For many people, man's best friend is also an indispensable crew member when sailing. However, having a dog on board also means new accessories: we have put together the ten most practical pieces of equipment for dogs here.
Life jacket
It is the most important item for the four-legged co-sailor: the lifejacket. Smaller dogs can be lifted on board using the carrying handle. A particularly sturdy model, which also has reflective strips and is easy to put on and take off, is the Ruffwear Float Coat .
Folding bowl
Especially in summer, it is important to always provide your dog with enough fresh water. A collapsible bowl is particularly suitable for this on board, as it won't fall over easily when travelling or can be stowed away quickly between meals. The Ruffwear Trail Runner bowl can be folded up particularly small and is also ultra-light.
Sleeping bag
Dogs sleep up to 18 hours a day and also need a cosy place on board. The Hurtta Outdoor Dreamer is a dog sleeping bag that is modelled on the dog's natural, curled-up sleeping position. Its inner lining reflects the dog's body heat, it is water-repellent, can be rolled up small and, unlike a blanket, hardly any hair sticks to it - just shake it out once.
The oval shape is also suitable for larger specimens. Ruffwear Highlands Sleeping Bag , which, unlike the Hurtta model, has a zip for easier entry. It also reflects the dog's body heat and is water-repellent.
Cooling waistcoat
On hot summer days, it can be dangerous for four-legged sailors to roast in the sun on deck. This is because dogs can also get sunburnt and also have difficulty regulating the heat by sweating. This is where a cooling waistcoat, such as the shorter Hurtta Cooling Vest or the slightly longer Ruffwear Jet Stream cooling jacket .
Telescopic ramp
Larger or older dogs in particular are often difficult to hoist on board - they have to walk over a plank from the jetty onto the boat themselves. A telescopic ramp such as the Trixie Petwalk . It can be folded up and therefore takes up less space in the back box when not in use.
Railing net
A railing net does not necessarily contribute to the well-being of the dog, but it does contribute significantly to its safety. It prevents the sailing four-legged friend from accidentally going overboard. Depending on the length of the boat and the height of the railing, there are very different models, such as the Donet railing net made of polypropylene.
First aid kit
Your four-legged friend can also get injured on board. Why you need an extra first aid kit for this case, such as the one from Trixie needs? Because in addition to the usual swabs, bandages and compresses, a mouth loop and tick tweezers are also included.
Artificial turf
If you don't want to miss out on longer strokes despite having your dog on board, you can use a piece of artificial turf such as the one from BringerPet because dogs don't normally do their business so easily in "their" territory. The dog can then - if it is properly trained and accepts the mat - do its business on it, and the mat can then be cleaned by dragging it behind on a lead for a while. Whether the dog accepts the mat is something you have to try out - and if not, refrain from using it for too long.
Floating toy
Nothing is worse than seeing your dog's toy slowly sink into the sea, never to be seen again. Therefore, a floating toy such as the Kong Aqua .
Safety light
Marking your dog with a lamp can be particularly helpful when walking along poorly lit footpaths in the evening. This way, nobody will stumble or get scared because the four-legged friend is visible from afar. The Rechargeable LED lamp from Ruffwearis waterproof and can also be attached to the dog's life jacket with a clip, thus providing additional safety if the dog jumps or falls into the water in the dark.
