row2k Features
Photo Poll
Favorite Boathouse Dog
July 22, 2009
Erik Dresser, row2k.com

Below are the 15 finalists selected for row2k's latest photo poll, Favorite Boathouse Dog. row2k received forty nominations, and it was extremely difficult to narrow down to 15 (our poll maximum limit) as all dogs were worthy of selection. row2k even received nominations for two different Chesapeake Bay Retrievers named Tucker. Photo gallery for all the other nominees online now, including one cat nomination that is a must see!

Based on the following criteria, the fifteen finalist are listed below with the poll at the bottom of the page:

  • Photo of the Dog (preferrable at the boathouse)
  • Dog's Name
  • Boathouse/Club Affliation
  • Short description of why your boathouse dog is the best.

    Finalists listed in alphabetical order. Click on the each thumbnail to view a larger photo.

    Daisy is our winner, to view the poll results, go here.

    BUCKLEY
    Head of the Charles/Cambridge BC
    Without the tireless effort and copious drool of Buckley, the Head Of The Charles Regatta would not be possible. The Official Hound of the Head Of The Charles puts in endless hours in the regatta office, working side-by-side with the office staff, Board of Directors, and Race Committee. Buckley provides not only mental and emotional support for his associates during the busy weeks leading up to America’s Fall Rowing Festival, but also serves as Regatta K-9 Liaison and official HOCR Sniffer. In Buckley, one finds the true spirit of rowing and the HOCR (and usually a pair of socks).

    CALVIN
    Elk Lake Boathouse/Canadian National Team
    Calvin is the best dog because he rides in the coach boat and barks at every 250m buoy so the rowers who aren't on the buoy line know where they are on the course. Calvin also plays fetch with any stick there is. Calvin is so pressed for sticks that sometimes he shows up with a woodchip, you have to say, "Calvin, thats not a stick, get a BETTER stick!" Then he comes back with a whole tree limb. He'll even run and jump over rowing shells on the dock to get to a stick in the water. Also, he loves the boathouse so much that when Terry is on a trip and Calvin can't come to the boathouse, he sits at home very sad and doesn't play, will only come up from his basement to eat and never barks. Calvin lives for the boathouse and is happiest when he's there.

    DAISY
    Michigan Men/Penn AC
    Daisy is not just a boathouse dog, she is the ideal rower. She took to the sport immediately as a puppy, whether I was going out in my single, coaching in the launch, or leading land workouts, she was there by my side. She, like all of my best rowers, wakes up each morning excited to get on the water, sniff her team, and improve her technical understanding such as knowing her port from her starboard. She inspires the crew with her affectionate hugs and cheerful bark, and I can trust that just one sight of Daisy is enough to keep their spirits up and push through any piece. On a side note, her own personal training continues in the lightweight single in preparation for World Trials.

    HENRY
    Georgia Tech RC/St. Andrew RC
    While some people discount Henry when they meet him for the first time because of his size, within a minute, they are amazed with his abilities and always change their minds about him. He loves balls of all kinds, it doesn't matter how big they are, Henry will take them on and usually end up popping them. The rowers bring him balls they find in the river, so there is never a shortage of playthings for him at the boathouse. He loves riding in the launch, chasing geese off the dock, and learning new tricks that the rowers come up with in their free time!

    Henry attends all regattas with us and we have had people come up and say they know Henry, but we have no idea who they are! Henry just got back from coaching the Southeast Dev Camp and Henry was so depressed to leave the 24/7 world of rowing, he has been moping for days!

    HUDSON
    Gonzaga College HS/F.I.T./Georgetown/Skidmore
    Hudson has been a boathouse dog since he was 8 weeks old and was featured as row2k's Photo of the Day on October 6, 2008. He has adapted well to high school rowing, as the food tents are second-to-none and crew moms are suckers for his wagging tail and droopy ears. Hudson is most well known for carrying water bottles around the boathouse and regatta events, making sure everyone stays hydrated. Hudson is friends with everyone around the boathouse (with the exception of the occasional squirrel).

    KOKO
    White Rock Boathouse
    Koko is a great crew dog because, in addition to having her own set of sculls, and beyond loving and being loved by everyone at WRBH, Koko stood up to The Man on behalf of her fellow crew dogs. After being ticketed for being off her leash at the lake during an early spring practice, Koko refused to plead guilty, demanded a jury trial, went to court -- and won. No self-respecting crew dog would be leashed at the boathouse, and no self-respecting jury would convict a dog who had the gumption to find a lawyer to help her beat the rap. In the weeks leading up to the trial, Koko would show up at the boathouse for practice and all the crewfolk would yell "Free Koko!" On top of that, she does an amazing full-speed dive off the dock.

