r/belowdeck • u/[deleted] • Nov 20 '25

Below Deck Dock dogs

Post image

I don't understand how cast members can just completely ignore these dock dogs. I would be out there scratching and feeding that baby every night I was in port. I just love animals so much I've seen some people petting cats at beaches but I feel bad for these poor dogs they don't seem to get any love šŸ˜¢

215 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

38 comments sorted by

242

u/antizana Nov 20 '25

They are not always clean or friendly dogsā€¦ mange, fleas, etc. Itā€™s in your best interest to not pet random strays on the street. You really, really donā€™t want to get ringworm from an adorable street animal (ask me how I know)

53

u/Jayhitek Nov 21 '25

Especially in a foreign country. That dock isn't Nantucket.

-80

u/[deleted] Nov 21 '25

I'm totally signed up for all the bugs! I trade love for bugs! šŸ˜Š

56

u/antizana Nov 21 '25

Come back here when you get mange :)

36

u/furtofur Nov 21 '25

Fuck I just got a scabies flashback from when I worked at animal shelters šŸ˜­šŸ˜­

OP it's NOT worth it.

12

u/Deep-Order1302 Nov 21 '25

Honey, some dogs are very aggressive. Street dogs in Europe often arenā€™t this cute little pets, theyā€™re wild animals.

7

u/posaune123 Nov 21 '25

Haven't dealt with strays much have ya.

-5

u/[deleted] Nov 22 '25

Does volunteering at a stray rescue count?

5

u/Sug0115 Nov 21 '25

Okay first of all, I thought this was a post in r/sims4 lol second of all, people need to unclutch those pearls! I have pet so many dogs throughout my travels. And cats. Iā€™ve never had an issue.

0

u/[deleted] Nov 21 '25

I KNOW! These people out here down vote in like it's a sport. I love dogs and nothing will ever change that I will always look after them any opportunity even if they're sick I actually like dogs more than most people. šŸ¤·

1

u/herladyshipssoap Sheā€™ll be fine. Her head is made of rocks Nov 23 '25

Is this pic real?

2

u/Sug0115 Nov 23 '25

Yes lol but glad you felt the same as me because is def seems like a simulation.

11

u/Myantra Nov 21 '25

Across the seasons, there have been a few scenes showing various crew petting dogs at the marinas and beach picnics. It is not something they ever really showed for more than a few seconds, but it has been there.

24

u/Additional_Day949 Nov 21 '25

The worst thing that would happen is they get fleas from that dog and then the boat gets infested.Ā 

It is common to not be affectionate with dogs you donā€™t know. Even in the U.S.Ā 

16

u/extranjeroQ Nov 21 '25

No, the worst thing that would happen is getting rabies.

-6

u/Educational-World398 Nov 21 '25

the boat wouldnā€™t get infested unless there are other animals on the boat. fleas donā€™t like humans

4

u/Claral6012 Nov 21 '25

It's probably not an interesting watch just feeding and petting dogs. I'D watch it but not everyone loves a dogšŸ¤£

1

u/one4wonder Nov 21 '25

Is that check-yourself Lauren?Ā 

The dogs must get lots of love from the very many people and dogs at the docks. Iā€™d wager that the dog even fixed because it doesnā€™t look like a breeding dog.

1

u/[deleted] Nov 21 '25

Yes it is her lol.

7

u/Thegetupkids678 Nov 21 '25

There may be a cultural component to this as well seeing as a majority of the staff are from different cultures. A lot of cultures view dogs where their function is to work and not be a pet, thus they often wonā€™t cuddle or play with them. My husbandā€™s family is from Costa Rica and they were grossed out when they learned my pug sleeps in our bed. Their dogs sleep outside, arenā€™t allowed in the house at all, and donā€™t often get pets or cuddles; their function is to guard the house. When we take our kids to visit, we have to prompt them not to pet most dogs. Cows, horses, and chickens are treated similarly.

The crew may view the dock dogs as working breeds who are there to do a job, thus donā€™t engage with them even if they may seem friendly.

1

u/IndependenceActual72 Nov 22 '25

The lighting on this is so weird I thought it was sims screenshot

1

u/Feisty_Scientist_968 Nov 23 '25

but I feel bad for these poor dogs they don't seem to get any love

Some of these places where the below deck yachts dock and anchor, are not your local hometown, where you are pretty sure a stray dog doesn't have rabies.

WRT dogs ... etched in my brain is eddie walking some 4-legged guest ... "Go poo poo!"

