[pct-l] Thru-hiking PCT w/ dog question

[dsaufley at sprynet.com (dsaufley@sprynet.com)]

Scott,

I would not say that the comments below are wholly true. Some people on the post have indicated that they are against it, because they have seen dogs suffer out there.  But many other hikers/posters are not only supportive, they hike with dogs themselves.  We have hosted many dogs and their owners over the years.  And, the dogs' conditions ranged from excellent to horrible.  What made me ill, and what gives hiking with dogs a bad name,  was watching a guy hike out with his dog who had pads like raw hamburger.  The dog followed him down the trail, and I wanted to kill the owner for his selfishness and cruelty -- I had offered to keep the dog for him until it had healed, and would deliver the dog up the trail.  But this guy supposedly loved his dog so much he wouldn't leave him behind.  

You don't say what breed Nanook is.  Coursing breeds can go long, long distances day after day (upwards of 40-50 miles), and this is not only perfectly normal for them, they thrive on it.  What's really a travesty is keeping dogs like this penned up and not letting them do big miles!!!  Breeds created for other purposes, such as companions, may not handle the mileage as well.  

Pad conditioning is absolutely critical, because the southern PCT is like sandpaper to their pads (and to people's feet, too).  Booties can cause friction sores all over their feet -- what works for test hikes at lower mileage has much different effects with bigger miles.   The only way to condition for 25 mile days is to do 25 mile days.  Can you test him over abrasive surfaces?  Do the field work:  can your dog do mileage day after day and remain sound?  Don't wait until you get to Campo to find out.  

-=Donna Saufley=-




-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Lissner <mlissner@aidshike.org>
Sent: Apr 15, 2005 12:21 PM
To: PCT List <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Thru-hiking PCT w/ dog question

Scott, I should let you know that the people on this list are decidedly 
against thru-hiking with dogs. The argument is that the dogs can't tell 
their owners that they are hurting, or that the dogs simply aren't built 
for it, etc. Odds are good that you'll get a number of anti-dog comments.

That said, there is at least one person I can think of that is going to 
be hiking with their dog this year. If you find them, you'll be in good 
shape. On the other hand, if you do not, you're not going to get too 
many useful answers to that question on this list.

My suggestion to you would be to carry as much of the weight as 
possible, and then slowly give it to the dog until you're both equally 
tired at the end of the day. I have no experience with dogs though, so 
take it with a rather large grain of salt. My logic is that the dog is 
going to be the one hurting more at the end of a 20+ mile section.

Good luck.

-mike

www.aidshike.org
 -510.547.4299-



Melody dos Santos wrote:

> From the Pacific Crest Trail Association website 
> (http://www.pcta.org/about_trail/faqs.asp):
>
> *Q. Are dogs permitted on the PCT? *
>
> *A. *Dogs are permitted on the PCT except in areas administered by the 
> National Park Service and in the five California State Parks 
> <http://www.pcta.org/general/links/parks.asp>through which the trail 
> passes.
>
>
>
>
> Scott Schaffer wrote:
>
>> My name is Jim Scotts and I plan on hiking the PCT this year with my 
>> dog Nanook.  I plan on going really ultralight and have found tons of 
>> good info for me, but have not been able to find much info for long 
>> distance hiking for dogs.  My question is what?s a good ?rule of 
>> thumb? for the weight dogs can carry?  I feel that 25 Lbs would be a 
>> conservative start for a Husky of her size (< 25% of her body 
>> weight), but wonder what would be expected once she gets back in shape.
>>
>>        
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