I am looking for a tough, Jack Russell - size dog to take hiking and paddling. Something a lot more calm than a JR though.
Any recommendations?
Schipperke?
Size is right, and it was bred to hang out on boats.
When I think “terrier,” I think “high-strung.” Also beware of nonterriers that are very prey-driven, unless you are willing to keep your dog on leash while outdoors. My two dogs are slightly larger than Jack Russells, and though they are excellent hikers and very hardy and cheerful, their #1 interest is in hunting down other critters. So they stay leashed on all hikes.
How about Shelties!
The only way to Dog-Paddle!
http://community.webshots.com/photo/132978766/137132255yhzbDR
http://community.webshots.com/photo/132978766/137132357CpdHtq
Great water dog
American Water Spaniel. Smart, friendly and loves the water.
Miniature American Eskimo
Cute as heck, little inclination to run away or chase stuff.
Papillon
– Last Updated: Nov-01-04 2:28 PM EST –
Micky is a terrific paddle buddy.
http://images.ofoto.com/photos879/1/87/96/49/13/9/913499687105_0_ALB.jpg
Don’t get a beagle
Ours hates water. Great sense of smell though.
consider a rescue dog…
You might want to visit your local pound or rescue center and see what dogs that need a home might fit the bill. One of our friends has a great dog that paddles with her which is about the size of a Jack Russell, but it’s just a little mutt (black with rusty brown points). My dog is also a rescue dog, and in her 10th year has learned to paddle with me in my canoe (yes - you CAN teach an old dog new tricks), but my dog is 65lbs, and it sounds like you’re looking for something a bit more compact!
You can also try this link. Type in your zip code and what you are looking for, and you’ll see animals for adoption close to you. There will likely be many more at local shelters who don’t list on this website, but it’s a way to start a search:
http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?action=1&display=&adTarget=468catgeneral&preview=1&SessionID=4011afec6ef04e16-app3&row=0&tmpl=#
Rescue dogs can be great - you might be surprised at what you can find!
Good luck finding your canine hiking/paddling buddy!
String,String…
you DO NOT want a dog in your canoe,because those ears flappin in the breeze create wake turbulance,which causes drag,and will slow you down.Those pesky QCC’s will surely blow right passed you with the added canine wind drag.Just kidding,a dog makes a great on the water companion. Some of the Raystown gang have dogs that everyone else has a blast with,on and off the water. If you get one ,I can’t wait to meet him/her next spring.
Happy Paddling billinpa
Do some research
on breed traits (or contributors in mixes.) What ever you end up with will have behaviors not kayaking related to live with the rest of the time you are off the water. Anyone who reads my dog posts knows that I love my Brittany and he is the ideal dog for my level of activity. He enjoys the kayak, but can get restless or way interested in birds; he’s a bird dog first and formost. I walk him before work and after, and longer hikes on weekends. He has an abundance of energy. Even if he got two full weeks of hunting a year I still would have to give him lots of activity the other 50 weeks. My bottom line is: find a companion that works for most of your lifestyle and hopefully fits into other things as well.
Taj
You should definately look at:
The Border Terrier.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/borderte.cfm
It is a terrier however, and as such there can be a strong hunting drive, which means he’ll probably always be an on-the-leash dog. Don’t know whether or not that’s important to you. Other than that, they are hardy, very affectionate, intelligent, and easy to train. It’s definately a few notches down on the hyperactivity scale from the JR or PJR, though still very active.
If you want even calmer, look at a Tibetan Spaniel:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/tibspan.cfm
http://www.tsca.ws/index.php
BorderTerrier
Border Terriers are great dogs … the quietest, social and trainable of all the terrier breed IMHO, and I speak from the experience of having one for 13 years.
Any terrier is hard to train not because they are stupid but because they are bred to operate solo, which means they are independent by nature (unlike the usual hunting dog breeds).
The Border is avery trainable in comparison with the other terrier breeds … my dog’s grandfather won both American Kennel Club UD and TD Obedience degrees (Utility Dog and Tracking Dog), which are the highest the AKC awards.
But unless you are equivalently excellent as a dog trainer, fuggedaboutit! Borders have a hearing problem …when you take them for a walk they go deaf if released from its restraint!
