Better dog breeds for sailing

[ArgleBargle]

I was going to get a monkey and teach it how to steer, but we fixed our autopilot, so no need.

Now we're thinking of getting a dog. Anyone have any opinions on particular breeds that are more suited for sailing?

[badsanta]

Get one that will swim to shore , do his business and swim back with no help.

[pmoreira]

You might want to look at these:

Portuguese Water Dog - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[HerbDB]

This is my Miniature Australian Shepherd, Nate. He made the trip from Annapolis to the Bahamas and back with us. We trained him to use a mat called a "Pup Head" and did not have to transport him to shore for business.

Whatever you pick needs to be big enough to get up and down the companionway by itself or small enough to lift. Nate negotiated the companionway and could get out of a dingy and onboard by himself if we held the dingy against the boarding platform.

He loved the trip. Nate's mother just had another litter, you can see the pups at Welcome and thanks for visiting Great Companions and a picture diary of our trip is at Split Decision

[Bene505]

Originally Posted by HerbDB

This is my Miniature Australian Shepherd, Nate. He made the trip from Annapolis to the Bahamas and back with us. We trained him to use a mat called a "Pup Head" and did not have to transport him to shore for business.

Whatever you pick needs to be big enough to get up and down the companionway by itself or small enough to lift. Nate negotiated the companionway and could get out of a dingy and onboard by himself if we held the dingy against the boarding platform.

He loved the trip. Nate's mother just had another litter, you can see the pups at Welcome and thanks for visiting Great Companions and a picture diary of our trip is at Split Decision

I too have a somewhat miniature Australian Shepard. Great dog. Smart, friendly and always trying to please. 1 year old now. He does chew things occasionally at home so I haven't brought him on the boat yet. (Some things shouldn't be chewed.)

I do wonder if he'll treat hoses the same way he treats dolls, pens and anything plastic. How does your Austrian Shepard do with chewing?

[HerbDB]

We took plenty of chew bones, chips ,toys and rope bones with us and had no problem. He does like to chew driftwood, but never touched any part of the boat. He really liked the beach and playing in the surf.

We were a little concerned that he wouldn't handle periods of inactivity when we were moving, but it was not an issue. When we had a place to play, I would take him ashore and throw a ball or water toy for him for 15-20 minutes and that did the job.

He was a pleasure to have aboard. He did most of his traveling in the dog bed in the picture or sitting next to me at the helm. The dog bed was attached to the boat and he had to wear a harness with a teather when underway. We never left him unattended on deck.

Offshore, we kept him below at night or if it was rough unless he needed to come up to visit his pup head.

[Coreyboy18]

Before we leave the dock...


When she is not playing Queen of the world on the bow, she is by my feet...

[tomaz_423]

It depends: do you need the dog only to steer the boat when the autopilot breaks - or must it be capable to repair the autopilot?
You would be better off with a monkey.

For long nights in secluded anchorages some Sail Netters recommend sheep, not dogs.

[Coreyboy18]

Wow, didn't mean for those to be that big...

[SailChick20]

Don't get a short-nosed breed (pug, bulldog, etc)...gets way too hot for them.

While mine makes a good companion (his clownish ways are good entertainment), he can only go in the evening or fall when it's cooler.