Dogpaddler wrote:
The dog and I weight in at around 243lbs combined. Not a lot of choice here for canoes unfortunately.
Sam is right about the Next. A Next would be cramped for space, either with the dog between your knees or up in the bow where, depending on the dog’s weight, the canoe might be trimmed poorly.
A better bet would be a 14 or 15 foot tandem that can be paddled backwards from the bow seat, with your dog forward for trim weight, or a dedicated solo with the seat moved further back of center.
I have read before about the lack of canoes in New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere in the world.
Have you considered building a canoe? A wood stripper, lapstrake or even stitch and glue? Plans are plentiful and inexpensive, and you could find and build a pocket tandem best suited for dog paddling.
If that is something you would consider maybe ask here for recommendations on a design that works well with dog companion and something straightforward easy as a first build.
A neighbor who I doubt knows which end of a hammer to hold built a Chesapeake Light Craft stitch and glue kayak and the end result was a handsome and functional boat.
There are lots of plans and even kits available.