hiking with dogs question

[kurtteej]

My wife and daughter are itching to get a dog for the family [we currently have 2 cats -- the dog will not arrive until the male cat dies, he's 17].

My brother has a dachtsund and both wife and daughter want one just like it. Since I'll end up walking the thing all the time and it'll become mine in the end I was wondering about what dogs are the best in the woods.

The weiner dogs legs are just too short and I don't think that I'll be able to do much hiking with one. Based on all of your experiences with dogs in the woods, what would be good? [not likely to bolt after something, can actually walk over or around things taller than 6 inches high, things like that]

Note -- i had a dog as a kid, it was a weiner, so my experience won't help answer the question.

Kurt

[Jake]

Good small dog

If you are looking for smaller breeds that can handle long hikes, I suggest West Highland Terriers or Cairn Terriers. We have two Westies. The older one has done several high peaks with me, and many 10+ mile X-C ski trips. The Puppy should be ready for some trips this winter. Hardy little breed from the Highlands of Scotland, so bad weather doesn't faze them. We're bred as field dogs, so love the outdoors. Intelligent breed, need a frim hand but very willing learners. Plus they don't shed!!

[Riosacandaga]

They've trained us very well : We don't chase deer, We can let ourself out and one of us only occasionally will roll in something...

[forevrwyld]

Adk Dog - Get A Lab

Get a lab! Black, yellow, choclote, doesn't matter. See attached pic of 12 year old and 3 month old on a 4 day trip to Little Tupper. Then can hike, ski, and hunt and love kids.

'Ev

[forevrwyld]

Did I mention they love kids?

[kurtteej]

That picture is killer!

[Rookie]

I just "rolled the dice" and got 2- 9 week old mutts. 1/2 LAB and 1/2 HUSKIE.
They're kicking our butts.

We'll see how they "hike" next spring.

[13331Girl]

Ok Ok... if everyones showing off their retrievers.... Here's Toby!

I have to say the black lab with the little girl is the cutest picture I have ever seen.

[Kevin]

Labs, retrievers... and I would have never believed it a few years ago, but poodles should be added to that list as well. Val's male standard poodle is an awesome hiker, and very obedient. He's small enough to squeeze under fallen trees, but large enough to just step over rocks and stuff. Only a few times did we need to assist him in navigating a trail (once was down/around a ladder on armstrong).

Most importantly, he LIKES to hike and actually gets very excited when you even utter the word "hike". lol

[Peebut]

I have a Stafordshire Terrier that can't be beat. He's mixed with a little chow and is a fantastic dog. Very smart and he LOVES to hike. He go's about 100lb's so he's abit big for most. Golden's are still one of my all time favorite hiking dog though. If I knew how to post pics I would.

[pico23]

outch huskies? you'll need to keep them on a leash regardless of regulations, they tend to run.

Top breeds from someone who both loves active dogs and has one would be the herding breeds (not all listed below are herders) things you have to consider are how will the dog perform on the trail in the weather you will have them. Also, will you be using it for backpacking partner? If so it needs to be able to fit in the tent and also carry it's own weight plus perhaps a bit of group gear. To small or too big can be an issue. Most of the dogs on my list are around 40-60lbs full grown. Most of these dogs can cover ANY trail better than you but occasionally you might need to help them or carry out an injured animal. A bull mastif or Newfy would be a poor choice, IMO.

1. German Shepherd (super smart, super athletic, built for cooler climates but do well in very cold or mild climates, wonder dogs but difficult to train for a first time owner, usually good with kids, protective)

2. Blue Heeler (aka. Aussie Cattle Dog, super smart, a purebreed that looks like a mutt, ugly compared to the other breeds listed but looks right at home on the trail for a month, athletic, ok for a first timer, not as good in cold but will do anything you ask of them, my next dog)

3. Standard Poodle (the big ones, can hold there own with #1 and 2 on the list, don't shed much, bred for some sort of sporting originally and are great intelligent athletes)

4. Aussie Shepherd (same as blue heeler but prettier, thin coat that does only OK in northeastern winters, it will need a insulating coat and perhaps a sleeping bag/coat)

5. Border Collie (this is the mother of all herding dogs, smartest, best athlete, bred to work all day and cover 25+ miles over rolling terrain, can outjump, out run and out smart any dog and most people on the planet, unfortunately they make terrible house dogs if you can't a) keep them working b) keep them excercised. And you need to do both. And by excercised I mean a 5 mile RUN in the morning and a 10 mile 10mph MTB ride at night every day. In the summer you'll need to let them swim while you paddle. They can be hard to train, destroy your house, either love or hate kids, are super high strung, all they want to do is work. I've run mine over 30 miles while mountain biking at a 12mph clip and he slept the 2 hour ride home and was ready for a run when we got home. If you can commit to this dog it will not let you down if you can't it will be a rescue dog pretty quickly. This dog is more neurotic than most breeds if not kept active.)

6. Swiss Mountain Dog (big and burly, smart, bred for the mountains, can cover huge winter terrain, and good with kids, but too big IMO for a backpacking dog, still deserves mention though)

7. Labs (easily trainable, athletic but don't mind down time, reasonably smart, fairly large, good in water, usually good with kids)

8. Golden Retreiver (similar to labs)

9. Pound puppies (aka. Mutts and rescue dogs) usually excellent dogs, not always plagued by (pure) breed specific ailments that seem to recurr in certain breeds.

[Riosacandaga]

I agree with #2... they are a pretty cool dog... but I'm sticking with my labs.
Nice pictures.

[oldsmores]

I've had German Shephard, labs, golden retriever, huskie mix, and a Bichon Friese. Gotta vote for the lab, followed closely by the golden. If someone offers to pay you to take a Bichon, run. Run far and run fast...

[Jake]

Good Little Hiking Dogs

Didn't think I'd ever be a fan of small dogs, but these little gals are great!!

[TheNatrix]

Beagle?

Where do you guys think a little ol' beagle falls into the mix? I too am looking for a loyal hiking partner to do the Long Trail with me this summer.