-dog/>Sailing/Cruising with a Dogs</a> g last month. This is mainly a summary of the information I have found and some of our different experiences. Also, there is a blog called the <a href=http://themonkeysfist.blogspot.com/>Monkey's Fist</a>, which is actually a collection of blogs on various topics from people who cruise or are planning to cruise. They have a topic under development about cruising with dogs. There's a lot of good info there as well.
Good Luck and Fair Winds,
Jesse
Tale of 3 saildogs
My first ever dog was a springer spaniel rescue of unknown age/origin, adopted to be a watchdog at home. His first 30 seconds he dashed to my boat and jumped aboard, ignoring lifelines/difference in height between deck and dock. He sat at the helm like he'd finally found the home he had lost. Loved sailing, didn't know how to swim until I taught him to doggy paddle in the pool first, after an almost drowning incident. He was always reluctant to disembark, unless it was to jump down into the dinghy for a ride. While sailing any distance, he ran from gatelock port to bow to gatelock starboard to bow nonstop. Must have covered miles and miles at sea, in any conditions whatever He barked directions to most passing boats, and was an excellent watchdog. (Could be a problem in close anchorages.)
When he became aged and infirm, I adopted a six-year-old schnoodle who hated water. She trembled with heart pounding whenever I carried her onto the boat at the dock during the first week. I was ready to return her when one of my cats boarded the boat upon my return from a daysail with just the spaniel. The cat was relaxing per usual on deck when the schnoodle came onto the dock willingly and began whining expectantly. I lifted her onto the boat and she bit the cat in the belly then ran around the whole boat, leaping finally between me and the cat I was attempting to soothe. Jealousy cured her water phobia and she then became a saildog equal to the spaniel.
At age 13, the schnoodle almost died from a mystery infection; as she continued living in a fragile state, I shopped for a replacement but hurriedly adopted a grown Belgian malinois mix. (Now too big for me to lift, which presents its own challenges.) The 20-pound schnoodle revived to boss the 60-pounder and teach him how to become an excellent saildog, and they both are great sailing companions, although the now almost 15-year-old has less enthusiasm as she is blind from cataracts.
Moral of the tale? Dogs are fun companions aboard, and worth the trouble and modifications for me. Go for the saildog!
I am a single-hander with a 6 and a half-foot draft in mostly 4-foot waters of Florida, forced to anchor far offshore. THe bigger dog does present a need for more dinghy rides to shore, which is impossible for an 8-foot portabote with a 2.0 hp outboard in any but light winds and seas. I am trying to find a way for him to swim off the boat for exercise and get back aboard by himself. All suggestions are welcome.
My first ever dog was a springer spaniel rescue of unknown age/origin, adopted to be a watchdog at home. His first 30 seconds he dashed to my boat and jumped aboard, ignoring lifelines/difference in height between deck and dock. He sat at the helm like he'd finally found the home he had lost. Loved sailing, didn't know how to swim until I taught him to doggy paddle in the pool first, after an almost drowning incident. He was always reluctant to disembark, unless it was to jump down into the dinghy for a ride. While sailing any distance, he ran from gatelock port to bow to gatelock starboard to bow nonstop. Must have covered miles and miles at sea, in any conditions whatever He barked directions to most passing boats, and was an excellent watchdog. (Could be a problem in close anchorages.)
When he became aged and infirm, I adopted a six-year-old schnoodle who hated water. She trembled with heart pounding whenever I carried her onto the boat at the dock during the first week. I was ready to return her when one of my cats boarded the boat upon my return from a daysail with just the spaniel. The cat was relaxing per usual on deck when the schnoodle came onto the dock willingly and began whining expectantly. I lifted her onto the boat and she bit the cat in the belly then ran around the whole boat, leaping finally between me and the cat I was attempting to soothe. Jealousy cured her water phobia and she then became a saildog equal to the spaniel.
At age 13, the schnoodle almost died from a mystery infection; as she continued living in a fragile state, I shopped for a replacement but hurriedly adopted a grown Belgian malinois mix. (Now too big for me to lift, which presents its own challenges.) The 20-pound schnoodle revived to boss the 60-pounder and teach him how to become an excellent saildog, and they both are great sailing companions, although the now almost 15-year-old has less enthusiasm as she is blind from cataracts.
Moral of the tale? Dogs are fun companions aboard, and worth the trouble and modifications for me. Go for the saildog!
I am a single-hander with a 6 and a half-foot draft in mostly 4-foot waters of Florida, forced to anchor far offshore. THe bigger dog does present a need for more dinghy rides to shore, which is impossible for an 8-foot portabote with a 2.0 hp outboard in any but light winds and seas. I am trying to find a way for him to swim off the boat for exercise and get back aboard by himself. All suggestions are welcome.
