| Dogs have served as mascots on sailboats, Coast | | | | All dogs experience fatigue after short periods in |
| Guard and Navy ships, and square riggers. But | | | | cold water, high sea waves, or strong currents. |
| how do you know if your dog would make a | | | | Those out of shape or unhealthy, succumb much |
| great companion for coastal sailing? | | | | faster. |
| Look for these water dog characteristics | | | | How to choose a dog life jacket |
| Does your friend take to the water or not? To | | | | The US Coast Guard sets personal flotation |
| find out, engage in a game of fetch with a rubber | | | | device (pfd) standards for humans, but not for |
| ball. A great water dog fetches the ball with gusto | | | | canines. Every owner must make their own |
| every time! But if he or she shies away from the | | | | decision as to whether to carry a life saving |
| game, leave Fido with a friend before you cast | | | | device for their dog. Here are three facts based |
| off. | | | | on tests conducted by Boat US: |
| If you're in the market for a new canine | | | | 1. Dog life jackets keep the dog horizontal, |
| companion, look over this short list of well | | | | without tilting the head back. This position holds |
| seasoned boat dogs: | | | | the canine in the normal swim position, where the |
| * Portuguese Water Dog | | | | dog lifts the nose to breathe. |
| * English Springer Spaniel | | | | 2. Most dog flotation jackets fasten at the chest |
| * Golden Retriever | | | | and around the neck. For comfort, look for a vest |
| * Labrador Retriever | | | | with chest straps wider than 1". |
| * Border Collie | | | | 3. All dog life jackets come with a lifting strap on |
| * American Water Spaniel | | | | the back. Work out a recovery method in case |
| Consider dog buoyancy and health | | | | your dog falls overboard. You might disconnect |
| All dogs are not created equal, which means | | | | the boom vang from the mast and attach the |
| some swim and some don't. The less body fat, | | | | lower snap shackle to the back strap. Make |
| the less buoyancy. A tubby pooch may float like | | | | preparations ahead of time to be ready for the |
| a cork. Dogs bred for water fowl retrieval have | | | | unexpected. |
| more body fat. On the other hand, leaner dogs | | | | Take care in your choice of a canine companion |
| like the Doberman or boxer often sink like a | | | | to bring aboard your small cruising sailboat. After |
| stone. | | | | all, he or she--like any sailboat crew--will depend |
| Older, overweight dogs or those with health | | | | on the sailing skipper for their for safety at sea. |
| problems could be in trouble if they fall overboard. | | | | |