Canal holidays are great for dogs: lots of walks along the
towpath; people and other dogs to meet; and their owners where
they can be seen and organised. And of course no pet passport is
needed, and they can get here in their own car.
Altogether
much better than kennels.
Pet charges
The first pet is free. Any more cost £25 each per week or part week.
What to bring
Your dog's usual basket may be too big to fit on the boat without being in the way, but if you bring its usual bedding it will be quite happy.
Please bring some covers for our seating if your dog is used to going on seats or beds.
Some dogs come with cages. There's usually room for these in the saloon, though a big cage will make it impossible to put the table up. Please ask for details of particular boats.There are some bags on the boat to clean up mess from the towpath, but please bring some of your own as well. Locals really appreciate dog owners who clear up.
Things to watch out for
When working locks, it is essential to have at least one person concentrating on the boat, and one person concentrating on the lock. This means that if you have a crew of two, neither of you can also concentrate on your dog. You know your dog, so you can work out the best strategy. If your dog will not be happy wandering about on its own, or tends to get under people's feet, then either shut it in the boat, or moor it up to a convenient point on the lockside.
When dogs are shut in the boat for locks and so on, they tend to scratch the doors or windows trying to attract attention or escape, particularly if they are a bit frightened. Please see Gange's advice opposite: your dog might be happier on the lockside.
If your dog tends to shed hair, it will stick to our carpets. Handy tip to clean it up: use an old trainer to wipe the hair into clumps that you can sweep up.
The great outdoors
The towpath provides a continuous traffic-free walking ground for your dog (though bear in mind that road bridges are fairly frequent, which lead very suddenly into the real world of cars).
On many parts of our local waterways, you have easy access to
the moors. This open land will generally be 'access land'. Your
dog can enjoy such areas off its lead, except between 31 March
and 31 July and at all times near livestock (generally sheep),
when it must be kept on a lead no longer than 2m. There might be
additional local restrictions - look out for notices by gates
and stiles.
Always keep your dog away from livestock and
birds - chasing ducks may be fun for the dog, but it isn't for
the ducks!
Other animals
Hamsters
Please put hamster cages where they can't chew right through the curtains. We say this from painful experience!
Rabbits
There's room in the front cockpit for a cage - we can provide measurements on request.
Cats
Cats can walk along the gunwales, and get on and off the boat much better than dogs (though they don't swim well). Cats really are apt to wander off and not return, so though they are fairly common on houseboats, it's quite risky to bring your cat on holiday unless it stays in a cage.
Birds
There's usually room for a fair-sized cage in the saloon. Please ask for details of your particular boat.
Goldfish
We've not had one yet, but friends in another fleet had one once. Its bowl was put in the window so it could enjoy the view...
