The Best Boat Dogs

There’s no better way to enjoy a beautiful summer day than spending time out on the water. Whether you’re someone who loves to fish, or if you have a boat to relax on in the summer, boats are a great vehicle that most people can enjoy.

That said, you might worry about your dog if you leave them home alone for hours while you’re enjoying time on your boat. So, what if you could bring your dog with you?

While you can physically bring any dog with you on a boat, that doesn’t mean you should. Some dog breeds will handle the water better than others and your dog should have some type of training to avoid jumping in the water or freaking out on the deck.

The good news is that plenty of dog breeds can make great boat dogs and we’re here to help you find the right fit for you. Read on to learn about the best boat dogs and how to choose the right breed for your needs.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Boat Dog

Several key factors play a role in how well a dog will perform when you take them out to see. While the most important one is their temperament, training, and size can also be important. Plus, it’s a good idea to bring a dog that can swim, just in case something happens out on the water.

Luckily, most dogs can be trained to be boat dogs! It just comes down to some dogs being easier to handle than others. Learn more about factors to consider when choosing a boat dog below.

Size

One of the most important factors to consider is the size of the dog. While size isn’t everything for boats, having a smaller dog has its advantages, most notably more space on the boat and fewer cans of food needed to keep them happy.

On the other hand, larger dogs take up more space and you might have to bring more supplies to keep them happy. Plus, if the boat is too small it might not be worth it to bring them if you don’t have extra space.

Still, there are some benefits to bringing a medium-sized dog if you have the room. For example, they’re better at swimming and you can do more activities with them out on the water.

Some medium-sized dogs can also rescue other passengers who may fall overboard, which makes them a welcome addition to any crew. Larger dogs can also help you with fishing as well but this is less common today.

Swimming Ability

When you’re taking a dog out on the water it’s a good idea to choose a breed that can swim. They don’t have to be the best swimmers around but if you plan on doing any water sports with your dog they should have some innate ability to swim. After all, the doggy paddle had to come from somewhere, right?

While most dogs can learn to swim when given the time and practice, some breeds are natural swimmers. For example, the Portuguese water dog and Irish water spaniel are known for enjoying their time in the water. Then, so you don’t have to worry as much if they decide to jump off the boat and go for a swim.

Trainability

When you’re bringing a dog with you on a boat you need to train them properly. This is less important if you have a small dog that will be hanging around inside a boat but if you have a larger dog that will be on the deck, training is crucial.

Therefore, breeds that are easier to train make for better boat dogs because you can teach them commands, how to walk around without a leash, and much more. While you can handle most of the training yourself, it doesn’t hurt to work with a professional if you’re unsure about what to train the dog on.

The 10 Best Boat Dog Breeds

The best boat dogs come in many different sizes and many dogs can be good for your situation.

However, some breeds perform better than others, so it’s important to find a boat dog that works best for your needs. For example, a labrador retriever is a great boat dog for swimming but only if you have the space, whereas a smaller dog can handle even the smallest boats. Learn about the best boat dogs below.

1. Labrador Retriever

Like most of our dog breed lists, you can’t go wrong with a Labrador retriever. These dogs are suitable for just about any activity, including living life to their fullest out at sea.

As long as you have the deck space, you shouldn’t have any issues spending time with your canine companion out on the water if you have a labrador retriever. English Labradors and other labrador breeds can also enjoy life out at sea with the right training.

Labrador retrievers are also decent swimmers. They’re not the best swimmers but with a little bit of practice they can become one of the best boat dogs for water sports or having some fun out in the sea or on your favorite lake. Labrador retrievers are also easy to train and can fit on most boats as long as you have a little bit of walking room.

2. Portuguese Water Dog

Among the best boat dogs is the Portuguese water dog. What makes this breed special is how it was bred and the attributes that it inherited from its ancestors.

These dogs were bred to be around water, catch fish, and hunt, so they have no problem being near water. In fact, many Portuguese water dogs are great swimmers who love to be in the water. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about them drowning or being squeamish around water.

Portuguese water dogs are also easy to train thanks to their hunting dog heritage. You can teach them complex commands and don’t have to worry about them acting unruly if you tell them to stay out of the water.

Portuguese water dogs are also small enough to fit on most boats, so you don’t need a yacht or a fishing boat to enjoy time with your Portuguese water dog.

3. Newfoundland

The Newfoundland is a great boat dog and has been bred to help people get things out of the water, making them a welcome addition to any crew.

What makes the Newfoundland a good choice is their ability to jump in the water, swim, and grab things – they can even grab people and fish! This makes them ideal for larger boats that can accommodate their size but they also make for good fishing buddies. If you plan on fishing or going on charter boats, it’s not the worst idea to bring a Newfoundland with you.

When it comes to training, Newfoundlands are easy to train and work with. You don’t have to worry about them being difficult because they’re loyal to their owners and don’t mind being people-pleasers. Their coat does need to be cared for after bouts of water fun, so keep grooming tools handy if you plan on going out on the water often.

4. Australian Shepherd

The Australian shepherd is a great boat dog. They were bred for hunting small game, so you shouldn’t have any issues getting them to learn commands.

Australian shepherds are also strong swimmers and can be small enough to spend their time on smaller boats without compromising the amount of room you have. Typically, Australian shepherds are medium-sized dogs that weigh around 25-40 pounds.

Australian shepherds are also a good choice because you can get a toy Aussie. The toy Aussie is also a great breed for boats due to its size.