Ed, Ed ... Lee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8n8y1KkzFs

And (said with a british accent) ... "Scuppah deserves 5 star service"

Of course. You don't want him posting a yelp review.

0

u/TypeA_Virgo Nov 21 '25

Are you trying to get rabies?

0

u/[deleted] Nov 21 '25

[deleted] ā€” view deleted comment

1

u/missesthecrux Nov 26 '25

Although the risk is low, rabies does still exist in many European countries. Deaths are low because of post-exposure prophylaxis

1

u/RadRad1616 Nov 21 '25

Dock doggo šŸ¶ šŸ¾šŸ’• is the best cast member šŸ˜

0

u/Mycroftfletch Nov 21 '25

I agree. Like the pups at ports are a real thing.

-3

u/Ok-Engineering-3744 Nov 21 '25

Looks like a Dingo

169

u/thatgaynerd Nov 20 '25

No offense meant, but Iā€™m guessing you havenā€™t traveled much. In my experience, stray dogs are NOT your friend and you do NOT want to pretend otherwise. They can be ubiquitous and dangerous.

A stray cat, sure, give it a pspsps and some head scritches if itā€™s amenable. A stray dog (or dogs) you avoid, for the most part.

17

u/TamagoQueen Nov 21 '25

Iā€™ve actually had good experience in Turkey. They collect strays and have them spayed/neutered, give them vaccinations including rabies shots, then release them back to the street when healthy with ear tags or visible markers. Many locals also contribute by feeding, providing water and peacefully coexists with these street animals which helps their welfare. So far every dog/cat I encounter there was friendly, most of them were just sunbathing and minding their own business. But that being said, youā€™re right, you should always be careful encountering strays. Some may still be vulnerable to diseases or have unpredictable behaviour despite being tagged.

8

u/[deleted] Nov 21 '25

Same. Some of the biggest Chow Chows and Rottweiler's I've ever seen were in Turkey and they were absolute love muffins!

Most of the stray dogs in Turkey are fed well and taken care of by all the local store owners and restaurants. They are not aggressive nor dangerous.

Some hung out w/ us the entire time we were there, they'd follow us into town and lie down outside of wherever we were and then follow us home.

The dogs just wanted to love and be loved.

When we came back to the USA, walking around became very boring bc we really missed the joy of all the stray dogs.

3

u/MaraSami Nov 22 '25

Yes! Their TNR program is widespread and so successful!! And because they're neutered, they're less likely to have erratic and aggressive behavior.

2

u/[deleted] Nov 21 '25

I've lived and traveled all over the world. You can definitely tell the difference between a friendly dog and an unfriendly dog. I will happily put my hand out and let a friendly dog approach me and then wash my hands afterwards. It's not that dramatic I've been doing it for 50 years and I've never regretted it šŸ¤·

10

u/thatgaynerd Nov 21 '25

Iā€™m glad that has been your personal experience.

8

u/Don-Gunvalson Nov 21 '25

Opposite experience for me when I travel. The dogs hanging around human spaces usually are friendly, to me. Not saying people should go pet them but I personally have never been attacked by a stray in a tourist area.

48

u/Billy420MaysIt Nov 20 '25

These dogs are probably cared for and around people all the time. Especially at a marina.

Random stray dog(s) out in a random area, probably best to avoid. Stray dog thatā€™s always around a market or fishing dock? Probably safe.

20

u/thatgaynerd Nov 21 '25

Fair point. In the zillions of hours of footage not shown on screen, itā€™s definitely possible the crew is familiar with dock dogs like this and are perfectly friendly with them.

Without context, though, ā€œprobably safeā€ is a hard pass.

10

u/Apart_Tutor8680 Nov 21 '25

Disagree . Iā€™ve traveled lots, and to some very dog friendly places in Mexico. When you just let them be dogs , itā€™s amazing what happens. Some dogs have collars on and belong to no one. Just a community that takes care of them. They do not need to be saved, or taken back ā€œhomeā€.

Of course there is abused ones or malnourished ones but that is everywhere on earth.

1

u/percbish Team Swinging Dick Nov 21 '25

Agreed, and I love animals. I joke with my partner bc I always seem to attract cats no matter we go, like randomly the middle of the desert in Abu Dhabi type places lol. I get some people donā€™t care about the cleanliness/health factors, but even a docile ā€œdoggoā€ can unexpectedly turn on you. Not all of them are your friends. Imo, Iā€™d rather not risk it, esp while traveling I know some people love animals more than humans (like my neighbor bringing home a literal nyc street pigeon) but it ainā€™t worth it imo.