Hiking with a dog question.

“My wife and I are about to adopt a pet from the local SPCA. We have a medium sized yard, and a small 4 foot fence. Were looking for a medium sized dog that would go running and hiking with us. Any sudgestions? I'm thinking of a Lab mix or golden retreaver mix. I'm not looking for a high strung dog mellow would be better.

Any sudgestions would be appreciated!”

“The Lab/golden aveneue is a good choice, they are very well behaved and can travel long distances quite well. My mutt is a Border Collie/Australian Sheppard mix, he's a bit rambuncious but he can go for days...... Great hiking dog, especially out west here in the mountains. And he fits well in the vestibule of my tent.”

“i have a golden retriever/ black lab mix. he's, um, peppy. stayed right by me from day 1 and carries his own weight when he has to. only problem is he likes to run from the person in front to the person in back at first until he gets his initial energy out of him. just me and him is perfect though. i dont even have to put him on a leash when another dog walks by.”

“my dalmation (buckshot)is the a great hiker. carries a ton ,loves the outdoors. never runs off. his biggest drawback is he cant take extreme cold(shorthair). he is however VERY high strung. I built a 4 foot fence for him, which is like a total joke as he can pert-near clear it easily.



get a pup , whatever kind he is & do alot of leash training with him. teach him to "heal" while walkin round the block.”

“Omigod, this is sure to attract one-track-mind Micah.

Good choice, though. Both are great hiking dogs. Black labs are a little wussy, but they do not get into trouble on the trail. Golden retreivers are just friendly dogs whose only mission in life is to inspire ear scratchers.”

“Lab/chow mix is a very intelligent, trainable, mentally stable yet energetic distance dog. JMHO.”

“All hunting breeds/mixs have the ability to be insanely rambuncious. We have a German shorthair who is psycho and also an elkhund/beagle mix who is MUCH more mellow. The mutt would be an excellant trail dog if we could leave the pointer home without him. She gets crazed in the woods and it takes alot of effort on his part to not follow her lead. Sometimes he just can't help himself.

Happy dog hunting! (BTW, pound dogs are the best)”

“The only reason to do it is if you're afraid of the woods and need a 'security blanket'.”

“i ain't skeered of anything.....well....cept for sasquatch”

“To each their own Sol. There's plenty of space for dog hikers and non-dog hikers alike. WE ALL already know the evils of dogs on the trail.”

“We recently got a dog for the with the same requirements in mind - medium size, running/hiking partner - we settled on a vizsla. A vizsla is a Hungarian hunting dog that will go about 50-65 lbs., looks like a Wiemaraner only smaller and red. Ours has been mellow, very smart and easily trained, plus they don't range very far afield so he stays close when hiking off-leash. Also, he has short hair which is nice for keeping off stickers/burrs.

Whatever you get, you might need to add a few more feet to the fence - 4' will be easily cleared by most active breeds. And if you get a puupy don't run with him 'til he/she is at least a year old - they will keep up but it can damge their bone development. Good luck!”

“Whatever dog you decide to get...
OBEDIENCE TRAIN IT!!!

Don't do it all by yourself, take classes from a professional trainer. You'll be glad you did.”

“Whatever dog you decide to get...
OBEDIENCE TRAIN IT!!!
Right On Buddur!

Thats ALL I ask when hiking with a dog! I lovem but cant stand when they are NOT controlled!”

“I have found terriers to be some of the best dogs. They are obedient, athletic, observant, but have quality of having their level of rambunctiousness turned on and off by you. They're mellow when you want them to be, protective when you want them to be, spastic when you want them to be.”

“All you dog hikers just make sure your pooch isn't chasing the game and growling at the considerate people on the trail.”

“Got my mutt from a shelter. Haven't any concrete confirmation of her breed, but based on what people tell me and what the vet says, she's a border collie/shepherd mix.

She's not too hyper at all. She's got just enough energy to handle the trail but not so much that I can't control her.

She goes hiking with me a lot. She's only backpacked once so far. She was excellent, IMO.”

“just b/c you have a dog doesn't make you inconsiderate, does it?”

“only to those who are quite narrow in their thoughts ductape.”

“i think it's funny that one would advocate making what is essentially a narrow clear cut disturbing the environment and then get mad when an animal walks on it.”

