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.

@Orangesarenottheonlyfruit

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.

OP wants small to medium size though.

In theory I would say poodle, but our miniature poodle isn't a fan of water!

I don't think you'll have a problem whatever breed you get. We have an Irish Terrier who doesn't swim but paddles and we've had him on kayaks and all sorts and he loves it as long as he doesn't have to go in in if you see what I mean we know he actually can swim as he has fallen in water a couple of times... but a border or any other smaller terrier JRT etc are usually good in water. They also just want to be with you so if you show them from an early age what fun water is it may work. Good luck

Thanks to this thread I spent an hour before I went to sleep last night Googling YouTube videos of all the breeds mentioned

I’d never heard of a Lagotto but now I want one 😂

My sister in law used to have Irish Water Spaniels.

Their coats don't really shed.

I've only seen a couple in the past 20 years.

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

Kindly return my dog immediately.

I live next to a canal and have just reminded myself that there is a dog owner with two Staffies who LOVE a swim (preferably to retrieve a large branch)!

They have coats to wear after their winter swims ❄️

How about a spaniel x poodle? Cockerpoo or Cavapoo?
We have a Cavapoo and he absolutely loves the water, retrieving and chasing birds!
We do a lot of water sports in the summer, such as kayaking and SUP and he comes with us.

@Filterphobia

How about a spaniel x poodle? Cockerpoo or Cavapoo? We have a Cavapoo and he absolutely loves the water, retrieving and chasing birds! We do a lot of water sports in the summer, such as kayaking and SUP and he comes with us.

They don't all inherit the non-shedding hypoallergenic coat though, so as OP needs this for an allergy, its a bit of a risk. There's a cockerpoo nearly me whose coat looks just like a show spaniels, only slightly more wavy. Genes can work in mysterious ways

Our West Highland White terrier has always loved swimming and been perfectly happy on boats with a little lifejacket. He's getting on a buy now so not quite as keen, but he's nearly 14 so fair enough!

Can you try a rescue and see if they like water? I think trial and error may be needed here. I've had a yorkie follow me into the sea because she had fomo. They have hair, so don't shed.

I have recently met a Lagotto puppy at the local park where I walk my dogs, she is an absolute delight. The owner tells me she is the third on their street, as he and another neighbour loved the first one so much.

Also op have you seen a Chesapeake bay retriever? They have super tight curls in their coat to minimize water loggedness as they LOVE the water!!!

Tonight's bedtime YouTube - Chesapeake bay retriever . I hadn't heard of this breed either. Bounding dog videos before bed - I must be middle aged LOL

Unfortunately I can't risk a doodlepoo in case of sneezing - has to be woolly through and through!

I can get a doggy life jacket for going on boats - I'm pretty sure we had one for our rescue who died about 10 years ago, although I don't know what's happened to it