The Best Dog Breeds For Houseboats
The overall best dog breeds for houseboats include the American Water Spaniel, the Portuguese Water Dog and the Labrador Retriever. These dogs are bred to be strong swimmers which is a necessary trait for dogs to live on houseboats.
Table of Contents
Overall Top 3 Breeds For Houseboats
1. American Water Spaniel
2. Portuguese Water Dog
3. Labrador Retriever
Continue reading for detailed information on each of these dog breeds and how they will benefit your houseboat lifestyle!
What To Look For In A Dog For Living On A Houseboat
Temperament
Temperament is the most important factor when looking for a dog breed, especially if the dog is going to be a good houseboat companion. I highly recommend dogs that are on the quieter side for a houseboat. This is especially applicable if you dock your boat amongst other houseboats, you don’t want a barking dog to disturb your temporary neighbours. You also want a more easy going dog as your lifestyle and surroundings will be constantly changing while on the move in a houseboat. You would want a dog who likes a bit of adventure as well!
Size
While a smaller size dog is more convenient for the limited space available on a houseboat, a medium or large dog breed is more suitable. This is because medium and large breed dogs are stronger swimmers than small breeds due to their longer legs and stronger muscular builds. If you do decide to get a smaller sized dog I highly recommend that you invest in a dog life jacket to be worn while onboard.
Read Also: Does My Dog Need A Life Jacket On A Boat?
Energy
Ideally you want to look for a low to medium energy dog for a houseboat however a high energy dog can be managed with proper exercise and mental stimulation. If you have your houseboat docked most of the time and you can take your dog daily to a park for a run around, you should be able to have a high energy dog. Alternatively you can give your dog lots of mentally stimulating games and toys such as an interactive puzzle toy with treats.
However if you are constantly on the move and can’t get out with your dog often, a low to medium energy dog is more suitable. Nevertheless you should still be aiming to give your dog at least one walk daily and other forms of exercise.
You should also consider the size of your houseboat and how this translates to ways your dog can expend his/her build up energy. You might ask yourself this question: Is there space to run around on deck?
Finally you need to consider these two things before choosing the right dog breed for you for a houseboat. This is your activity level/lifestyle and your personality.
- Do you exercise a lot and have an active lifestyle while living on a houseboat?
- Can you handle a high energy dog?
- Do you find frisky dogs annoying?
Shedding
Some dogs are heavy shedders while others don’t shed at all. Whether your dog sheds or not will not greatly impact how good of a houseboat companion he/she is however it will affect how much cleaning you will have to do inside your boat. With a high shedding dog you will have to invest into a pet vacuum cleaner and a dog hair remover roller to keep your houseboat spick and span.
Also if you are allergic to dogs, consider getting a non shedding dog which are also known as hypoallergenic dogs.
- Heavy = substantial shedding 24/7, all year round
- Some = seasonal shedding, generally in summer
- Minimal = a few strands of fur here and there
- No = hypoallergenic dog
Read also: These Simple Tricks Will Remove All Of The Dog Hair From Your Car!
Cost
Dogs are expensive and I’m guessing if you have chosen the adventurous lifestyle of living on a houseboat, you want to keep your costs down. Pure breed dogs are much more expensive than mixed breeds and in all honesty you are just paying for the name. Mixed breed dogs can make just as good of a companion as pure breeds. Ultimately it is your choice on whether you get one or not.
Best Large Dog Breeds For Houseboats
1. Portuguese Water Dog
Temperament
- Animated/Lively
- Loyal
Size
Weight: 19kg to 25kg
Height: 50cm to 57cm
Energy
High
Shedding
No
Overview
The Portuguese Water Dog is native to Portugal as the name suggests. They are excellent swimmers as they traditionally worked alongside Portuguese fishermen for hundreds of years. These dogs worked by herding and catching fish, retrieving nets and other things that fell into the water. Portuguese Water Dogs are medium sized and muscular. Their coats can come in many colours such as black, white and many shades of brown.
