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Topic |
Nanaimo, BC
Canada
531 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2010 : 9:54 PM
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Here's mine.
We asked many of the same questions posted by blackfly then searched SPCA's through BC we found her in Parksville. At which time she was getting close to being considered unadoptable. She was abandoned very young and spent most of her first 5 months at the SPCA. We were lucky to have had the time and lifestyle that suited her. She was a ton of work but wouldn't trade her for the world
Border Collie / Heeler / Husky cross about 50lbs is willing to do anything anytime.
This is Koolah when we first got her climbing at Horne Lake
Here she is today
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Edited by - Mike Valhalla on 11/01/2010 10:14 PM |
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Terrace, BC
957 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2010 : 10:43 PM
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I'm totally in favour of the collie/ cross types.
Our best dog is and will always remain just that.
Sticks like glue, tons of energy, and listens.
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Vancouver
349 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2010 : 10:57 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by TNJed
  
hey Luke, very funny that he reminds me that We met on Coliseum before 32-17  Nice dog, tho. |
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 Night owl posting,Subie driving, backpacking Dad who is perpetually trying to catch up to his kids on the trail.
Vancouver, BC
Canada
3052 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2010 : 12:08 AM
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The Australian Kelpie is a pure working dog with almost limitless energy and great intelligence (a destructive combination if you don't ensure that they get lots of activity). Their agility is demonstrated by their ability to run across the backs of a churning herd of sheep. They don't require any grooming, are very healthy and will follow you anywhere.
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34 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2010 : 5:21 PM
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I have two Berners and they are great on the trail (and off)!
The pug isn't quite a timberwolf, but he is incredibly amusing to hike with.
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50 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2010 : 9:47 PM
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I am GIN
SPCA`adopted
120 pounds of lean machine
well mannered with kids and adults, dont care much for other larger dogs that act tough. I take them out instantly,if needed.
80% black lab, pitbull and mastive mix. I do not hunt or chase(was trained) Hikes are welcome, winter camps can be tough and I like to come inside the shelter. I prefer steep challenging terain and water and lots of play. Intruders like strange people and wildlife piss me off, and I will alert and fight.
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canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6770 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2010 : 10:25 PM
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| Hes been awesome and tough and kind all at once, a bit big for most people though, eats and craps like a horse and needs activity. Obeys commands with stride, not irritated by firewroks or by large bore multiple gun shots, loves challenges all around |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
145 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2010 : 12:45 PM
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I spent a summer in the Kootenays looking after a malemute and a mutt (110lbs and part lab, part other breed(s). Together we climbed more than 20 mtns and the mutt was the better scrambler and more enthusiatic hiker.
Both dogs had difficulty climbing steep sections and sometimes it was really difficult to lift them above my head with their tails wrapped between their legs and their legs tucked in doing nothing to help get over this section. Both were also terrible in large sized boulder fields where you had to climb down into holes and then out again. Despite this their antics and personalities would often amuse me and overall I enjoyed hiking with them.
Another disadvantage was that both chased all mammals they saw except bears.
I had never looked after a dog before and I was surprised by how many people seeing the dogs said what a beautiful dog the malemute was, and expressed interest in it. The mutt was completely ignored, not once on our visits to towns did anyone say anything about him. |
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29 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2010 : 9:16 PM
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I is a rare sable Malamute..
Gin was no match for me when I was younger, I had stamina and would go on steady, no matter what terrain. I could sleep outside -20C. Gin would piss around at first and then tire out.I move for days on end..I used to beat him up a bit when he annoyed me 
Summer could be tough and I need water, but could do for long periods without.
I am not very loyal, most people would be fun to hang around. I am gentle, quiet and do not make a good guard dog, but my size often makes people think twice. Kids are cool. I shed and have a mind of my own.Sometimes I chase, but AT got a handle on that.