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It's not the breed, it's the dog's temperment. I had several people tell me a Dalmatian would be trouble in a boat. Not this one... She's gone now, sadly, but she loved to sail and she would even ride in our canoe without any trouble. I say you'll never know unless you try. Best of luck and enjoy.
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Before I even considered a particular breed, I would take a compatibility test to make sure that the dog's personality is a match for you. This is one such test....http://dogtime.com/quiz/dog-breed-selector. It gives you a list of dogs that are a match for you and your needs.
Personally, I would choose a dog that has natural swimming ability. I always try to plan on the worst case scenario. A dog going overboard off-shore is NOT good. A breed that swims well will give you time to figure out how to get them back onboard. Boxers, Dobermans, Rottweilers, and Pitt Bulls are extremely muscular and typically have very little body fat if they are kept in proper condition. Their swimming ability is marginal at best, so you may end up watching your best friend drown before you can recover him.
A lighter dog is also desirable as you will probably end up lifting them back onboard. We used to have a large lab that loved the water, but I would have had a real challenge if I ever had to lift him out of the water. We now have an Australian Cattle Dog. He also loves the water and can swim for extended periods of time, but he weighs about 45 pounds (a little heavier when wet). ACD's are extremely high energy dogs, so exercise becomes an issue. When we are in our favorite cruising area (the North Channel of Lake Huron) we hike the remote islands together and he loves every moment!!
"Borrowing" a dog that already likes sailing is a good idea, especially if you can borrow it for a short cruise. You will gain knowledge of everything involved in having a dog onboard.
A walk through transom is ideal for taking the dog to shore in the dinghy. Also, a doggie PFD is needed if conditions get bad or your dog is one that likes to explore outside of the cockpit.
My boat used to have a stern input for shore water. It also has one in the bow, so the stern input was redundant. I converted that over to an aft wash down to rinse out the cockpit if "Scupper" does his duty there on longer days aboard.
Personally, I would choose a dog that has natural swimming ability. I always try to plan on the worst case scenario. A dog going overboard off-shore is NOT good. A breed that swims well will give you time to figure out how to get them back onboard. Boxers, Dobermans, Rottweilers, and Pitt Bulls are extremely muscular and typically have very little body fat if they are kept in proper condition. Their swimming ability is marginal at best, so you may end up watching your best friend drown before you can recover him.
A lighter dog is also desirable as you will probably end up lifting them back onboard. We used to have a large lab that loved the water, but I would have had a real challenge if I ever had to lift him out of the water. We now have an Australian Cattle Dog. He also loves the water and can swim for extended periods of time, but he weighs about 45 pounds (a little heavier when wet). ACD's are extremely high energy dogs, so exercise becomes an issue. When we are in our favorite cruising area (the North Channel of Lake Huron) we hike the remote islands together and he loves every moment!!
"Borrowing" a dog that already likes sailing is a good idea, especially if you can borrow it for a short cruise. You will gain knowledge of everything involved in having a dog onboard.
A walk through transom is ideal for taking the dog to shore in the dinghy. Also, a doggie PFD is needed if conditions get bad or your dog is one that likes to explore outside of the cockpit.
My boat used to have a stern input for shore water. It also has one in the bow, so the stern input was redundant. I converted that over to an aft wash down to rinse out the cockpit if "Scupper" does his duty there on longer days aboard.
We have 3 King Charles, and a Irish Red settler. The youngest King Charles has been on the boat since she was 6 wks old, loves it. Her 2 brothers likes it, but ready to get off when coming into port , which she is not, wants to stay on all the time. The settler he did not get on till he was 8 yrs old,to big to go up and down, but loves to sit on the bow and watch. No they are not all on at the same time. That would be like having my 13 grandkids on it all at the same time.
One other thing I forgot to mention, the doggie PFD should have a handle above his back so you can quickly grab it and lift your dog out of the water.
We had a dog on our circumnavigation and she made a great boat protector when we were not onboard. I took a square yard of asrto-turf and ringed it with a rope so it could be thrown overboard to clean it; the dog would rather do her business on her "little piece of grass" rather than go ashore!
We have no pets onboard at the moment, and though my lady would love nothing more than a warm & furry or two aboard, it has become such a legal hassle for those who cruise internationally, we just can not see getting one now.
We have no pets onboard at the moment, and though my lady would love nothing more than a warm & furry or two aboard, it has become such a legal hassle for those who cruise internationally, we just can not see getting one now.
