We have a 7 month old German Shorthaired that loves being on the boat. He'll walk all the way up to the bow pulpit even with the boat healed hard over. Then when he gets tired he'll head below for a nap. Only thing is, when we're anchored out having a swim, he doesn't like to be put into the water. He will immediately head for the swim ladder if you toss him in. Hopefully, this is just a stage and he will become more accustomed to actually being in the water as he gets older.