    KONA
    Casperson Rowing Center/PNRA
    Kona is a true boathouse mascot and has literally grown up at the boathouse. She earns her keep by keeping the docks goose free while befriending everyone at the boathouse. As an assistant Peddie coach, Kona will keep a coaches lap warm on a cold day in the launch and has been known to abandon the coaching launch, swimming over to give her critique to rowers in their shells. Kona's son Jake is also a boathouse dog.

    LUNA
    Alabama Crew Club/Black Warrior RC
    With her special howl and happy 5 am tail-wagging greetings, Luna is always around the boats and rowers. She has become a symbol of rowing for most everyone and for those who haven't seen me in a long time, I'm always asked "how's LUNA!?" followed with a "and how are you?"

    MADISON
    Malvern Prep
    Madison is a dog that can not survive without a day at the river. She is a staple at our warehouse at 601 Washington Street, Conshohocken, PA. She is part of the Malvern Prep Rowing team. What makes Madison different, is that she is not a bog lab or golden or any other mid to large size dog. Madison is a 6 pound pure breed Papillon. Whether it is the hot of the august summer or the ice on her face during the cold winters of Philly, Madison would rather be no where except in the launch on down by the river.

    MAIZY
    Potomac Boat Club
    Superior dock leaping abilities, strong swimmer, excellent balance, and she's clearly more attractive than Sam Stitt.

    MARLI
    Oregon State
    Marli has been at a boathouse dog at Oregon State nearly everyday since she was adopted as a puppy 5 years ago. Marli jumps out of the truck every day and makes a quick lap around the facility to check for rabbits. She can even call the start of a race. 5..4..3..2..1.. Attention! RUFF!!! The first time this happened the guys nearly lost it, as one of our Seniors jumped the start on Marli’s “call” while the rest of the boat (knowing that the human voice calls the start) waited for the actual call. That start had to be redone, after a few laughs. Marli also has the remarkable ability to pee while doing a full handstand. It's quite a sight!

    PIPER
    Wisconsin
    Piper is red like the school colors of Wisconsin. She loves swimming, keeping the docks duck free, and being in the launch. Most importantly, she's got a super sharp technical eye and incredible fitness.

    STUMP
    William & Mary/Hampton Roads RC/U. of Cincinnati
    Always available to console rowers after tough selection and loses. And always ready celebrate great races and stimulate the fundraising or recruiting base. In his tenure Stump travelled to 44 states and 6 Provinces with the Trailer in tow. Stump was also a pioneering figure in rowing dog safety, advocating use of the NRS dog lifejacket to increase accident prevention. Stump passed away on June 13 of this year.

    TUCKER
    Wayland-Weston RA
    Tucker is a champion swimmer, and has a trademark dock-leap. He stampedes down the 8's dock at full speed and leaps off the end easily clearing it by 10+ feet in pursuit of a stick or tennis ball. He also gets very excited during racing starts and will occasionally start whining during countdown starts. He also weighs about the same as our coxswains, and has occasionally tried to steal their spot in the boat.

    YAMPA
    U-Penn/PTC/OSU/Washington
    Has yet to bite an athlete. Loves to drink sweat from the erg floor after practice. Eliminates pesky squirrels and vermin from boathouse(s). Has been to every state (lower 48) while towing boats.
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    Comments

    Log in to comment
    (unknown)
    10/04/2010  10:26:35 AM
    I just saw this old thread and noticed the posting about Fin Meislahn's "Charlie". A beautiful and friendly Golden Retriever, she (as in Bitch) was a gift to Fin by the crews from my generation... sometime around 1977 or 78. A great dog indeed.


    iheartrowing
    07/31/2009  1:56:22 PM
    watch the best boathouse dog CALVIN with Olympic Gold Medalist Adam Kreek and Malcolm Howard.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GT85Q4KtiU&feature=channel 


    primetime
    07/29/2009  5:35:05 PM
    RIP Sadie! Best boathouse dog ever, even if row2k editors don't agree.