Unlike the traditional Australian shepherd, toy Aussies are much smaller and usually weigh less than 10 pounds. This makes it easy for them to fit on smaller boats, so you don’t have to worry as much about space. There are also other Australian shepherd mixes that are great for boats.

5. Poodle

Poodles are known for their high intelligence and their ability to train without much resistance. However, poodles are also great boat dogs thanks to their ability to swim. These dogs were bred for harsh and wet conditions, so it’s no surprise that they can swim well.

You shouldn’t just toss them in deep water, but when given enough time you can train a poodle to handle swimming. Plus, poodles are one of the few dog breeds that will enjoy it.

While poodles are great swimmers, they’re also good for boats because they come in many different sizes. Your average medium-sized poodle is good for water sports, bigger boats, and swimming, while smaller toy poodles and poodles mix like the bordoodle. Overall, poodles are one of the best boat dog breeds.

6. Golden Retriever

The golden retriever is a great dog breed for most activities. They’re good running dogs, hiking dogs, and of course, boat dogs. While they’re larger than some smaller breeds, they do well on most boats and aren’t afraid to take a dip in the water.

Make sure the area is safe and let your golden retriever surprise you with their ability to swim. They might not be the fastest swimmers but they do swim with enthusiasm and move to participate in watersports if you let them.

Golden retrievers are also one of the best boat dog breeds because of their trainability. They love to please their owners and won’t give you any problems learning commands as long as you use positive reinforcement.

Golden retrievers are also smart enough to learn tons of commands and you don’t have to worry about them jumping overboard if you train them properly.

7. American Water Spaniel

As the name suggests, the American water spaniel is one of the best boat dogs. These dogs can handle water well and love to swim. Plus, they have a gorgeous brown coat that doesn’t require a lot of grooming, even after a long day in the water.

American water spaniels also enjoy the water, so they will jump into lakes, pools, and oceans to play with you or explore their surroundings. Furthermore, the American water spaniel is the ideal size for boats. They’re not too big and they can fit into a kayak or small motorboat.

American water spaniels are also easy to train. They have no problem learning complex commands and you can train them to hang around on a boat without a leash and not have to worry about them jumping right into the water.

The only drawback to this breed is that the American water spaniel is a rare breed, so you can’t always find them. However, when given the chance we definitely recommend adopting one of you looking for a boat buddy.

8. Chesapeake Bay Retriever

The Chesapeake Bay retriever is a rare and unique breed, but if you can find one they’re excellent boat companions. These dogs have a long history of enjoying the water, so it’s no surprise that they’re great for boats.

What’s more, if you plan on boating in colder conditions the Chesapeake Bay retriever can’t be beaten. This is because they used to hunt ducks in the cold waters of the Chesapeake Bay, hence their name, which gives them an edge over other breeds in cold climates.

Chesapeake Bay retrievers are also loyal and easy to train. You can train them to spend time on a boat without a leash and they make good watchdogs for your boat. The last thing to note is that they’re not as large as some other retriever breeds, which makes them suitable for boats of all sizes, even kayaks.

9. Spanish Water Dog

The Spanish water dog is another breed that’s made for handling water. In fact, the Spanish water dog thrives when they’re swimming.

These dogs were originally bred to get waterfowl and their curly hair gives them buoyancy that helps them stay afloat. Their coat is also easy to manage and you don’t have to worry about bathing them every time they go for a dip – just make sure you brush their hair out.

Spanish water dogs also have a history of herding as well. This makes them easy to train and responsive to commands. Spanish water dogs also won’t have any problems staying by your side without a leash. For the best results, make sure you use positive reinforcement training.

10. Irish Water Spaniel

Another water spaniel that’s one of the best boat dog breeds is the Irish water spaniel. These dogs have a water-repellent coat, and they’re smart enough to learn complex commands and hang around on your boat without a leash.

Irish water spaniels are also tall dogs, so they can swim faster and manage better in shallow water without expending too much energy.

The only drawback to the Irish water spaniel is that they’re big dogs. This makes it hard for them to fit on smaller boats, including kayaks or canoes. Ultimately, you’ll need a deck with at least a few feet of extra space for them to walk around. Therefore, we only recommend taking this dog breed out if you have a boat that can handle their size.

What Dogs Should You Avoid Bringing on a Boat?

Most dog breeds can spend time on a boat without any problems. That said, some dog breeds shouldn’t be on a boat due to health risks.

For example, brachycephalic dogs are not the best boat dogs because their short snout and flat face make it easy for water to get in their nose or mouth. These breeds also struggle with cardiovascular health and stamina due to breathing problems, so having them swim or on a boat is not a good idea.

Some dog breeds are also bad swimmers and shouldn’t be in the water. For example, dachshunds have barrel-shaped bodies and short legs that make it hard for them to float. Some other examples of dogs that shouldn’t be on a boat include:

• Pugs
• Chinese crested
• Shih Tzu
• Basset hound
• French bulldog
• Greyhound

These are only a few examples and some other breeds might also not be a good fit. You can usually bring these dogs with you if you train them to stay out of the water.

Enjoy Time on Your Boat With the Best Boat Dog Breeds

Spending time with your dog is a great way to form a bond with them. While leaving them home while you’re on a boat is acceptable, why not adopt a dog that you can take with you?

Most dog breeds can be good boat dogs if you give them the right training. That said, some are better than others, so we recommend considering one of the best boat dog breeds that we covered to get the right fit.

However, if you already have a dog and you want to start bringing them on a boat, training can go a long way. Make sure you work with a professional trainer to ensure that they can maintain good behavior when they’re on a boat.