[pct-l] hiking with dogs

[Josie]

Hiking with a dog is not for everyone or for every dog. However, it does work for some. If you really want to do it then try it in short stretches and see how your dog does. As long as you put the dog first you will probably do just fine. My giant border collie (70 lb mix that looks all border, but may be part Appaloosa :-)) has walked thousands of miles with me (PCT, CDT etc). Most of the time he does great, but there have been times when I have had to get him off the trail, and I never give it a second thought. That said, there is nothing better than a happy companion dog on the trail.

Some years ago I contributed to Postholer’s “PCT FAQ page” some notes and I just re-read them-- there might be something useful for you. It’s at: http://postholer.com/faq.php#dogs

There are many people who hike successfully with dogs but as Drew references in his post, it is not necessarily easy and the experience/viability depends on what you are willing to put into it and the temperament/ability of your dog. You might try reading some journals of “dog” hikers-- that might give you an idea.

Happy Hiking,
Jo
postholer.com/jo (PCT 2008, CDT on-going)




Drew Smith jdrewsmith at gmail.com 
Sun Feb 1 14:24:40 CST 2015

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With a small, high-activity dog like a Border Collie, it might be doable,
but I can't advise it:

Regulations - no dogs on National Park trails
Water - long waterless stretches in CA, either you or your dog will have to
carry
Heat - dogs cannot tolerate heat nearly as well as humans.  When it gets
hot (and it will), you will have to drastically alter your hiking schedule
or run the risk of killing your dog.
Ticks - they can be plentiful
Hitching and town stays - your options will be severely constrained.

I tried taking my dog Bonny (a 120lb Newfoundland mix) on a section hike
between L Morena and Idyllwild in Mar 2013.  The first week was fine -
temps in the 50s and 60s, and she had no trouble carrying 5 days of food
and up to 4 L of water.  Then the wind shifted from ocean to desert, the
temps shot up into the 70s and 80s with no shade, and she was suffering.
Fortunately I had a backup plan, as my daughter, who was then attending
college nearby, came and got her at Scissors Crossing.  She spent the next
week being pampered by a houseful of college girls, and I got to sleep on
the ground and be filthy and sweaty.  Everyone was happy.

Even if its doable, you will have to spend so much time and effort taking
care of your dog that your hiking experience will be severely compromised
and constrained.  Don't do it.  And if you do, have a backup/bailout plan
if things go wrong.

Drew/Happy Hour


>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2015 22:05:56 -0800
> From: anubaluxx <anubaluxx at yahoo.com>
> To: Pct-L at backcountry.net
> Subject: [pct-l] Dogs on the trail
> Message-ID: <twpljy7g7pi457jsty9ol77w.1422597956358 at email.android.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> Hello fellow hikers. ? My Border Collie, Montana, and I live in Eugene,
> Oregon. ?We plan to start the PCT this year in Oregon, a week or two at a
> time. ?We are part of a busy family and will have friends and family
> joining us here and there. ?I am an experienced hiker and backpacker,
> mostly weekends but a few longer treks. ?Oregon is well known to me but I'm
> concerned about California for next year. ? I've read there are many places
> that don't allow dogs on the trail, especially in the Sierras. ?Any
> information from fellow dog families would be very welcome. ? Thanks!?
>