    LNJ
    07/29/2009  10:50:32 AM
    Thanks to Row 2K for this fun contest and more importantly to all the rowing groups enlightened enough to realize the benefit of having a good dog around the boat house. Some clubs operate under rules for the lowest common denominator not allowing dogs, and it's a shame. You folks know better! Chasing vermin, cleaning the floors, love and support; dogs do it all at the boathouse.


    SteveState
    07/29/2009  6:24:18 AM
    Entries for World Trials are closed and Daisy isn't entered in the light single. Looks like she is a real quitter...not a quality you would find in Yampa


    neverletup
    07/29/2009  12:25:21 PM
    I heard her entry was denied because she was "just a dog"...will the hate never end?



    rhett
    07/28/2009  11:45:58 AM
    I nominated Bert? Why isn't he up there?


    BowBalla
    07/28/2009  7:51:03 AM
    I don't care what anyone says...Buttercup aka The Cup got the shaft.


    dwiggin3
    07/28/2009  6:40:44 AM
    Ah, Hudson's the best. No inappropriate licking, doesn't hump the ladies, always managers to hit the bushes when doing his business and won't abandon you when other dogs come around. What more could a girl want.


    JD
    07/25/2009  12:13:45 PM
    I also wish to submit that any dog named "Rigger" or Henley" , no matter how loyal, be immediately removed from the competition.


    sul
    10/16/2009  1:53:34 PM
    what about a "rigger" with only 3 legs? I'm no fan of BH dogs, but watching rigger try to piss by lifting the good leg was pretty funny...

    Jocko's "Buddy" was all-time for sure.



    joewain04
    07/24/2009  9:22:45 PM
    Marli is in the hall of fame of boathouse dogs. she is not nominated simply out of fairness for the other dogs.


    ChuckYah
    07/23/2009  3:11:12 PM
    Buddy from Vesper was a great dog, but my nominee for FBD is Cornell Coach Fin Meislahn's golden retriever "Charlie", circa 1979. A fixture at the Cornell boathouse, he was super friendly, very loyal, and always wet. He'd drop his favorite tennis ball at your feet, and stare you down until you threw it in the lake. He'd then execute a picture perfect, full speed racing dive off the dock, which earned him the nickname "Charlie the Wonder Dog". Only thing missing was a cape.

    Anyone have a picture of Charlie?


    JD
    07/25/2009  12:14:52 PM
    Any freind of Fin's is a friend indeed.



    joewain04
    07/23/2009  2:05:09 PM
    how many dogs are there that can be used to call "attention: row"?


    papabear
    07/23/2009  1:11:32 PM
    Yampa pwns Marli.


    SteveState
    07/23/2009  12:20:20 PM
    yo Tronix/SmokinHot. It's spelled M A R L I. Get it right


    rhett
    07/23/2009  9:47:14 AM
    Bert


    JD
    07/23/2009  9:41:02 AM
    Beg to differ, and I am sure Jaugstetter will agree. but there will never be a boathouse dog like the late, great "Buddy" at Vesper. I believe Buddy, a stray, was found underneath the dock or in the bushes at Vesper. He was chubby, scruffy, ragged and ear bitten, and stunk like the Schuykill scum on the hottest day of the year, even after a fresh wash. But Buddy was the most loyal dog I ever met. He was the butt of a million jokes and never got petted much, but he still loved everyone just the same. Buddy epitomized the many down and out oarsmen who put life on hold to treck to Vesper, eventually leaving with their own tails between their legs.

    John Davis Vesper '76


    BStock
    07/23/2009  1:11:59 PM
    JD, you couldn't be more right. Buddy was a stray and got hit by a car on East River Drive and had a broken leg, don't remember which one. Bob J took him to the animal hospital and paid to have him cared for. Buddy loved everyone on the Row. I would call to him from Bachelor's and he would come running with a limp he never got rid of. If he was in the coach's launch and you called to him from a boat, he would jump into the river and swim out to you. Then you were obligated to wash him down when you got back to the dock. He was fiercely loyal to Bob, who took great care of him. I named my single, "my buddy" after him.

    Barbara - Bachelor's '75, Vesper '76



    JD
    07/25/2009  12:18:59 PM
    Barb: Thanks for the more accurate history of Buddy. I knew he was Bob's BFF and a medical miracle. JD



    SmokinHot
    07/22/2009  9:56:05 PM
    Tronix is right. You go toe to toe with Marley and you lose, everytime. FACT


    Tronix
    07/22/2009  3:16:43 PM
    This competition is dumb. No dog will ever compete with Marley



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