Dog Photos

[emmyo22]

Hey question to all dog lovers im starting my through hike in early april with my boyfriend and a couple of our friends but i refuse to leave my dog behind..he's a one year old husky mix...so i was wondering if anyone has some suggestions on brining a dog along on the trail?

[Tipi Walter]

Bring a leash, not for use while hiking but when set up in camp. Tie out the dog by the tent so when other hikers pass thru he may bark but he won't CHASE.

Get a decent dogpack since you do not want to hump his food, too. My dog can carry enough food for 12-15 days max, so don't worry about the weight. (Depends on dog size, etc)

[doggiebag]

Hey question to all dog lovers im starting my through hike in early april with my boyfriend and a couple of our friends but i refuse to leave my dog behind..he's a one year old husky mix...so i was wondering if anyone has some suggestions on brining a dog along on the trail?

Make sure the dog is well controlled. He may get protective of you specially when you set up camp. That being said a new environment can be an emotional shock that could make him more vocal. Until you know that he's adpted to the trail ... you may want to setup camp away from shelters (which I do a majority of the time). Start training hikes with the dog and several overnighters before you head out. There are plenty of threads on this site regarding backpacking with your pooch. Good luck. Here's the top of the Dog backpacking thread: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=439

[emmyo22]

thanks guys i really appreciate the advice...sorry one more question my dogs only like 25 pounds 30 tops do you think he can hack it?

[doggiebag]

My dog is 45 lbs - he can run circles around me all day - he's a working breed. The lighter weight of your pooch can actually be an advantage. IMHO

[AlwaysHiking]

Hey question to all dog lovers im starting my through hike in early april with my boyfriend and a couple of our friends but i refuse to leave my dog behind..he's a one year old husky mix...so i was wondering if anyone has some suggestions on brining a dog along on the trail?

You do know you can't take him in the Smokies and Baxter right? You'll have to make other arrangements for him while going through.

[Rouen]

emmyo22 I dont think the dogs size will make much of a difference. But the breed will, huskies are working dogs, which is good, but they also have a high prey drive and they tend to roam, even huskies trained off leash can take off unexpectedly, and run for hours and end up 3 states away.

also remember he's a young dog, so take it slow, soft ground wont be too hard on his joints but pushing him too much can.

[shelterbuilder]

Hey question to all dog lovers im starting my through hike in early april with my boyfriend and a couple of our friends but i refuse to leave my dog behind..he's a one year old husky mix...so i was wondering if anyone has some suggestions on brining a dog along on the trail?

Ah, yes - the husky mix. The "husky" part will want to roam - possibly as many as 3 counties over! Let's hope that the "mix" part wanders less. Better to keep the dog leashed at all times than to lose it in unfamilar territory.

Get the dog used to the bowls, food and equipment that he'll be using - do this well before the trip begins. At one year of age, he's not done growing yet - DO NOT make him carry anything, or you could permanently damage his joints. Start out slow - let him rest if he looks tired.

Small meals throughout the day work better at keeping his eneregy levels from depleting (much better than one or two bigger meals). He will have to consume more calories, just like his people, to do the miles. Make sure he gets enough protein so he doesn't lose muscle mass. Add some oil or other fats to his regular food.

How will you dry him off after hiking all day through the rain? (Figure this one out BEFORE he dries himself off on your sleeping bag!)

Finally, realize that, no matter how well-behaved he is, there will be some folks out there who just don't think that dogs belong on the trail. You will not change their opinion - just politely work around these folks.

Enjoy the trip, but remember to keep one eye always on the dog!

[SunnyWalker]

hOW ABOUT KEKEPING THIS FOR PHOTOS!?!?!?? There is a forum for all this discussion. Sure would appreciate it.

[shelterbuilder]

hOW ABOUT KEKEPING THIS FOR PHOTOS!?!?!?? There is a forum for all this discussion. Sure would appreciate it.

Sorry about my drift, SunnyWalker. How about a picture or two, to make up for it?

The first pic is of my original Sibrian Husky, Bandit, and his very young partner, Rascal, in 1989. Bandit was special. We hiked together for almost 12 years. He did all of the AT in MD, some of VA, most of PA, and most of VT.

The second pic is of the current crop of Siberians (all descended from Bandit), including Lightning (on my lap), her sisters Flame (black and white) and Starfire (the other red and white in the box), and their Mom Tara (at the bottom of the picture). After years of having too many dogs to be able to hike with, I've started taking Lightning on overnight trips - although I'm not really sure that she enjoys it...even though she enjoys being with me!

[ytsuejam]

Husky/Lab mix
age 8
loves Mountain House Seafood Chowder....my Seafood chowder

this photo was taken on Granny Bald,the first ascent when leave woody gap,last month.


Patrick

[Quoddy]

Below is a photo of my Welsh Springer Spaniel, Quoddy. Since he was almost always with me on the trail, fellow hikers began calling me Quoddy, which is my trail name now, and he became the REAL Quoddy.

[SunnyWalker]

Shelterbdr-All is forgiven with the offering of pooch photos!
Ytsuejam-Very nice photo. Wow, what a shot. The dog pack looks real functional.
Quody: Wow, nice looking dog. Seems to radiate faithfulness.This

[desdemona]

Another Torie picture.

--des

[SunnyWalker]

I just reviewed all the photos on this thread. Wow, it's reallyneat. I think this thread (IMO) is promoting hiking with dogs and pets in a grand way.

[superman]

I just reviewed all the photos on this thread. Wow, it's reallyneat. I think this thread (IMO) is promoting hiking with dogs and pets in a grand way.

More dogs, fewer people and no shelters

[jcazz]

Fontana, 2yr old Plott Dog on a trip thru the Carter-Moriah Range in 2006.

[headonkey]

Here's my Halle, one of the hyperest but most lovable dogs you'll ever meet. But remember! Don't keep her on a lease if you sleep under a tarp because she'll bring the whole thing down on you...

[StarLyte]

Awesome thread - BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS!

My favorite hiking dog is Rio

I would much rather hike with my dog, Bandit, but he's a wanderer....so I just take him camping.

[ed bell]

Here is Bittle at Jones Gap State Park on the Pinnacle Ridge Trail. Spring, three years ago.