Our lab is 14 1/2 years and healthy. But we are starting to plan for our next dog. We are leaning towards a sheltie. Do you like them for canoe dogs? We like that they are smaller and should fit in the canoe better than our lab. And they have a double coat so should be warmer in the rain. Thoughts?

I’ve never owned a Sheltie but there’s a couple in my neighborhood. For me they would be too small. I have a border collie female at 50 lbs and she’s athletic enough to get in and out herself. Border collies are incredibly smart and athletic dogs and they DO need exercise daily but to me it’s the perfect canoeing companion. But obviously I’m biased. :)

Size- that should be fine- my canoe dog is 30 pounds and fine for the adventure! But the coat.....unless you plan to have them sleep outside your tent, they are going to stay wet for a loooong time.

I’ve have an eighty five pound lab. He’s a good boy but consumes an enormous amount of food and takes up half the canoe. Believe it or not my twelve pound chihuahua/rat terrier was my favorite canoe dog. She could do anything my lab can but the constant swimming

dogwoodgirl: "Size- that should be fine- my canoe dog is 30 pounds and fine for the adventure! But the coat.....unless you plan to have them sleep outside your tent, they are going to stay wet for a loooong time."

good point! I didn't think about that part. But I do have ways to deal with wet dogs in the tent.

Ok I just found a post on a sheltie forum where they say you need to brush your shelty after it is done swimming or after when it is wet. This will dry the undercoat faster. Thanks for the heads up, I never would have thought of this.

link to sheltie forum

Our old dog had a double coat, but he HATED swimming so it was never an issue for us. Luckily for him our BWCA trips we daytime rain-free so he didn't have to wear the poncho we brought to protect him from rain (he hated rain too).

It still remains to be seen if Leo likes it (he has a double coat, too). He doesn't seem to mind rain though.

Bilbo loves the rain and snow. If we would let him, he would be outside all day in it. I'm thinking we won't need to worry about him being cold on our adventures

First canoe trip with Bilbo was a success. He loved every part of it. So for us I guess the answer is... Yes shelties make good canoe dogs.