Good Boating Dog?

[Still LauCo]

We are looking to get a new pet. We have a four year old and a 6 year old.

We are looking for a smaller/medium size dog. Right now, we are interested in Beagles, Pocket Beagles, and Puggles.

I don't know why, but that is what has peaked our interest thus far. I know we don't want a long haired dog.

I was wondering if anyone has experience with these breeds, or could recommend another breed to investigate.
Thanks!

 

[ghuskin]

not to turn you away from beagles, but they can be very vocal (to the point of being annoying).

Before your decision to buy, go to the local library (you know where they are) and read up on the good, bad, ugly of any breed you are considering.

Gregg

 

[mrsrobinson]

not to turn you away from beagles, but they can be very vocal (to the point of being annoying).

Before your decision to buy, go to the local library (you know where they are) and read up on the good, bad, ugly of any breed you are considering.

Gregg

+1, I wish everyone would do this before they get a pet. They are a big responsibility.

We have had pure breed dogs and Heinz 57 specials from the pound or strays. We currently are down to 1 dog (3 past away recently) and she is a wonderful boat dog. We think she is a mix between a beagle and and a German Short Hair Pointer. She is 25 lbs,which is the perfect size for a boat. She is quiet and only howls when we leave her on the boat by herself, but she stops after a few minutes.

She does shed, so we have little black hairs all over the boat, which I hate and complain about, but it's worth it. Nothing a vacuum/rag will not take care of.

She makes a great 2nd mate too:

 

[KeithD]

I would find a dog that urinates gasoline.
Barring that, go to the pound and find a good mid-sized mutt with a good temperment.
That's our plan; we have a four-year old and a six-year old, and we'll add the canine after boating season is done.
Good luck.

 

[Four Suns]

Golden Retrievers, black and yellow labs tend to do pretty well also, as long as they don't get fat.

You saying my dogs are fat and lazy?

I'm not sure what you mean by "good boat dog". If you want them to like water and swim, certain breeds like labs and retrievers won't stay out of the water and will be your best friend at the beach and on the swim platform. We used to have huskies (great looking dogs) but they hated the water and were the most independent dogs I've ever seen... like cats.

I would go research the breed or mix of breeds on the Internet/library (as previously suggested) and see how receptive they are to kids and water before I got one... that stuff is generally true. With young kids, you don't want a snippy breed as the kids *will* lay on them, pull tails, take bones away, etc. Dogs like labs and retrievers handle that better than most breeds...

And if you have any dignity, do not get a "Golden Doodle"...

 

[tawcat]

If you want a medium sized boat dog with a great temperment, check out a Boykin Spaniel. They are mottoed "the dog that won't rock the boat." Our guy Simon is so good on any size boat, finds a spot and stays there til it stops. Great fetcher and never tires. Webbed paws for swimming and did I mentioned a great temperment! Super with kids, other dogs etc. Sometimes a bit hyper, but heck we all are. Our guy lives with two adults, six cats, and a three next door neighbor little girls ages four to thirteen, he loves them all.

 

[mrsrobinson]

You saying my dogs are fat and lazy?

I'm not sure what you mean by "good boat dog". If you want them to like water and swim, certain breeds like labs and retrievers won't stay out of the water and will be your best friend at the beach and on the swim platform. We used to have huskies (great looking dogs) but they hated the water and were the most independent dogs I've ever seen... like cats.

I would go research the breed or mix of breeds on the Internet/library (as previously suggested) and see how receptive they are to kids and water before I got one... that stuff is generally true. With young kids, you don't want a snippy breed as the kids *will* lay on them, pull tails, take bones away, etc. Dogs like labs and retrievers handle that better than most breeds...

And if you have any dignity, do not get a "Golden Doodle"...

Damn Gary, you look a lot younger than I thought you would. Cool dogs too.

 

[Drama Queen]

I have three little dogs a chihuahua and two weiner dogs, they are horrible boat dogs, hate the water and can't sit still. I try to find a dog sitter when going to the boat, just FYI that is a PITA.

friends with other dogs that like water are the ones mentioned above, and they are great with the kids. One of the goldens let's the kids hang on to this life vest and takes them for rides as he swims. Not that he needs a life vest, but when he plays with the kids they put it on.