“I was attacked by a dog onced, with the family of three standing there while it happened. A can of pepper spray kept the dog at bay. Pop got all bent out of shape. I told him there was enough left if he wanted some, but he'd better get the dog under control or else.

That incident was the exception. Most hikers have dogs that are exceptionally well behaved and just want to sniff and get a pat on the head. After they exact that little tribute, they usually head down the trail to see what else they can sniff up.

The sad part of the negative incident was that the dog had to pay the price of the master's ignorance. That dog should have been leashed given its temperment, and the fact that it probably thought it was defending its family. As an old mountain man once told me, I should have sprayed the master; dogs can't read.

In all the years I've hiked, that is the only negative experience I have ever had. Most dogs are friendly, a few gregarious.

And the only place I have ever stepped in dog crap has been in cities. Only in the city do I need the shoe-cleaning brush and paper towels in the trunk of my car.

I have yet to see a dog chasing wildlife, unless it's a local's coon or bear dog. I'm sure it happens, but I doubt it's the problem some make it out to be. Most backpackers and serious hikers have dogs that are balanced emotionally and pretty well trained. The problems, I would guess, would come in more popular areas where the visitors are not as aware of these issues. Most of those areas have strict leash laws, and National Park rangers do enforce them.

So I get a little weary hearing people complain about dogs on the trail. They're welcome around me unless they're completely unruly, and then I only ask that they be leashed or under strict voice control.

BTW, I do not currently own a dog since I live in an apartment building.”

“Maybe all terriers except Jack Russells and Welsh terriers, lol!”

“Get a Mexican Hairless. There's not as much prep work before ya butcher 'em...”

“I have seen a lot of dogs in the woods. Beeg dogs, leetle dogs. Hyper, not so hyper. Young, old. Yellow, brown, red, orange. Stinky buttts, not so stinky buttts. All dogs shood be alawd to hike in the woods. An pee on roks!

Oh. Sorry sarabelle.”

“The point is, just go to the pound and IT will pick YOU.

dood. I went to the pound looking for a golden/yellow lab mix too. Guess what? I came home with a little black fur ball, rascal that stole my heart, he jumped in my lap. Had no idea what the hell he was, and didn't care neither. Turned out to be rottie/Australian Shepard (or something) mix. Smartest, healthiest dog in the world. Good hiker, too. If it is ~7 lbs at 6 weeks, it will be a medium to large sized dog.”

“You and I both know FG that those things would barely fill me up. Besides its hard to find a stick to put him on the fire to cook. Jst a trail snack.”

“Need to learn to spell...That be Mexican!!!!!”

“I have a 4 pound chihuahua that can hike with the best of them. He's very low key. And he fits in a chalk bag for those places where dogs can't go. And on top of all that, you all kinds of crazy looks from people when your hiking with such a small dog. Good conversation piece. Good luck...”

“Ive been visiting the local animal shelter once a week for the past 3 weeks..waiting for that certain dog to pick me out..nothing yet..But Im going back again today..wish me luck..I feel so empty not having a dog with me on the trail.”

“AT HOME!

...inconsiderate buttholes!


I get FED UP with having to drop my pack and run like the dickens every time I see a dog coming down the trail!”

“In most backpacking/hiking locales dogs are supposed to be on a leash, not running loose. These rules are for EVERYONE. If you can't abide by them, leave your dog at home.

By the way, dogs do chase game. Usually people don't realize it because their well behaved dog is out of sight.”

“anti-dogites!”

“Too bad not at all dogs were like Buddy..he kept right behind my left foot and at the end of the day when the tent was up and the sleeping bag down..thats where he stayed for the rest of the evening..besides ocasionally beggin for food he was a well behaved dog..on and off the trail..the cool thing is I didnt have to teach him a thing..”

“Sounds like he was a wonderful guy to have around. I still remember the pic you posted of him- Well, someone posted it anyway, what a beautiful dog he was.”

“Yah, treebait. Tis true. Them Jackies get a little too bouncy for my liking :)”

“Yeah he was the best..

I just brought a new puppy home..hes a Boxer mix..Named him after a lake in Colorado that my dad loves to fish at..Jasper..

Wish me luck with him..”

“I never met a trail dog I didn't like.”