Have sailed with 3 different dogs on board over the past 12 years or so ---currently cruising west coast of Mexico for four months with our 5 year old Brittany Spaniel and have done 3-4 day non-stop passages with her and our previous dogs with no problems
I won't go into the numerous benefits of having a dog-on-board (introduction to others, exercise, company, good-will ambassador etc) which in our case makes it all worthwhile--so for us we'd say YES DO IT
HERE'S HOW WE DO IT:
1. Artificial grass pee tray--about a week before we set off we take patch of artificial grass to nearby customary pee location on land and have her use it first thing in morning and each trip outside or off boat before we leave--by the time we leave she will use it on board ---I refuse to be a slave to the 3 time rowing ashore for the dog each day
2. LIFELINE NETTING and Gate Closure--highly advisable
3. DOG HARNESS with JACK-LINES--to keep dog on the boat, dog is clipped in (just as we are) on offshore passages with short tether attached to body harness on dog and other end secured to ring run thru side-deck jack-lines --when time for her to do her 'business' we just say 'go pee' and she heads up the side-decks to pee tray on forward deck to do her business---also on reasonable weather she can roam up the boat when underway securely clipped on ---am not a believer in doggie life-jackets cuz dogs can swim and think how difficult it would be to retrieve a dog-overboard
4. ROUGH WEATHER: give the dog a secure, closed-in, SMALL place to sleep or rest in rough weather where she won't be thrown around --for us it is in the back, deep inside of the aft berth, surrounded by some pillows
5.WATER DISH:you must keep your dog hydrated --use a no-spill water dish (eg: 'Water-hole")
6.BREED AND AGE: suggest you get a breed that is water-comfortable (spaniel, retrievers, etc) and size appropriate to the size of your boat--obviously a pup will be easier to train but you can do it with an older dog; as for energy level of the breed our Brit gets lots of exercise when on shore (ball, frisbee etc) and is NOT bored on passages as she sits on the cabin-top watching the world go by
6. STAY CALM: the dog will pick-up your vibes-if you worry and fuss over the dog then it will be nervous and worried--so in a storm stay calm; as an example when the Admiral is stressed the dog is too--when I am off-watch and go below to sleep the pooch goes down and sleeps beside me with no problem
7.SOME NEGATIVES: crossing borders musty satisfy local vet requirements (shots up to date, vet certificate etc); some marinas have restrictions on where you can go--so go to another marina; clean-up--yes --pick-up after your dog; on-board just rinse pee mat in the ocean; some cultures and people fear or do not enjoy dogs --so need to be aware and control or leash your dog; if want to do on-land tours may be restricted as can't bring pooch on buses, in some hotels, on tours etc
Anyhow having a dog-on-board is some extra work--just as having guests or kids on board --but for us it is all worth it
Hope that helps
John
s/v Mopion
Gozzard 36
I won't go into the numerous benefits of having a dog-on-board (introduction to others, exercise, company, good-will ambassador etc) which in our case makes it all worthwhile--so for us we'd say YES DO IT
HERE'S HOW WE DO IT:
1. Artificial grass pee tray--about a week before we set off we take patch of artificial grass to nearby customary pee location on land and have her use it first thing in morning and each trip outside or off boat before we leave--by the time we leave she will use it on board ---I refuse to be a slave to the 3 time rowing ashore for the dog each day
2. LIFELINE NETTING and Gate Closure--highly advisable
3. DOG HARNESS with JACK-LINES--to keep dog on the boat, dog is clipped in (just as we are) on offshore passages with short tether attached to body harness on dog and other end secured to ring run thru side-deck jack-lines --when time for her to do her 'business' we just say 'go pee' and she heads up the side-decks to pee tray on forward deck to do her business---also on reasonable weather she can roam up the boat when underway securely clipped on ---am not a believer in doggie life-jackets cuz dogs can swim and think how difficult it would be to retrieve a dog-overboard
4. ROUGH WEATHER: give the dog a secure, closed-in, SMALL place to sleep or rest in rough weather where she won't be thrown around --for us it is in the back, deep inside of the aft berth, surrounded by some pillows
5.WATER DISH:you must keep your dog hydrated --use a no-spill water dish (eg: 'Water-hole")
6.BREED AND AGE: suggest you get a breed that is water-comfortable (spaniel, retrievers, etc) and size appropriate to the size of your boat--obviously a pup will be easier to train but you can do it with an older dog; as for energy level of the breed our Brit gets lots of exercise when on shore (ball, frisbee etc) and is NOT bored on passages as she sits on the cabin-top watching the world go by
6. STAY CALM: the dog will pick-up your vibes-if you worry and fuss over the dog then it will be nervous and worried--so in a storm stay calm; as an example when the Admiral is stressed the dog is too--when I am off-watch and go below to sleep the pooch goes down and sleeps beside me with no problem
7.SOME NEGATIVES: crossing borders musty satisfy local vet requirements (shots up to date, vet certificate etc); some marinas have restrictions on where you can go--so go to another marina; clean-up--yes --pick-up after your dog; on-board just rinse pee mat in the ocean; some cultures and people fear or do not enjoy dogs --so need to be aware and control or leash your dog; if want to do on-land tours may be restricted as can't bring pooch on buses, in some hotels, on tours etc
Anyhow having a dog-on-board is some extra work--just as having guests or kids on board --but for us it is all worth it
Hope that helps
John
s/v Mopion
Gozzard 36
Miss Daisy is a Queensland Blue Heeler... Hates the water but loves her Boat... she will not go on the boat... but she will tell you when she has to go and wait till we dock... she weighs 6o lbs... stays on deck except when very hot or raining... she has her duty station when casting off or docking and goes to it without being told... highly intelligent. We love having her on board our Cherubini 33 sloop SeaDora and she loves being there.