 

[dpvandy01]

Loved my first boxer for 11 1/2 years.. she hated to go for boat rides but was very well behaved on the dock and on the boat overnight. Just got this new girl and so far so good.. AKC website has a dog breed guide. It's very inportant to match the animals energy level to yours. If you are active then a more active breed will work. I keep my dog 'worn out" always... 1 hour walk in the morning and again in the evening plus play time fetching a ball or stick or frisbee. I'm a marathoner and so is my wife, our dog gets lots of exercise.:thumbsup:

 

[Four Suns]

Damn Gary, you look a lot younger than I thought you would.

Ah yes.... to be 16 years old again... I wouldn't do all the stupid things.. really...

 

[fwebster]

For smaller breeds, consider Boston Terriers........exceptionally clean, no hound dog odor, they don't shed (they will lose some hair, but they do not shed in seasons, tremendous dogs when kids are in the family. Bostons will play until your kids can't take anymore. Bostons age well too....they are active and playful for their first 14-15 years, then they are old for a year before you lose them. We've had them for years and all have been superb boat dogs. Mine are just as happy on the boat as at home. Bostons will swim, but they are not water dogs in that you don't have to keep them out of the water and very few will jump in without coaxing. Bostons can be a challenge in that they are curious and mischievious........if they see something they don't understand or is new to them, they'll go mess with it until they master the new thing, and sometimes that means you have to clean up the debris.

Bostons are truly low maintenance...no grooming, clip their nails once a month and they stay so clean that we don't worry about bathing ours during swimming season...they get the salt water washed off every day on the boat .....unless they get into something that smells. In the winter, a bath a month takes care of their needs.

 

[Four Suns]

......if they see something they don't understand or is new to them, they'll go mess with it until they master the new thing, and sometimes that means you have to clean up the debris.

You know what they say... dogs end up having the personality of their owner..

Is there such a dog breed that doesn't CHEW the first two years of their life?

 

[billandamy]

How unpopular would I be if I admitted I detest dogs of all breeds?
:huh:

I don't get the attraction.

 

[Four Suns]

You're a democrat.... aren't you?

 

[NorCal Boater]

We cruise with 2 Rhodesian Ridgebacks. We feel they are the perfect boating dog....for us!

Ridgebacks are warm, friendly and affectionate when we are on board with them. Otherwise they are protective and vocal. No strangers approach our boat without us knowing it.

They are not small. Both are about 85 pounds and we feel they are perfect boat dogs because they love the boat, love to lay in the sun but hate the water. Because they hate it, we don't have wet sloppy dogs on board.

Here is a couple of pics of Rika and Kona doing their thing.

Gary, I see your dogs, like mine, own the furniture.

 

[billandamy]

You're a democrat.... aren't you?

I am completely uninterested in politics in any way, shape or form. I am moderate for the most part when I am interested. I do not look at parties at all, just issues.

Our political system has turned to crap, and have lost faith in our two party system where we prop up lifetime politicians who know how to play a game for their own interests and do a less than a lackluster job of keeping our nation strong.

If not for the average person knowing better, we would REALLY be in a heap of crap.

Id be happy to discuss more about this and our outdated constitution in the holding tank

 

[BillyT0020]

Doberman Pinchers are the best dogs IMHO. You can train them to do anything they are super smart and they are loyal as can be. They love water and will just hang out on the boat with ya. I love Dobie's great dogs!
Billy

 

[billandamy]

Doberman Pinchers are the best dogs IMHO. You can train them to do anything they are super smart and they are loyal as can be. They love water and will just hang out on the boat with ya. I love Dobie's great dogs!
Billy

Until they maul your kid.:grin:

 

[Four Suns]

Id be happy to discuss more about this and our outdated constitution in the holding tank

Man... you don't like dogs... you don't like the constitution... you can "take or leave" boating....

You like apple pie?


Dobermans are great dogs. My sister always had one or two of them when their kids were young. The problem was they loved their kids... but hated any of the kid's friends. If you weren't part of their "pack", they pretty much growled and barked at you. Sorta like the diesel guys on CSR.

 

[JeffM]

And if you have any dignity, do not get a "Golden Doodle"...

Why do you say that :grin: ??? They have the personality of the Golden, the intelligence of the Poodle, their hair (not fur) is hypo-allergenic, and they don't shed. My wife is allergic to dogs, but she doesn't react to our 'Doodle. And we don't have dog hair everywhere. They're the perfect dog....

They are a fairly large dog, though, so ours does not come with us on the boat. There just isn't enough room for the four of us and him on our 260. Now when we get that 340....