cruising with bull dogs

[Valiente]

Originally Posted by dogsailors

I will probably have to write a book about traveling with dogs since NO ONE does it.

Good luck with that. I've owned boats and I've owned a bull terrier. The bull terrier never went on the boats, unless we were at dock, because he could barely swim and the pitch of the companionway was too steep. As you've made up your mind to cross the Atlantic with two bull terriers, I would suggest the need to solicit opinions no longer exists.

[Tartan34C]

http://www.sailcharbonneau.com/PetSail.htm
http://www.cruisingworld.com/article...=396&catID=569

And a book called Cruising With Your Four-Footed Friends by Diana Jessie
All the best,
Robert Gainer

[PBzeer]

I would hope you do some short term cruising before you commit to taking off to parts unknown and determine whether it is in your dogs best interest to accompany you. Some good points have been raised, specific to your breed. I would think it would be wise to find out if they hold true before making any final decisions.

[Giulietta]

Portugal, Spain France, the UK and other Countries now have strict 40 day quarantine for dogs. They will take them away from you at Customs.

If the dog's origin is not the EU you can't bring them without the 40 day quarantine, physically 40 days or more as per the Vet. In England its 40 days no matter where the dog originates from.

Also, dogs to enter the EU need all kinds of papers, etc.. children just need a passport. I have both, and only cruise with the children...believe me...

[SailorMitch]

I think Shackelton proved conclusively that having an emergency source of food is a good idea on a long cruise.

[pigslo]

We did try to leave our 12 year old at home on the last trip tp Mexico, but he managed to find us anyways. By the way pigslo

[tdw]

Originally Posted by SailorMitch

I think Shackelton proved conclusively that having an emergency source of food is a good idea on a long cruise.

You mean DogSailor as emergency rations for the bullies when they run out of Pal ?

Seriously , it cannot be a good idea to cruise long term with mutts. Much as I love 'em and did a fair amount of day sails and short term cruising with our former muttley, when she went the way of all mortal flesh I decided no more until we swallow the anchor. Far to many restrictions in far too many countries. To be honest , same goes for cats, and cats and boats go together a damn sight better than boats and dogs.

For the time you are just rockhopping then fine and dandy. You can sail all over America with barely a problem and not even need to spend too many nights at sea but a couple of weeks away from land ? Not fair on dog or human, methinks.

[pigslo]

You are right TDW. Cats are easier to cook and taste better!
pigslo

[camaraderie]

Dogsailors... many cruisers are out there with dogs. I knew one cruiser that had 5 of them (tiny yorkies). I can understand not wanting to leave your children behind but as noted above it is quite problematic in many places...and may not be in the best interest of the dogs health. Nevertheless, many cruisers do it.
Given your plans, I assume you are east coast based and you can certainly day hop there giving the pups a place to get off the boat and adjust to it.
The Bahamas can offer many months of cruising and are not too restrictive on dog entry (advance permit required) and again...offer land readily available for walking/exercise. You can judge from there how they will do on extended passages and may wish you modify your cruising plans accordingly. There are some tougher places in the Caribe to enter with pets...(BVI's are one as I recall) and sometimes you will need permits in advance of your visit so you need to be sure your dogs can withstand multiday passages at sea and full time living aboard and seasickness issues before going much further than the Bahamas.
Right now the best thing you can do is drop the hook somewhere and stay just on the boat with them for a few days and see how you both do. No trips ashore in the dinghy allowed. If you're all still happy after 4 or 5 days...maybe your plans are not unrealistic.
Good luck!

[camaraderie]

Pigs...of course the traditional ration was salt PORK!!