what are the best dog breeds to live on boats?

November 19, 2009 - 11:47 pm 16 Comments

I live in a sailboat and would love to have a dog. I heard the best breeds are golden retriever, labrador and portuguese water dog, but I’d prefer a smaller dog. Does anyone have a suggestion?

We had a 20 pound minature poodle, and he was hardy and great. Any of the "water," dogs would be best. Just be careful with poodles – if they get bored, they are intelligent and will get mischevious.

16 Responses to “what are the best dog breeds to live on boats?”

  1. Pondlife ver 1.0 Says:

    old sea dogs ?
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  2. june_sky99 Says:

    Beagles. Are. Amazing.
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  3. Silly W Says:

    SWimming dogs like golden reterievers
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  4. Ann N. Cephalic Says:

    maybe a water spaniel? or a Beagle?
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  5. bent not broke Says:

    Labradors
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  6. T. M Says:

    OK ever hear of a dog called a Schipperke??

    they were orginally used on barges to take care of Rat problems they are cool little dogs –
    http://www.akc.org/breeds/schipperke/index.cfm
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  7. Cyclone Ranger Says:

    Wasserhound.
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  8. Goldengal Says:

    You know that their are all different sizes that the dogs you mentioned come in. Not all Lab are hugh and not all Goldens are big.
    Some of my female Goldens are just 65 pounds. You need to look at thses dogs again and go out and look for the right type of either Golden or Lab that will fit into your life and boat.
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    Former Golden breeder and owner for over 20 years

  9. Stanley T Says:

    Believe it or not, Poodles were originally bred in Germany as duck hunting dogs ("Pudelhund’, their German name, means Puddle Dog or Water Dog), and are excellent swimmers. They come in all sizes, are very intelligent, don’t shed and don’t smell when wet. There is no need to keep them in a fancy show clip, either — a closely sheared "kennel clip" works very well.
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  10. rachel Says:

    i would go with a Labrador, they are great swimmers. i like the brown ones. spaniels are also good too.
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  11. minchis Says:

    If I was to live on a boat and with a dog a small one would do. You must also think of the size of the boat and where and how is the animal going to the bathroom at also what kind of exercises would the dog require. I believe a middle age to older dog a young dog would be just rowdy.
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  12. CC Says:

    We had a 20 pound minature poodle, and he was hardy and great. Any of the "water," dogs would be best. Just be careful with poodles – if they get bored, they are intelligent and will get mischevious.
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  13. sparkle Says:

    i think maby a Jack Russel or a Laborator would be a good dog maby even a Chihuahua
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  14. Rome Gramma Says:

    I agree with T M that a schipperke would be the best dog . they are highly intelligent and good swimmers for their size. beside with a small dog you could train it to use one of those doggy litter boxes and not have to worry about what to do when your dog has to GO!
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  15. Ignacio F Says:

    Since you want smaller a Newfoundland is out of the question. Right?

    I would probably go for a mid size poodle, if you get a darker coloured one and don’t go for the fancy haircut he could be a nice companion.

    Ignacio
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  16. krissy4543 Says:

    Have you heard of the Schipperke? It was bred as a boat dog and is small (about the size of a pomeranian). Here’s some info…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schipperke
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