But hey people love me to death! I am soo good looking
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
2659 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2010 : 9:27 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Pooh Bear
But hey people love me to death! I am soo good looking
Yes you are! I miss camping with you. |
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
57 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2010 : 11:30 AM
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For those out there wanting a dog that can go the distance with their own supplies; I thought I would put together are few tips...
Having trained dogs for sled dog racing, show, tracking and so many other things and now my own Girl starting to show her age I was thinking what I loved about Abbs and needed in my next pooch.
Structure is very important as anything not build with *balance* will break down and not be able to do the job. Therefore lets talk about a few very important structure details for a dog hiking and carrying her own gear in the mountains.
Feet...tough so they don't slip apart every time you go out. This is genetic and soft feet can be a problem in some breeds. I saw a poor aussie on the trail last week with worn pads that needed a bandage job. Although every dog will have to get tough feet some dogs are better then others.
Pasturns...this is the ankle on the front legs..strength here is important when this breaks down the dog can't carry her own supplies or make the long distances. Pounding up and down those mountains are hard work on the front end of a dog.
Balance...by this I mean that her front shoulder assembly is set at a simular to equal value as her rear assembly there are tones of web pages to look this up for detail but a balanced animal can travel longer farther with more weight expending way less energy they a unbalanced animal.
HEAT...Ask yourself how much hiking/treking do you or will you be doing in the heat?? if this is a case you need a dog that isn't naturally **hot** or isn't a short nosed breed. Abby is a boxer and her nose is short making her work harder at keeping her body cool. The nasel cavity just isn't long enough to cool the air before it hits the longs making for days like this week more exhausting..now being that I live in Alberta and the warm weather is rare and I set my pace to hers on hot hot days its all good...but don't get a snorty dog if you travel to warm area's alot.
Of course check temperment..you want a dog that is willing to do the push with you, quiet on the trail, will respond to you and is trained enough to know all the trail rules!!!! Yappy dogs get wildlife, humans and themselves into trouble...even those that are barkers when excited...thats really the worst time becuase forsure they will get excited on a bear sighting and YOU DO NOT WANT THAT!!!!!
Many will find lots of these great well put together dogs in the pound...farm dogs, retired sled dogs and yukon mutts make great partners...But so do purebreds when they come from a breeder that is educated about working animals and health testing within their breed.
Enjoy your fur friend and have a great summer!!
*************************************
I wrote that a few summers ago and since then we have had to retire Miss Abby and have a young German Short Hair pointer..she is a GREAT working dog but a little hard to live with in the house...She canicross, bikjores, and dog scooters. She is on the trail in gear with MANORS as often as I get out.
But let me advise you to get a good hiking dog is alot of work...what you put in is what you get out
Also remeber you need a dog that can live with you at home while you are at work 5 days a week!!
Every dog needs 30mins of exercise and training a day the higher drive kids need at least that and then some release runs on the weekends. Getting a dog requires lots of thought but getting the dog you want is a BIGGER investment of time and energy....whew I forgot going from a ten year old trained gal to a frisky fun loving pup!!!
although let me share with you how much fun and easy(once trained) bikjoring and dog scootering is for after work exercise........wOOOp!!!!
Tamara |
Edited by - TAlicia on 11/09/2010 11:44 AM |
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Night owl posting,Subie driving, backpacking Dad who is perpetually trying to catch up to his kids on the trail.
Vancouver, BC
Canada
3052 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2010 : 12:19 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by TAlicia
For those out there wanting a dog that can go the distance with their own supplies; I thought I would put together are few tips...
Having trained dogs for sled dog racing, show, tracking and so many other things and now my own Girl starting to show her age I was thinking what I loved about Abbs and needed in my next pooch.
Structure is very important as anything not build with *balance* will break down and not be able to do the job. Therefore lets talk about a few very important structure details for a dog hiking and carrying her own gear in the mountains.
Feet...tough so they don't slip apart every time you go out. This is genetic and soft feet can be a problem in some breeds. I saw a poor aussie on the trail last week with worn pads that needed a bandage job. Although every dog will have to get tough feet some dogs are better then others.
