which small-medium woolly dogs like water and boats?

[nongnangning]

We last had a dog ten years ago (which died of old age when DS was a toddler). Now me and DH are thinking to get one again. We do lots of family activities which involve water (lakes and sea) and boats so it would be really good if we could find one which wasn't scared of water.

We need a woolly-type one (ie non-shedding for sneezing allergy) and small-medium sized ie not a Newfoundland.

Does anyone have any experience or good hints on what sorts of breeds to go for? I've Googled 'water dogs' and seen the various Portuguese, Spanish etc but these look quite hard to come by.

Do I really need a special water dog or would one of the other woolly-type breeds be fine?

Thanks for any advice, watery dog owners.

spaniels (springers/cockers) generally like water (you can get specific water spaniels but they are probably not easy to get either). But they do shed if that's going to be an issue.

a standard poodle might fit your bill? they also generally love water and have the coat you need.

just bear in mind you can't guarantee that any dog will love water even if it's in their breed to love it! you can get special dog life jackets now and the like for boating.

A poodle would fit the bill perfectly.

Portuguese Water Dog!!!

Ah just saw that you've seen them.. try the kennel club website :)

Haha would be just my luck to get a water dog that doesn't like water. Our last dog was a rescue and she didn't do quite a few of the things her breed was supposed to do.

Poodles were literally bred to be water retrievers and so fit your bill perfectly. Also you’d have a choice of sizes. Toys are the tiny ones, I believe miniatures are around cocker spaniel size, be wary of standards as they came be huge!

I think the Portuguese and Spanish Water dogs are gorgeous, but a Poodle would suit your requirements perfectly and would probably be less working/more pet in nature.

As a pp said, no guarantees an individual of any breed, even a ‘water dog’, would love water, but like most things, if you introduce it in a positive way and encourage them it should be fine. The next breed I am getting has a rep for loathing water, but there are quite a few that were introduced to it in a positive way when they were pups and will swim with the best of them. There are also a couple of breeders that make a concerted effort to ensure their pups love water, so maybe that’s something to consider when you are looking for a breeder.

Lagotto Romagnolo are fab dogs. An excellent breeder in Leicester if that is anywhere near you?

Labs, spaniels usualy all love water. Benefit of a lab is that they are easy or quick to dry off afterwards.

Mini poodle.
I wouldn't go for a poodle cross as you could still end up with a shedding coat, as it can take after either parent.

Agree with comments about not always being like the breed description though; my cocker spaniel won't do more than paddle (& only then in v clear water where he can see the bottom, & not past his ankles )

My cocker spaniel hates water and apart from the odd paddle in the stream when it’s warm will actively try to avoid it. Refuses point blank to go out in the rain.

He is however quite partial to a warm shower and a snooze on the sofa in his dressing gown afterwards.

There's a Lagotto (Italian water dog) at our local park who would fit the bill perfectly. I asked if there were long waiting lists and the owner said they were easier to find than doodle poodle things as nobody has heard of them (which also minimises cash cow type breeding).

Cockapoo

Lagotto! I'd never heard of this breed before. Looks great - like a poodle but speaking Italian . I would be very interested to be in touch with the breeder @PollyRoulllson. I will DM you about it.

Poodle also sounds like a very good option. I did not realise they were bred to go in the water. Probably the middle size, a mini, yes. I knew a girl who had the standard size and as PP says it was quite big.

Very good ideas about looking for positive introduction to water with a breeder

Another one going to suggest a poodle.

They have webbed feet and as pp said were bred to retrieve water fowl.

The fluffy pompom cuts that poodles have sometimes (obviously not mandatory) are a historic thing to help them out in the water and the undergrowth on hunts. redandapricotpoodles.com/origins-of-the-poodle-clip/

Another one echoing that just because a dog should like the water doesn’t mean they do! Our Labrador (from working stock) would tiptoe around puddles and cry when his paws got muddy. He only got over this when he fell into a fishing lodge and realised he could actually swim now we can’t get him out of water!

Poodles fluffy pom pom cut originated to help them swim - who knew!!

Amazing help everybody - thank you so much for the insights

Poodle! I’d love a standard poodle myself but don’t trust myself to keep on top of that hair

We are so in love with our 5 month old lagotto. He's got a waterproof coat, webbed feet and a love of all bodies of water, from his bowl to the ocean. He's fab.

Ooh! I know! I know!
A flat coat retreiver.
They were originally bred half Newfoundland , half setter.
They are amazing swimmers and love the water. They even have webbed paws!

They have a wonderful temperament and are a total joy. I've never known a snappy one, so they are great around children and guests, plus they are beautiful.

We have a Spanish water dog who is wooly, non shedding and loves water!
The is a very devoted family dog who is very biddable and quick to learn.
If your in the uk there are a few breeder though you may have a bit of a wait.

We have a 21 month old Lagotto Romagnolo who won’t go near water. She even walks round puddles!

She is very sweet though.

Lagotto would be born for that, but all breeds have individuals so you still want to accustom them to the life you want then to live. My sisters 2 lagotto's were taken to the beach all the time as pups, they go stand up paddle boarding with her and are hardly ever out of the water.
She is also highly allergic to dog fur and this is the only dog she's ever not reacted to as they are wooly like you say.
Fab size, and lovely temperament. Just what you need.

Fun fact. Lagotto are big in Australia cos they're is a large Italian expat community and a largely coastal population.

A friend has a rescue miniature poodle. I visited her soon after she got the dog and we went to a park with a large lake - the dog was straight in the water and absolutely loved it
(She stayed on the lead because friend had no idea if she’d recall in water!)

Poodle or spaniel. Need groomed regularly though, ours cost £40 every 6 weeks.

Introduce them to water and the stuff you want them to do gradually and in a fun way, use lots of treats and praise. Ours loves glens and rivers but not the sea so much. But if we are sea swimming she gets anxious and tries to swim out to us.