The Toronto International Boat Show, the largest in North America, runs annually at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, every January – this year from January 17 to 27, 2026. Is the International Boat Show dog-friendly? No. Strangely no. But boats sure are. Dogs and boating are close companions.

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Throughout this massive boating exhibition, you’ll notice hints of canine presence. Some boat companies, like Grady-White Boats from North Carolina, make a point of including dog buddies on several boats and promotional posters. And boat rental companies such as Le Boat (more on that company soon on dogtrotting.net) permit dogs to tag along on their rental adventures.

At the Boat Show

At the International Boat Show in Toronto, you’ll find boats of all sizes (I can’t imagine loading them into the Exhibition Place), boating accessories, inflatable dog ramps (affiliate link), water sports devices, information about waterways and touring around Canada – and an indoor lake.

Yes, what the boat show calls ‘an indoor lake’ is actually the hockey arena where the Toronto Marlies play (and horses jump during The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair). The arena is carefully lined then filled with water deep enough to float and demonstrate mid-sized pleasure boats, a pickleball court, and even zoom around on a motorized surf board.

Meet Pickles at JETSURF

Although this boat show isn’t dog friendly, I did meet Pickles, a long-haired dachshund, working as a mascot at the Canadian distributor for JETSURF, a device that permits you to surf without a wave. You stand up on the board, hold the handle with one hand and the board (powered by either fuel or electricity, depending on model) propels you across the surface of still water.

JETSURFs can reach speeds of up to 40 mph. Not a dog-friendly device, clearly. Apparently, Pickles loves to be held while riding along but doesn’t like to be in the water herself.

What other dog-related accessories can you find at the International Boat Show in Toronto? Dog life jackets, of course, and a dog dock/island beach.

Several retailers at the International Boat Show in Toronto were selling dog life jackets – specifically a Canadian-based brand called Salus Marine that specializes in people water safety devices but has added a canine version to its product line.

Salus Skippy Dog Vest from Salus Marine

The Skippy Dog Vest (affiliate link) is a life jacket designed for dogs. Yes, dogs can swim, some breeds better than others. But any dog can get tired or be pulled by currents or waves. It’s recommended that while boating or participating in any water sports, dogs have their own flotation aid. You never know when your crazy spaniel will leap off the dock after a bird. My pup was equipped with a dog life jacket during our canoeing adventure at Kejimkujik National Park in Nova Scotia.

The Salus Skippy Dog Vest (affiliate link) is available in three colours – red, pink, and mango – and two patterns – camo and tie dyed for two completely different vibes. There are five different sizes ranging from 5 lbs to 130 lbs, along with flotation under the belly to both give the dog’s chest buoyancy and make it more comfortable to lift the dog out of the water. Other design features include two handles, reflective trim and three adjustable buckles.

Best of all, this is a Canadian company based in Waterloo, Ontario. Salus specializes in personal flotation devices (for people too) and each is cut, assembled, and sewn in the Ontario-based production facility.

Dog Island Beach and Dog Ramp

Of course, if you’re going to be taking the dog along on the boat – especially for days – your dog will need a pee break from the boat or some exercise in the water. But getting them in and out of the water after a swim can be challenging. And docking for pee breaks can be time-consuming.

Enter the Inflatable Dog Island Beach and Dog Ramp. These inventions, from Island Products, solve a problem I didn’t think of – possibly because I’ve only once boated for several days (see our Thousand Islands adventure here).

The Dog Island Beach is an inflatable dock that floats and has a ramp, allowing dogs to get in and out of the water easily. Plus, you can buy an added turf mat for bathroom breaks.  The inflatable Dog Ramp is a smaller version of a similar inflatable tool. The ramp is good for smaller boats. (Discover other inflatable dog ramps here – affiliate link)

Specifics: According to the company, both the inflatable dog island and smaller inflatable ramp come with mesh stairs, a patch kit, hand pump, and D-rings for connection to your boat. Both are designed for dogs up to 160 lbs. Both inflatable products are for stationary use only, not towing.

Island Products, that makes inflatable products for people too, is a Canadian company based in Alliston, Ontario.

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Boat Show Takeaway

Even though the Toronto International Boat Show doesn’t allow dogs inside, there are hints that boating and dogs are connected. From dog life jackets and floating potty solutions to brands that predominantly feature pups in their marketing, the evidence is there.

I even found myself thinking about my boating adventure with my pup, despite being admittedly nervous on the water. While my dog couldn’t come with me to the Toronto International Boat Show, a few laps around the show did have me planning for possibilities, especially with Le Boat – though both me and her will require life jackets for peace of mind.

Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and a travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria.Contact Sherri at dogtrotting.net here. All written content is original, written by a person, and based on experience and research. Please subscribe!