What is the ideal canoe dog for a solo canoeist?

Bob B. said:

Glenn,

Gerald pretty much hit the nail on the head, excellent post. I will add my thought process for the choice of my own tripping dog.

My dog is a Vizsla. He loves to portage and explore. He works close to me, we have voice and hand signals we use in the timber on canoe trips. These dogs do vocalize, but usually only when they try to talk to their owners, they are not much for being yappers. Jake is very attentive and responsive to me. He is great in the canoe … but we started training the day after I brought him home at 8 weeks. His first trip was at 6 months, he was really excited and ready.

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So I believe the most important thing in getting a canoe dog - is the training and relationship you have with it. You two have to click. Behavior and the desire to "get it right" are important. Then all it takes it time ... and lots of it, but if the dog is your best buddy then spending time and training is a win anyway.

To my mind, a medium sized dog is ideal for canoe trim and tent space. Also, the less the dog eats means the less you have to carry to provision yourself and the dog. On longer solo trips, that weight and pack space can matter.

I used to only be able to trip in the spring, and that means unstable weather - can be cold and wet. A Vizsla loves to cuddle under the covers ( I use a blanket, no sleeping bag). His warmth by my feet is welcomed on chilly nights. View attachment 128890

Further a Vizsla dries off VERY quickly, so no wet dog slime in the tent, or wet dog smell either! However, they do get cold easily especially when raining with much wind, and insects can really get to them as they do not have an under coat. Accommodations must be made with a dog like this.View attachment 128891View attachment 128892

All this said, I do not think I ever want to go an a trip without my best buddy Jake. We are a great team and as soon as I get my gear out - he looses his mind, he is so excited to go on another adventure. He loves fishing ...View attachment 128893

... exploring new water ...View attachment 128894

... portaging ...View attachment 128899

... or just snoozing in the canoe on a nice day ....View attachment 128895

after consideration of the size of dog you want, then I think one needs to determine the activity level of themselves and that of the dog. Once there is a match, then take your dog everywhere, build that relationship and socialize them. Day trips turn to week plus adventures ... and your time together becomes something words struggle to describe. View attachment 128897

Good luck with your search.

Bob.

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Glenn MacGrady said:

I know many of you are in love with and likely biased toward YOUR present or past canine companions, but I'm looking for an objective evaluation of an ideal breed, size, weight, temperament, hair type, bear and critter-scaring, water loving or not, dog for a solo canoeist's first canoe dog.

I've had dogs all my life until the past six years when my last German Shepard died, but I never took any on overnight canoe trips. As an aging codger with diminishing paddling companions, I'm thinking of getting another dog specifically to take canoeing. I can't decide whether a water dog would be preferable to a non-water dog. My Golden Retrievers liked water so much they were hard to keep in my canoe on short day trips. My little Lhasa Apso was a nervous, yapping PITA. My German Shepards were too heavy for a solo canoe, in my opinion, too nervous and too unfriendly with strangers.

I'd like a dog that is calm enough to be quiet in a canoe and with a temperament that won't constantly pester, much less attack, strangers or camp companions. I don't want a dog so big that it would radically tip the canoe every time it moves—in my case, I'm talking about 14'-15.5', fairly narrow solo canoes. I don't want a dog that hates and avoids water, but I'm not sure I want a constant swimmer either. Don't want a constant barker, but would like one brave enough to scare away small critters and serve as a bear alarm and deterrent.

Recommendations?

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