Do you and you dog love spending time together? Are you both avid paddle boarders who enjoy long rides across the lake? Then you’re going to want to learn all about the best paddle board for dogs that are perfect for stand-up paddle boarding with your best friend. 
It’s important to have a good board that you and your dog can rely on, especially if this is your go to mutual bonding activity. You want to make sure it is one that will last, be safe for the both of you and provide the best features for an enjoyable ride.
How to Choose Your Paddle Board
Let’s address the basics first: how to choose the best paddle board for dogs.
There are several style options for paddle boards out there, surf, all-purpose, touring, inflatable, racing, and yoga being the most common.
To decide which of these you will need, you need to determine the type of activity you enjoy doing on the water while your dog is with you. Do you enjoy moving fast? Do you want to take a leisurely ride across the lake? Are you taking rapids in a river? Or are you working on your balance?
Most of these boards are exactly what they sound like. Surf boards are typically built for riding waves in the ocean while racing boards are meant for speed and agility.
The best paddle board for dogs is going to be some type of all-purpose or touring board. Both boards made for a variety of activities on the water.
But there are so many options beyond that! You have options for width, length, thickness, construction material and fins. How do you know where to begin? Here is a brief look at each of these features before we go into the best paddle board for dogs.
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The width of the board determines how stable it is. The wider it is, the more stable it will be. A 30-inch board is recommended as a good start for beginners.
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The length of the board determines the speed. The longer the board, the faster it will go. But shorter boards will turn better.
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The thickness of the board affects stability as well. The thicker the board, the more stable it is and the higher it floats.
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Heavier and more inexperience paddle boarders will want a thicker board.
The construction material varies a little, but the most common construction is foam wrapped in plastic or other composites. This is typically where the price varies, depending on the materials used in construction.
Fins are optional for most boards. A typical board will have a single, removable fin, but other options such as tri-fin or thrusters are available for paddle boards as well.
Now that you’ve got the basics we’ve found the best paddle boards on the market for the next time you take your dog out on the water.
Best Paddle Board for Dogs
When it comes to choosing a board for you and your pup, you can’t be too careful. These are some of the best options out there. Here are our top 3 picks:
The Sampson
With thousands of options out there for stand-up paddle boards, this company decided to come together to create a line of paddle boards especially made for riding with dogs. Paddle Dog Boards offers “The Sampson” for avid doggy paddle boarders. This certainly is a top contender for the best paddle board for dogs.
The Sampson, name after an adventurous dog, is a stable and durable board made for long-term paddle boarding with man’s best friend.
With a length of 10’10”, this board is equipped with a carved out handle for easy transport and an EVA deck pad with cushion and traction for paddling. A 5MM bamboo veneer was added to this board for sleekness and strength. A gore text vent plug prevent delimitation. A 1/8-inch basswood stringer runs through the center of the board, providing strength and flexibility. The core of the board is Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) which is a foam cell that is extremely buoyant.
Paddle Dog Boards is a popular choice and most reviewers gave their boards 5 star reviews. Who wouldn’t love a paddle board created for enjoyment with your pet?
This board is available through Paddle Dog Boards for $1099.
Tower Paddle Boards Adventurer Inflatable 9’10”
This traditionally styled paddle board through Tower is certainly the least costly of these options, selling for $594 here on Amazon.com
This is another stable and beginner-friendly option that you are sure to love. While it is designed for beginners on flat water, it won’t hold you back if you want to progress to faster waters and a few 4-5 foot waves. This board will float 350 pounds worth of paddler, pooch and gear
The weight of the board is 25 pounds, making it easy for transport. The dimensions are 5.91 x 31.89 x 118.11 inches.
Reviewers of this board love the stability and ease of starting out for new-time paddlers.
ISLE Versa Epoxy Paddle Board
ISLE’s newest board has more than a hundred 5-star reviews. It has great stability, making it perfect for beginners. One review said “the 16-year-old who had never been on a SUP before today, stood up easily and rode it for over an hour.” Reviewers also love how lightweight the board is, making for easy transport to and from the water.
We love the stability of this board. You don’t want your dog to get scared on the water, so stability and their comfort is of the utmost importance when it comes to choosing a board to ride with them.
This board checks in at 10’5, a good length for riding with any pet. It is stable, versatile and safe for all conditions. It has thermal molded construction which makes it stronger than the standard epoxy board in the industry. This specific board is available in three signature ISLE designs that will make it stand out among others.
For the rather steep price of $1,300 this board can be yours. Included in the purchase is an adjustable carbon and plastic paddle as well as a center box fin, ISLE even guarantees their products for 30 days.
Currently on their site ISLE is offering free shipping on this board. Financing options are available as well, making this an easy purchase to start bonding with your dog on the water.
Wrap Up
For more options in your search for the best paddle board for dogs, check out Tower Paddle Boards, Paddle Dog Boards and ISLE.
Finding a safe, good quality paddle board is the number one priority when it comes to riding the water with your precious loved ones. Be sure to take into consideration the type of activity you will be engaging in most with your dog and go from there.
Good luck in your doggy paddle board endeavors!