Pasturns...this is the ankle on the front legs..strength here is important when this breaks down the dog can't carry her own supplies or make the long distances. Pounding up and down those mountains are hard work on the front end of a dog.
Balance...by this I mean that her front shoulder assembly is set at a simular to equal value as her rear assembly there are tones of web pages to look this up for detail but a balanced animal can travel longer farther with more weight expending way less energy they a unbalanced animal.
HEAT...Ask yourself how much hiking/treking do you or will you be doing in the heat?? if this is a case you need a dog that isn't naturally **hot** or isn't a short nosed breed. Abby is a boxer and her nose is short making her work harder at keeping her body cool. The nasel cavity just isn't long enough to cool the air before it hits the longs making for days like this week more exhausting..now being that I live in Alberta and the warm weather is rare and I set my pace to hers on hot hot days its all good...but don't get a snorty dog if you travel to warm area's alot.
Of course check temperment..you want a dog that is willing to do the push with you, quiet on the trail, will respond to you and is trained enough to know all the trail rules!!!! Yappy dogs get wildlife, humans and themselves into trouble...even those that are barkers when excited...thats really the worst time becuase forsure they will get excited on a bear sighting and YOU DO NOT WANT THAT!!!!!
Many will find lots of these great well put together dogs in the pound...farm dogs, retired sled dogs and yukon mutts make great partners...But so do purebreds when they come from a breeder that is educated about working animals and health testing within their breed.
Enjoy your fur friend and have a great summer!!
*************************************
I wrote that a few summers ago and since then we have had to retire Miss Abby and have a young German Short Hair pointer..she is a GREAT working dog but a little hard to live with in the house...She canicross, bikjores, and dog scooters. She is on the trail in gear with MANORS as often as I get out.
But let me advise you to get a good hiking dog is alot of work...what you put in is what you get out
Also remeber you need a dog that can live with you at home while you are at work 5 days a week!!
Every dog needs 30mins of exercise and training a day the higher drive kids need at least that and then some release runs on the weekends. Getting a dog requires lots of thought but getting the dog you want is a BIGGER investment of time and energy....whew I forgot going from a ten year old trained gal to a frisky fun loving pup!!!
although let me share with you how much fun and easy(once trained) bikjoring and dog scootering is for after work exercise........wOOOp!!!!
Tamara
Tamara
Great information! I totally agree about the need for exercise: Kinzie (definite high drive kid) needs an hour minimum of fairly intense activity each day just to stay sane. I haven't found her stopping point yet but 5-6 hours is enough to make her happy to take a break. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
36 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2010 : 10:18 AM
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There are lots of great online resources for choosing a breed that works for you. But remember, you're not hiking 24/7 so even if that is high on the priority list, make sure you pick a dog/breed that fits with other aspects of your life (e.g., kids vs. no kids, apt vs house, daily activity level reqs, work at home vs office).
Having said all that, there are TONS of amazing dogs that are great for hiking that could be found at your local SPCA. I personally know of someone who got an awesome rottweiler/lab mix from the SPCA who loves hiking, running, snowshoeing etc. Don't pass them up because they are not pure bred! Mutts need love too!
Good luck! |
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Campbell River, B.C.
Canada
116 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2011 : 11:48 PM
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| My Rottweiler loves to backpack. He is in good shape and can easily keep up with us, with a good chunk of weight (and his pack NEVER gets lighter ;) He keeps bears away and keeps us safe and loves meeting new people on the trail. His new brother is already loving the tent and good walks. They are serious weight haulers (25% of their weight) and have a good steady speed, but as soon as we are finished for the day, they are out cold before us. They are also very good family dogs and top ten for smarts. I like the fact they are very mellow after some exercise. I don't think I could handle, the non stop moving of some breeds. But before any breeds, I think it is great to let a dog be a dog, my dogs love more than anything to be in the bush. |
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South Surrey, BC
Canada
625 Posts |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
439 Posts |
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Topic |
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What breed makes a great hiking partner?
