Visit our Popular Forums

Paul Ouellette · 10-03-2007, 07:42

Group :

We live with & sail with a female Miniature schnauzer called "Malibu" (our fur-kid) named after the rum.

As a breed, M/S's don't shed...they don't have any "dog odour" & best of all they are VERY smart...she knows lots of tricks, was house broken in two weeks (she came to us at 11wks old) & has a vocabulary of about 100 words that we know she understands.

M/S's have to go to the groomers every 5wks & they have a stubborn streak that needs to be addressed by proper training...they will dominate you if they are allowed to.

They are also VERY attached to their family members & obviously sulk when "pack members..to them" are not all together...they get VERY happy when the family is all together again...& often do a snoopy "happy dance" when everyone is back together again. If a window is available they will stand watch for hours on end.

The breed was originally developed to control "varments" on farms in Germany & so they have a HUGE "chase & kill" instinct when it comes to anything smaller than they are...& often critters that are bigger too.

The thing that I love most about the breed is that they are very vocal...a thing called "schnauzer-talk" & althought excessive barking can be annoying (proper training will help with this) when they make eye contact with you & "warble" to try to get you to understand something, it's very cute.

Malibu is 20lbs (a bit big for a M/S) of sturdy muscle & moxy attitude...she sends out the alarm if anyone dares come too close to the boat & has never been a problem aboard.

She & the Admiral cuddle up when we are under way & when we are pulling into port she gets put into her folding canvas kennel that we keep in the salon to contain her until we're secured.

A mini schnauzer is a great size for a boat dog & the fact that she does not shed or smell makes for a happy time for the Admiral & I.

Malibu has a page on our website.

lhemmerich · 11-03-2007, 08:10

We have cruised with our dog for 3 years. Here is a short video of him learning to go poop

Video Clips

CLICK ON POOP DECK when this link opens

enjoy

scotte · 23-10-2007, 20:44

That Ziggy video was great! We've got a Jack Russell Terror and need to get her trained before we move aboard. Poor Ziggy..

We loved the tethered ball idea, we'll need to remember that, what a great idea.

caribnsol · 13-12-2007, 09:46

We have an australian cattle dog that likes the boat better than the house. We get to the boat and she starts patrolling, after a day on the water she is wore out and crashes on the kitchen floor for hours.

First time she went in the water she jumped in chasing another boat. Either from surprise or lack of practice, we found out she is an ugly swimmer. Eyes bugged out, paws flailing the water. I got her to swim around the stern where I could pull her up the steps. Second time in I thought she had escaped, we were in the slip and I had to adjust the lines to make it hard for her to jump to the finger pier and go exploring. I looked around and could not find her, grabbed her leash and headed for the finger pier, then coming around the stern of the boat in the next slip I heard something flailing about in the water. She had tried to jump to the finger pier and I think she overshot and splashed down. She swam around the boat and headed for the steps on our stern. I am currently looking for a good dog life jacket.

babykinz · 22-05-2008, 19:56

We have a Bichon and a cockatiel.
Sofie is a really good boat dog, she is small and stout and loves the water.
She doesnt shed which is a HUGE plus.

rayvin · 22-05-2008, 20:29

Love my dog my wife and my bird lol

jackiepitts · 23-05-2008, 11:16

We are living aboard with a pug and a poodle. The pug (Jasmine) is so laid back I think that the boat could be sinking and she would not care. The poodle (Dancer) is a little tighter wound but still does pretty good in rough conditions as long as he can see me at all times.

sopwith camel · 12-06-2008, 10:07

We have three dogs. A big yellow lab who doesn't come out with us anymore as his hips won't allow for him to find a comfortable space when the boat heels. A border collie who's probably smarter than we are (combined!). He hates we leave him home(and I mean HATES - there's always a payback when we get home), but prefers to stay below on our bed when we're out. And an australian shepherd who loves coming with us. No fear at all about sailing. People and other dogs are another problem all together. When we leave for good the border and aussie will come with us. The lab will stay with my son.

Little Otter · 15-07-2008, 14:29

I've got a cat named Arnold Schwartzakitty that likes to go on fishing trips with me and my dad, he'll be about seven when I hope to start cruising so ill take him along. he likes to sleep all day on the deck of our johnboat and has even gone sailng with me and my friends and seems to enjoy it he tends to try to attack intruders to so maybe if i can't take my black lab/ golden retriever named bandit with me arnold will be my watch dog =)

Chief Engineer · 16-07-2008, 21:59

I won't work on a boat if there are cats aboard......

Have you ever tried herding them down a dock.....when they try to escape from their floating prison?

At least a dog will come to you if you have a Milkbone...I carry them in the truck..

As for cats? No thanks.

lannen · 17-07-2008, 05:22

I checked with the Vice-Admiral and she wants to know what's up with the discrimination... she is curious as to why no bird count in the poll?

Little Otter · 17-07-2008, 21:48

Chief he actually comes to me when i call his name, just like a dog, he was raised on a bottle next to my dog so he thinks he is one, also lannen tell the Vice-Admiral that the Cadet Petty Officer 2nd class says its because cockatoos like to fly to much