This breed is good for you if:
- You like swimming
- You live with children
- You want a dog that is fun and will make people laugh
2. Labrador Retriever
Temperament
- Easygoing
- Friendly
- Loyal
Size
Weight: 28kg to 30kg
Height: 54cm to 57cm
Energy
High
Shedding
Heavy
Overview
Labrador Retriever’s are one of the most popular dog breeds because of their loving, easy going and friendly nature. These dogs have high energy levels and require 40 minutes of exercise a day which is great if you lead an active lifestyle while living on a houseboat. They also have a low tendency to bark which is good for living in close proximity to other boats. Like most dogs, if they are not exercised well they can become destructive and excessively bark but you can easily avoid this by fulfilling their exercising needs.
This breed is good for you if:
- You like swimming
- You live with children
- You like to do lots of physical activity
3. Irish Water Spaniel
Temperament
- Lively/cheerful
- Quiet
- Can be stubborn if not trained correctly
Size
Weight: 20kg to 25kg
Height: 53cm to 58cm
Energy
High
Shedding
Low
Overview
The Irish Water Spaniel is an intelligent dog breed that is highly suited to the houseboat lifestyle as they are excellent swimmers. The origins are the dog are debated but the most common belief is that is was a cross between an Irish Settler and a Poodle. In England and Ireland they were a popular breed as they were able to retriever in the coldest water without causing damage to what they were retrieving. As for their appearance, Irish Water Spaniels are usually dark liver in colour and have a curly coat.
This breed is good for you if:
- You like swimming
- You like dog training
- You like to do lots of exercise
4. Newfoundland
Temperament
- Gentle giant
- Docile
- Life saving instinct
Size
Weight: 64kg to 69kg
Height: 66cm to 71cm
Energy
Medium
Shedding
Heavy
Overview
Despite Newfoundlands being a giant dog they make a fantastic family pet. In the early 18th century the Newfoundland that we know today started to emerge. They were used to haul heavy loads and help fishermen in Europe. Many poorer people had Newfoundlands instead of horses to transport their goods home from the port as they were a cheaper option. As for their appearance, Newfoundlands look like teddy bears when they are puppies with black, brown or a mix of brown and white long coats. Be aware that if you have this dog breed, you can’t go swimming with it as they have a strong life saving instinct and will haul you back to the beach instead of swimming with you.
This breed is good for you if:
- You live with children
- You like to play water games with your dog from the sand (not swimming with your dog)
- You like giant dogs
- You live on a large houseboat (these dogs take up a lot of space!)
5. Golden Retriever
Temperament
- Sensitive
- Intelligent
- Intense desire to please
Size
Weight: 30kg to 34kg
Height: 56cm to 61cm
Energy
Medium
Shedding
Heavy
Overview
The Golden Retriever, like the Labrador, is one of the most popular dog breeds around the world. The coat of a Golden Retriever can be any shade of cream or gold and sometimes even red however this is rare. They are a super gentle dog that is very loyal to his/her family. Golden Retrievers also love the water, making them a perfect dog for a a houseboat. Also as they are retrievers they really like to play fetch or just carry, drag or pull anything that they can fit into their mouths. Be careful leaving important things lying around your houseboat if you get one of these dogs!
This breed is good for you if:
- You have children
- You like swimming
- You can stay with your dog most of the time (Golden Retrievers are worriers and need companionship)
Best Small & Medium Dog Breeds For Houseboats
1. American Water Spaniel
Temperament
- Gentle
- Obedient
- Energetic
- Intelligent
Size
Weight: 11kg to 20kg
Height: 42cm to 50cm
Energy
High
Shedding
Some
Overview
The American Water Spaniel as the name suggests is a skilled swimmer. They have a double coat which is water resistant and have lots of energy to expel. These dogs have webbed feet to help them propel themselves through the water. As for their personality, they have a gentle nature and are obedient if trained well.
This breed is good for you if:
- You partake in lots of exercise and will take your dog along
- You like swimming
2. Labradoodle
Temperament
- Lively
- Friendly
- Gentle
Size
Weight: 13kg to 23kg
Height: 40cm to 51cm
Energy
High
Shedding
No/Minimal
Overview
Labradoodle’s are a cross breed between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle and can come in many different sizes depending on the size of the poodle used for breeding (toy, miniature or standard). Originally these two dogs were breed together to produce a non shedding hypoallergenic guide dog but now they have become a popular breed as they have less genetic diseases than purebred dogs. These dogs can be black, cream, brown or gold and have a thick curly or wiry coat.
This breed is good for you if:
- You lead an active lifestyle
- You have children
- You like swimming
Further Reading
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