Were particular dog breeds used aboard naval vessels?
Short answerTerriers were common ratters, while at least one captain carried large dogs that reportedly participated in combat at Trafalgar.
NotesAnimal choice followed shipboard work: terriers were common on barges and ships because they could hunt vermin in confined spaces. A much less common source describes large dogs aboard a Royal Navy ship taking part in a boarding action, though the evidence is limited to one account.