Taking along man's best friend on your boating trip could be a great adventure for both you and him/her. For your furry friend boating is like riding in his dream convertible with a blast of sun and fresh air from all directions. Nose in the air, ears blowing in the wind and his/her favorite people; what could be better!

Most all dogs have mastered the famous "Doggie Paddle" but it's always important to stay as safe as possible. Your dog should always wear a life jacket when both in and near the water. That holds true even for breeds of dogs that traditionally love the water and take to swimming quite easily. Such breeds include the following: American Water Spaniel, Barbet, Boykin Spaniel, Bedlington Terrier, Cantabrian Water Dog, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Curly Coated Retriever, Epagneul Pont-Audemer, Flat-Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Lagotto Romagnolo (a.k.a Italian Water Dog), Münsterländer (large and small), Nova Scotia Duck Toller, Otterhound, Portuguese Water Dog, Spanish Water Dog, Standard Poodle, Newfoundland , Puli, Wetterhound

When taking your dog on water related outings it's important to keep the following five items in mind.

• A towel just for your dog

• A shirt or sweater made out of water-resistant material

• A non - spill water bowl and lots of fresh bottled to put in it

• A pooper-scooper and a trash bag or two

• A life jacket for your dog

Another tip to consider is shade for your friend. Even though your dog may have many opportunities to jump into the water, it's important he/she has a cool relaxing place for resting. Boat surfaces, such as fiberglass, can get extremely hot in the sun. Dogs absorb heat through the pads on their feet so be sure to protect them. Your dog will surely be enjoying himself/herself so much that excitement could hide the fact he/she is overheated.

Now that you have most everything covered pick the perfect day to go have that amazing adventure with your whole family! Always keeping safety first, your dog is bound to have the time of his/her life. Enjoy your trip!

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