C-Dog

flagold · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:17 am Post subject: C-Dog

My 14 year traveling companion died last year and I think I'm at the point now to have another. Z-Dawg was a Lab, far to heavy for me to lift a dog like that in and out anymore after my stroke. I'm looking for a pure small boat dog now, hopefully one I can train to use a litter box. I have looked hard at a female Irish Terrier, the Smooth Wire Terrier, and the Jack Russell Terrier, because of their ease of coat maintenance and a short coat important in hot weather. They may be to lively for a boat, however. I'm looking for suggestions. I'm not looking for a Za Za Gabor type dog (a foo-foo dog). Pictures are everything. Thanks.

Irish Terrier: 24-26 lbs

Smooth Terrier: 18-20 lbs

Jack Russell Terrier: 9-15 lbs

Valkyrie · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:25 am Post subject:

My subjective vote goes to one not on your list - the Airedale Terrier. We have had four ADT's for boat dogs and all have been great. My favorite, of course, was Valkyrie, after whom we named our boat.

They are larger than your criteria; the ones currently being bred are about 50-55 pounds. Boomer, our year-old pup, loves the boat and the dinghy, which he accesses by going through the splashwell and onto the swim platform.

Their coats needed to be cut 2-3 times a year and they shed VERY LITTLE - important to us at home, the cabin, the camper and on Valkyrie.

They are both friendly and protective and have webbed feet, and most love to swim.

Hope this very subjective opinion helps. Pics in our album

Nick
"Valkyrie"

Byrdman · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:34 am Post subject:

Hey Flag!! Sorry about your loss with your pet. Hard times they are... Was looking into the possibility of a Portuguese Water Dog myself...but, I have to really pay attention as to how much travel I do where I simply could not bring my dog... We do have a good pet-sitter for the house cats....but a dog just needs more care...and they provide more love and care too, they like it when you show up at the door with unexpected boating friends, they like it when you spill crumbs on the floor.... well...you get the idea.

Come on over to the October Gulf Coast Gathering! Looks to be another good time. Had a blast last year for sure.

Byrdman

Sneaks · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:49 am Post subject:

We lost our beloved Sammy the Wonder Dog on Mothers Day and spouse is now actively campaigning for a replacement so I'll be watching this thread closely.

The terriers have always been off our list simply because of their "Terrier traits" but DaNerd pointed out that the Rat Terrier is an exception and is on our list. We'd both love a Border Collie but our limit is under 25 lbs and it's hard to find one that size.

After owning a Bichon, I've found that "FooFoo" is in the hands of the groomer and if one gives them (or miniature poodles) a simple clean "lamb cut" or "Puppy cut" they are fine companions though the Bichons can be pretty hard headed. They both shed very little and that's a big factor in their favor. Above all, our choice has to be (or be capable of being) well socialized and able to work as a therapy dog.

No, I don't want Seawolf Joe's choice of companions. I hate using a backhoe to pick up after a Great Dane.... Shocked

And no, nephew Pat, I don't want a cute clueless "Blonde" type dog either. They gotta have brains to go along with their looks! Wink

Don

Swee Pea · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:56 am Post subject:

I inherited a long haired, long legged Jack Russell (Parsons Terrier) named Archie (can be seen in Swee Pea album). Would not trade him for all the tea in China. Very smart and playful.

John
Swee Pea

Doryman · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 12:11 pm Post subject:

We have had up to three Australian Shepherds at one time. Two have died and one stayed in Utah with a friend who would take him horseback riding.

We thought about a Lab but the size and the weight issues particularly WRT getting him in and out of the boat were deal-killers. Then we were on the dock at Friday Harbor and met a really cute minature Australian Labradoodle (16-25#). Looked into it further and decided to get two of them! Ike (apricot) and Mamie (black) the C-Dogs come home with us a week from Saturday. Will post pix later.

Warren

snal · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 12:34 pm Post subject:

I know this likely fits into the "Za Za Gabor" type...but our Shi-Tzu loves boating, loves the water, doesn't know she's a dog, doesn't shed at all (but requires haircuts), and loves everyone!

wailedcentipede · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 12:39 pm Post subject:

we find our Jack Russel (short hair) a bit of a hair bag but she doesn't take up the whole boat ... a real surprise was a little Dachshund dropped off by a family member a in your face watch dog, great personality no hair, prior to this would never have looked at one ... may need your wife walk her kind of a weenie image .. lol wc

flagold · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:55 pm Post subject:

Da Nag · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:02 pm Post subject:

Here's a bunch of cuttin'/pastin' from the email I sent Sneaks...

Picking breeds is almost like talking religion, but if you're looking for small, you might check out Rat Terriers if you're not familiar with them. They've really intrigued us in the past, when we've chatted about going smaller. They're small, short haired, intelligent, and typically without most of the nasty terrier traits...aggressiveness, barking, stubbornness, etc. They're also known for being incredibly healthy...15 years is not uncommon. Rock-C has one (Chloe), and she's a sweetheart...here's a pic.

Rescue opportunities abound for them as well...much as I dig puppies, I'm getting to a stage in life where I enjoy them more when owned by somebody else. I'm fairly certain we'll stick with 1-2 year old dogs from now on.

Rock-C · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:47 pm Post subject:

Bill
Thanks for the kind words. Chloe is part of the family. She doesn't travel well, but would not be left at home. Now that Jake, (the one in the green PFD) is getting older, he is not traveling with us as much. Chloe is taking up the slack.
We are very happy with our Rat Terrorist. She doesn't bark, has a good personality(not like her master), and is small enough to easly travel with.
There are a lot of cute dogs on this web site, but I think Chloe is a winner... Dog

Pat Anderson · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:55 pm Post subject:

Baxter resembles that remark, Uncle! But HOW could anybody resist him!

Bill Uffelman · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:47 pm Post subject:

While in Jackson Hole Wyoming last weekend on business we met a small springer spaniel named Theo who was available for adoption at the local shelter. They have a great marketing program -- a volunteer puts an Adopt Me blanket on the dog and walks him around the town square. If we could have stayed the required 2 days for a test run with the dog he would now be in our back yard with our 90 pound golden retriever, boat dog wannabe, Carson. We rescued Carson when he was 2 and he is now 3.5 years old.

Do check with the various breed oriented rescue programs in your area -- you will find a great dog.

Bill Uffelman -- wish we could have spent more time in Jackson Hole
Las Vegas NV

C-Hawk · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:29 pm Post subject:

You can research various breeds here
They provide information on size, care and health requirements

Sea Wolf · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:51 pm Post subject:

Size limitations be dammned!

I've had two 150 lb female Great Danes take up residence in my CD 22 Cruiser's v-berth over the 9 years I've enjoyed the boat, and their human-like proportions were only difficult to deal with getting into and out of the boat, which can be solved easily with a cooler on the inside of the boat and a ramp running down from the gunnel.

Shadow and Misty, my first and latest C-Dog love affairs!

Joe. Teeth