Ron Bexel
Best Dog-friendly Kayaks – What’s the point of experiencing the joy of kayaking if you can’t share them with the best friend in the world: of course, your four-legged furry friend? So, my mission is to introduce you to the best kayaks for dogs and help you choose…
Sam is the founder and editor of . With over 20 years of experience in a variety of water sports, he provides trusted opinions and expert advice to help others follow their passion for getting out on the water. When he’s not working, you can find him kayaking, canoeing, or planning the next water adventure with family and friends.
Best Dog-friendly Kayaks
What’s the point of experiencing the joy of kayaking if you can’t share them with the best friend in the world: of course, your four-legged furry friend?
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Therefore, my mission is to introduce you to the best kayaks for dogs and help you choose what you and your pup like!
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In general, yes, kayaking with a dog is safe, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to plan, plan, practice and be prepared. It is like kayaking with children.
There are a lot of things you need to take care of first, starting with getting to know your dog and getting him used not only in the water but also in the kayak.
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You can’t throw your dog in a kayak and expect him to know what it is, how it works, or what you’re going to do with it.
No matter how shiny your dog is, from his perspective, my kayak is nothing more than a big, weird piece of plastic. Of course, they are a little embarrassed – and even threatened – by this.
One tip I offer is to start slow, be patient, and give your dog time to explore, smell, and get comfortable with the kayak.
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Here are some tips on how to kayak with your dog and make the trip as safe as possible for everyone involved, human and otherwise:
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Some kayaks are marketed as “dog friendly” and that certainly makes your choice easier, but it’s not always easy.
Many of my top picks don’t mention dogs anywhere. But does not marketing them as dogs mean they are less friendly?
The design, features and specifications of the kayak, along with a few other factors, are more important than the dog’s trademark. I’ll get into the details in a second, but let’s start by looking at the best types of kayaks for dogs.
You may be surprised that inflatable kayaks are not on the list. I don’t blame you if you’re wondering:
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THERE IS! There is no reason to doubt the durability or safety of inflatable kayaks, not with recent advances in manufacturing technology and improvements in overall design.
Today’s inflatables are fragile. The risk of injury and puncture is small, even walking around your dog’s legs.
As I explained earlier, kayaks are rarely called “friend dogs”, but that does not always mean that they will not be safe for you and your children.
So if you were hoping that this whole thing about choosing the best kayak for dogs was as simple as finding one for sale as a dog, I’m afraid I have some bad news for you.
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This does not mean that choosing the best kayak for dogs will be difficult. It is about identifying the most important features, such as those mentioned below.
Most plastic kayaks, made of high quality polyethylene, are durable enough to withstand your dog’s claws and teeth. In the worst case, the kayak will end up with small and cosmetic scratches.
But if you’re going to buy a hard shell kayak, I don’t recommend fiberglass – and composite in general – no matter how good it looks.
On the one hand, they spent a lot of money. And two, regular kayaks are prone to scratches, making them a poor choice for paddlers with dogs.
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Inflatable kayaks can be a safe option, as I explained earlier. However, you need to make sure that the kayak is made of durable material, such as high denier vinyl.
Stability is undoubtedly one of the most important features of a dog friendly kayak, second only to the stability of a real kayak.
I’m sure dog parents already know this well and don’t need me to point out the obvious, but here’s the thing:
You can’t expect your four-legged friend to stay safe in a small plastic boat for hours.
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The sooner you realize that the dog rarely sits down and doesn’t go well from start to finish, the better.
This is why it is important to have a kayak that is durable – and the size of the kayak is often a good indicator of this. In addition to the length of the kayak, the width – or width – of the kayak is something you’ll want to consider if you’re hoping to increase stability.
In general, checking the capacity of your kayak should determine how much weight you will be carrying on an average trip and leave some wiggle room for unexpected, if unknown, or unexpected situations. that?
Yes, you still have to do all of this, but you also have to take your dog’s size and weight into account, especially if your dog is small.
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So, grab your dog, step on the scale, and write down your combined weight. So, estimate the approximate weight of your tools and equipment and add that to the total as well.
First up is Ocean Kayak’s Malibu Two, a stand-up paddleboard kayak. There are a few twists on kayak construction that make it a great choice for dog owners:
It supports solo and tandem paddling, although it allows you to add a third passenger, be it a child or a dog. On that note, it has a towing capacity of 425 pounds.
Your dog may not think about the Comfort Plus seat or its four-way adjustment, but I’m sure you will. For your dog, he’ll love the comfort and spaciousness of an open, sit-on-top kayak and the stability provided by the 34-inch beam.
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It’s a bit heavy, 57 pounds, but since it’s a two-person kayak, I wouldn’t say it’s too heavy. In fact, it makes perfect sense for a tandem.
If you want a sit-on-top kayak that’s also dog-friendly, look no further than the Ocean Kayak Malibu Two. It’s a fun branch that welcomes the whole family!
I’ll tell you that Sea Eagle’s 420X Explorer Pro is a beautiful, incredible, very confident and very durable inflatable kayak, but let me talk about its features and specifications.
It is made of reinforced 1000 denier PVC with overlapping seams, three compartments and a high pressure floor. In addition, there are 16 self-priming drain valves, 26 D-ring fasteners, and an eye load of 855 pounds.
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Still, it weighs 44 pounds, giving you and your dog all the flexibility and space of a large kayak, without the hassle of transportation.
My only complaint with the 420X Explorer Pro is that it costs a bit more, but for what you’re getting, that shouldn’t be a problem.
The 420X Explorer Pro from Sea Eagle is a cut above the rest of the inflatable kayak segment on the market and a premium dog kayak in every way imaginable.
Want to go on a kayak fishing trip with your dog? Well, the Perception Pescador Pro 12 could be the perfect kayak for you.
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Since this is a kayak designed for anglers, the combined drive train, rod and 375-pound capacity should come as no surprise.
The 64-pound weight, however, may be because you can’t ask your four-legged friend to help with transportation.
You will have a beach chair with double adjustment and your dog will enjoy all the comfort of the open area and bow. Yes, you have to give up storage space on board for this, but you still get a large storage space with a bungee cord in the back.
If you like to fish and want to bring your dog, the Pescador Pro 12 from Perception is a durable and comfortable sit-on-top kayak that you should try!
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The Sea Eagle 370 Pro is not only one of the most popular inflatable kayaks on the market today, but it is also one of the best options for dog paddles.
It is spacious, comfortable and durable, and with a load capacity of 650 pounds, it can hold three people. Or, in your case, a man and a big dog.
The shell of the kayak is made of 38-millimeter PolyKrylar – or K80 PVC – making the Sea Eagle 370 Pro tear-resistant and very durable.