“Actually, I wish some dogs would leave their owners home. That would greatly increase the value of the backwoods experience.

Like litterbug owners, rock painting owners, owners too lazy to put out campfires in dry seasons, owners who think the great outdoors is a place to scream at the top of their lungs, owners who ride ATVs where they don't belong, owners who wash their cook gear out in springs, owners who don't bury their feces, and owners who chop down live trees for campfires.

That might not be all, but it would make a nice start.

The dogs I get along with.”

“Who packs a can of spray paint into the woods?”

“Rock painters. The one good think is they usually don't pack them far. But then they leave the empty cans.”

“Well we got her, a beautiful Black Laborador Retrevier mix? She looks and acts like a lab, but has a little white area on her chest resembling a boarder collie. My wife and I took out four or five dogs and walked them around the yard at the SPCA. Most were way hyper, which I can understand after being that they have been locked up for so long, others seemed "institutionalized" as they acted like they wanted back in their cages. We ended up with a pretty confident pup who did well enough on a leash. She was a bit distracted, but I'm sure she'll be a bit different at home.

The only bad part of the experience was having to choose, all those dogs were good and needed homes. My wife even had tears in her eyes at one point.
Also we can't take our dog home until Monday afternoon. She is getting spayed and implanted with a microchip ID which is law now for dog adoption.

Any way, I'm real excited and can't wait for this pup to come home. I hope she'll make a great hiking companion.

P.S. To all those who don't like seeing dogs on trails, get over it! Dogs have been the companions of humans for thousands of years and they can be a great addition to a person's life. They certainly don't complain much, or offer bits of unwanted philosophy. Sometimes I wonder if solo hikers hike solo for the experience, or because thats the best they can do. I've done all three, people, dogs, solo, they all can be very rewarding experiences. Don't dis it unless you've tried it!”

“Well said, in your P.S., thinair. I've had all 3 experiences as well, and other than for having to watch out for the 30 ft leash occasionally, hiking with a Jack Russell Terrier is a lot of fun! I like the fact that I don't have to worry too much about where she's at, because she's usually ahead of my friend and I, looking back as if to say "Hurry up you two! What's taking you so long?" hehe!

Sounds like the dog picked a wonderful family to live with. Yes, I say it that way, because you KNOW that that's how it happened! (grin!) That dog will have you all wrapped around its paw before you even know it! Good luck and have fun hiking with your newest family memeber! Post some pictures when you have a chance of her!

BTW, what's "HER" name??”

“I was thinking of nameing her Takota becaus it means "friend to everyone" in sioux, but my wife seems to want to be in on the nameing processs, I'm gonna be patient.”

“Well, no matter what you name her, let us all know! I don't remember what movie commercial I saw this for, but no matter what WE name our animals, they already have a NAME ...... one that they've picked out for themselves......or at least that's how the commercial went! LOL! You could name her Takota.....but her name could very well be Catherine DeVoldure, The Countess of leFilet Minon!”

“She's finally home! And she seems to like her new digs too! Too bad I had to be at work tonight I'd rather be there bonding, but she'll get a lot of that later.”

“Gray foxes are catching distemper in California and dying. The only way a fox can catch distemper is from a domestic dog.”

“wonder if that's how my wife got it....”

“Oh, thinair...the best of luck with your dog, but I guess I have strong feeling about dogs on hikes in wilderness areas. There isn't a great deal of water around out here, and it's tough enough to pack your own. I've seen lots of dogs and what they look like after taking a 10-15 mile hike in the San Gabriels. I sometimes wonder if not enough people realize the needs of a dog on such hikes.”

“What did you and your wife name her? "Enquiring minds want to know"!!! LOL!

;-)”

“No name yet, my wife is being stubborn!

Come on, you know dogs aren't as that bad on hikes. And are you sure theyre getting it from domestic animals, as in dogs. Could it be farm animals spreading disease, or maybe something passed between the foxes? Maybe some hiker passed the disease to em. Geeze no one should leave the pavement these days!”

“Wives come up with names like Trina, Trixie, Debbie, Cuddles, Fluffy, Noodles, etc.

Give it a real dog name like Killer, PuffDaddy, Sniper, M16, Sherman, Rattlesnake, Gonad, or Beaver....”