‘All aboard Christmas puppy train’: Meet skateboarding, surfing pet dogs gifting smiles these holidays

Meet the Gold Coast’s coolest canines who can be seen around the city riding skateboards and surfing, spreading festive cheer and turning heads. See their tricks.

Meet the Gold Coast’s most talented festive season helpers – Zoe, Lulu, Sootie, Omo, Caramello, and Oreo.

These skateboarding and surfing dogs, led by their owner Brian Reichelt, are dishing up a dose of holiday spirit to locals and visitors wherever they go – especially when decked our in their sunnies and tutus.

At the heart of the pack is Zoe, a nine-year-old staffy cross German Shepherd “wonder-dog” who’s not just a skateboarding star but a viral sensation. She has racked up more than five million views on TikTok and with fans from around the world.

Owner Brian Reichelt said: “You don’t have to speak English to love a puppy, especially at Christmas.”

Brian Reichelt and his skateboarding dogs: Zoe, Lulu, Sootie, Omo, Caramello and Oreo are bringing joy to Gold Coasters. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Zoe can skate, surf, drive tractors and climb ladders – and this year was ranked sixth in Australia’s Smartest Dog Competition.

Mr Reichelt said it was not bad, considering he bought her off Gumtree for about $200.

“There’s two really good tutorials on YouTube on how to teach a dog to skateboard,” he said.

“I sat Zoe down in the office chair in front of the wide-screen computer screen, and I got the video up and I pointed to the screen and I said: ‘Watch this’.

“And with intelligence, she’s watching the screen, watching this dog skateboard. I said: you can do that.”

Mr Reichelt tied some skateboards together so the other pups could join them on their daily walks, before going stand-up paddleboarding together.

Brian Reichelt and his skateboarding dogs: Zoe, Lulu, Sootie, Omo, Caramello and Oreo are bringing joy to Gold Coasters. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Gold Coast’s Zoe the Wonder Dog. Picture by Brian Reichelt

New Years Eve in 2016. Brian Reichelt and Zoe The Wonder dog at the Spit. Picture: Richard Gosling

But for Mr Reichelt, it’s about more than tricks and viral fame – it’s about the emotional connections his dogs create.

“I recently met a woman with two children at Burleigh Heads, and she asked if her kids could pat the dogs.

“After about 10 minutes, she thanked me profusely and said, ‘This is the first time my son has smiled since we’ve been in Australia.’

“They were refugees from Ukraine, and her son had seen things no child should ever see.

“I was fighting back tears.

“And in that moment, I was really honoured that the dogs were part of their healing.”

Locals can catch Mr Reichelt and his dogs at Burleigh Esplanade this Sunday, spreading holiday joy with every ride.

Originally published as ‘All aboard Christmas puppy train’: Meet skateboarding, surfing pet dogs gifting smiles these holidays