Backpacking dog

“I am interested in getting a dog to take backpacking with me. Im looking for a small dog, that will be ok in an apartment, but one that also would do good on the trail. Any ideas?”

“there have been alot of good threas with some great advice on this subject.

my dalmation is great at hiking with his own pack. his only drawback is he can't take extreme cold. he wouldnt be good for an apartment though, lol. 80 lbs and TONS of energy.”

“Oh wait a sec...thats his name...he is a Siberian Husky...great trail dog, loves the cold and loves the summer, cause we canoe every weekend and there is usually water involved, but not alwaaaaaays...(see buffalo trip from hell report)

Don't get a small dog, they won't be able to carry any of your extra gear...fuel, stove, headlamp, sleeping bag...etc...

And don't ask bacpac...he's a kitty kitty person.”

“I like to carry dawgpack on trail and wander round in woods and poop on the trail and in camp, how about one of my little ones? Sorry we don't like live in partments.”

“Bacpac is a Nancy boy”

“Get a goat.”

“Try a Burmese Mountain dog for back packing, very appropriet dog, but not too good in an apartment.”

“There not BAaaaaaaaaaadd”

“Leave the dog at home!”

“At a customers home last night, they had the biggest Great Dane I have ever seen! First thing I thought of was this thread. That dog could carry ALL the gear and you too!”

“Don't know what size your apt. is... but I've seen LOTS of lab/retriever breeds out there. They carry their own food and water... and are great companions all around. I've seen some that aren't that big, and could handle an apt. situation. A mixed breed of that kind wouldn't be a bad idea either. You could luck out and get one that's small. Good luck on your quest!”

“Dogs make great trail companions especially if you solo alot. Whatever breed you decide to get, spend that extra $100 and take the time to OBEDIENCE TRAIN it in a professional training class. Regardless if you even want to bring a dog with you hiking, I can't stress enough how important I believe obedience training is to establish communication between you and fido.”

“Well the best I have had backpacking are border collies but they don't do well in a apartment.
But my little Zoe does GREAT but she can't carry a pack. She is a poodle and the best little trail dog there is. She loves it. Likes to swim also.
I was thinking of the standard poodle, very smart and are breed to retrive so very well for outside activies. Plus on this breed they don't shed. This is a plus.....when they live inside.
Good luck
Barbara”

“bbinkley has a chihuahua.”

“Hey, for all you who hike wth dogs:

I was just checking out the Sierra Trading Post's Bargain Barn, they have ruff wear booties, dog bowls for CHEAP, $3.95-$7.95. They also had those Zuke's trekin' treats for dogs for $2.95, reg. $11.95.”

“I leave the wife's dog with the in-laws, don't want to carry another 20 pounds!”

“yeah i have a chihuahua and he's a great hiker. and only weighs 4 lbs. doesn't take up much space .”

“My chihuahua use to kick @ss. smoked me everytime going up the hills. great hot water bottle at night and they don't eat much at all.
My boxer that I take now is getting to be a pretty mean hiker herself. She is only 1.5 so she is a bit high stung yet. She carries everything but her sleeping bag. yes that's right she gets her own bag. she likes to get in the bag and both of use can't fit in one. I have a really light summer bag that I take for her in the spring and fall. she is like a kettle of hot water.”

“Micah hasn't soiled this thread yet? Must be losing his touch.”

“Micah = Bacpac.”

“That explains a lot. Micah's mommy wouldn't let him have a doggy. The personality warp?, I can believe it.

Mommas, let that be a lesson. Allow your little boys to have doggies.”

“It is advisable to have some sort of animal with you in the wilderness. They are especially adept at sensing unseen predators and warning when evil near.

I would never think of going without Khatru into the woods in Arkansas...BacPac (one of the Dark Lords emmisaries) could come upon me. But with Khatru with me, I know that he would be kept at bay and not be able to sneak into my camp.”

“one good thing about a dog is they keep the rats away at night. went out without mine last night and had to get up and hang my food in the middle of the night.
IN INDIANA”

“I kinda get annoyed at un-leashed dogs that run free & ahead of their owners. A few have come close to being shot. Please, if you bring a dog...keep him on a leash.”

“on a leash? my dog stays with me without one. in my state the leash law states "or under verbal command" does that count?”

“Leave your BS at home! Take the dog!

I'm finding out that Lakota has much better sences then I. She's a Lab/German Shorthair Pointer mix and she has a pointing/stalking instinct that she gets into on our walks. She always finds all the cool wildlife before me. I've noticed so much more wildlife because of her. She also doesn't chase anything unless I tell her "GOGETUM!!!" Which I let her do to the squirls in the park.

Anyway, I'd say any retrever would make a good trail dog, even if you live in an Apartment. Just get the dog as a puppy, Crate train it, and keep it crated while your gone, never more than a maxium of 8 hours. It's not cruel as long as you pay a lot of attention to your dog the rest of the day! When you return be sure to go excercize with you dog. If you can't do that, get a tiny dog.”