On the good side, they are not quarrelsome, having been bred to get along with hounds. In fact they like other dogs. But if attacked, they are completely fearless. There is no quit in a Border Terrier once he is assaulted, and I don’t care what the size of number of the opposition.
Tough, hardy, affectionate, non-excitable and, surpisingly, quiet! Border Terriers are not yappers!
Mal
Instead of going on at great length
about our favorites…Get a paper back copy of Simon &Schuster’s Guide to Dogs. The guide was published about 1980. ISBN-0-671-25527-4 Pbk. Trust me-this book should be required reading for everyone who has a dog, or is thinking of getting a dog. Covers over 320 breeds and is right on the money. Then Google up some clubs, owners, etc. Then plan on a lot of time and effort which will reward you tremendously.
Jack Russell
Instead of a dog like a Jack Russell, why not a the real thing? I have a Jack and she is the greatest dog I have ever owned. They need alot of training but they are really some dog. My Jack as no idea that she is a little dog. She loves to canoe and sits with her paws over the bow of my canoe. We paddle together and when she see rapids she comes back and sits next to me. I think any dog would do fine, but I really like Jacks.
Cocker spaniel is a fine canoe dog.
Good swimmers, generally love water, and are fun retrievers. Leads out about 20-30 ft on portage trail, waits if you stop, doesn’t wander away, very trainable and intelligent. Excellent at staying and waiting. Larger cocker spaniels have an intimidating big-dog bark and are alert but not aggressive watchdogs. Can follow trail back to your car if lost. Not good in wet winter weather but tough little dogs. Disclaimer: all dogs are different.
Mixed Breed
– Last Updated: Nov-01-04 11:40 PM EST –
I can't gush on enough at how happy I am to spend time on and off the water with both of my mixed breed rescued street dogs.
Ruthie is a 20 lb Daschund and Rat Terrier who is an amazing adventerous little dog. Her only fault is that she loves to be where the action is and is often in the way.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/64199922/64382849YkooLi
http://community.webshots.com/photo/64199922/64200080ziQmIX
Molly is a 50 lb Lab and Pitbull mix who makes friends everywhere she goes. As well she is extremely patient with just sitting in the boat for hours.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/100181084/100182423DtQtvr
http://community.webshots.com/photo/177025495/177032539QOhcIY
Neither dog initialy liked paddling. It took some time but now they both love it.
get a lab!
My wife’s brother is a vet and they have a Jack Russell (Betty). They’ve called our black lab a “giant Jack Russell”. And her 70 pounds adds a lot more glide to the boat than a JR would. Plus - she can carry a small pack (and loves to).
You need a dog that’s big enough to rest their chin on the rails so they can watch the world go by while laying down. My Hemlock SRT solo was actually too deep for my lab. So maybe you’ll need to get a kayak or a Rob Roy so your puppy has a good view.
Hey string
yeah get a small dog, Panzer needs a new Chew toy!! L actually he gets along with puppys really well, heck he plays with my cats…
Thanks for the responses
– Last Updated: Nov-02-04 9:44 AM EST –
everyone.You've given me a lot to think about. Mrs. String does not know about this 'conversation'. After our last 2 dogs died, we had decided that was it but I really miss watching the joy that a dog brings to outside activities.The Border Terrier sounds interesting and I have had really good luck with pound puppies.Over the years we have had a terrier mix(best dog ever),a peekapoo, a Llasa(BAD mistake),a Golden Retriever,and a A Brittany(wonderful dog).
I also like the Boykin Spaniel.
Boykin Spaniel
We purchased a Boykin 2 years ago (nearly to the day). He is a riot to have around. We have yet to get him acclimated to a canoe, but that is our hope. He’s a jumper, so I’ve been quite leary about the canoe - especially with an 8 year-old in the boat too. If this summer had been better (warmer), we would have made a greater attempt at getting him out in the boat. That is our goal. I know we’ll be swimming when we do try it. You won’t find a kinder, gentler dog who is so willing to please. We had an American Water Spaniel before, but never got her out in a boat. Boykin’s do have American Water Spaniel in them and look very similar. Good luck with the hunt. You best tell Mrs. String soon! My husband bought the Boykin with a 3 day notice to me - guess who takes care of him?