Rod h
Rod h
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Boxer on Board !
I use to take my Shelties with me all the time, and they were pretty cool with it. But a Boxer maybe a different story. As mentioned, in other notes here, they are a high energy breed ...................... you may be fishing him / her out of the water alot !! But one thing I do know about a Boxer; many times they have sensitive skin, so sun burn maybe a problem. I would check with your vet, or even a breeder, to get opinions, before you invest in a new family member. Remember what they say, in the dog world, always research the breeds so you find the right one to fit into your life style, so you don't whind up with a dog that doesn't fit and you have to surrender him to a rescue or shelter. Or, go to a rescue or shelter to find one that maybe didn't fit for someone else's life, but would sure love to go sailing !!
I use to take my Shelties with me all the time, and they were pretty cool with it. But a Boxer maybe a different story. As mentioned, in other notes here, they are a high energy breed ...................... you may be fishing him / her out of the water alot !! But one thing I do know about a Boxer; many times they have sensitive skin, so sun burn maybe a problem. I would check with your vet, or even a breeder, to get opinions, before you invest in a new family member. Remember what they say, in the dog world, always research the breeds so you find the right one to fit into your life style, so you don't whind up with a dog that doesn't fit and you have to surrender him to a rescue or shelter. Or, go to a rescue or shelter to find one that maybe didn't fit for someone else's life, but would sure love to go sailing !!
Boxer on Board ! Page 2
I should add one major thing I did learn about taking my Shelties with me sailing .............. always put a halter collar on them. I had one fall in, a time or two, and you can break their neck in trying to get a heavy, wet dog out of the water. A life jacket is the best, but a halter collar is a must !
I should add one major thing I did learn about taking my Shelties with me sailing .............. always put a halter collar on them. I had one fall in, a time or two, and you can break their neck in trying to get a heavy, wet dog out of the water. A life jacket is the best, but a halter collar is a must !
I agree that all dogs are different, the way they are introduced to sailing makes a big difference. However, there ARE inbred traits and abilities. The boxers I have been around can't swim worth a hoot and have been nervous boat dogs.
We opted for a small Maltipoo pooch, and he's become a great boat dog. He loves to swim, but he grew up on the dock with a golden as his big sister, and with his PFD on you can hook the loop with a boat hook and pull him about of the water. He's small and can move about the boat easily. He doesn't shed ... a bigger deal on a boat than many might think. However, he won't do his thing on the boat, so there needs to be several trips ashore each day. I think the comment that it's a lot like having a kid along is pretty accurate.
BTW, the dock is his favorite place (he thinks he owns the place), and sometimes we have to carry him off when we leave.
Jeff
Con Brio C-36
We opted for a small Maltipoo pooch, and he's become a great boat dog. He loves to swim, but he grew up on the dock with a golden as his big sister, and with his PFD on you can hook the loop with a boat hook and pull him about of the water. He's small and can move about the boat easily. He doesn't shed ... a bigger deal on a boat than many might think. However, he won't do his thing on the boat, so there needs to be several trips ashore each day. I think the comment that it's a lot like having a kid along is pretty accurate.
BTW, the dock is his favorite place (he thinks he owns the place), and sometimes we have to carry him off when we leave.
Jeff
Con Brio C-36
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I have a female Boxer and she loves the boat. This will be my first season with a Sailboat but she has always loved motor boats. I'm sure she will love the sailboat.
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