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972 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 07:02 AM
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Hey,
I am looking into getting a dog in the next year or so and i am wondering what suggestion others might have as to the best breed to pick for an all around mountain dog.
i know answers will vary,but what do you think the best kind of dog would be to get,if i wanted to take it for hikes and scrambles with me.
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Not too far from Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
224 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 07:24 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by nmcan84
Hey,
I am looking into getting a dog in the next year or so and i am wondering what suggestion others might have as to the best breed to pick for an all around mountain dog.
i know answers will vary,but what do you think the best kind of dog would be to get,if i wanted to take it for hikes and scrambles with me.
Well, I would imagine you don't want a pug or a bulldog or a great dane (since those breeds are all low-activity/low energy dogs...).
My advice would be to go to the local shelter(s) and see what is available, rather than focusing on a specific "breed". After all, you can get a good idea of a particular dog's energy and activity levels from the shelter staff, and many shelters will actually offer you a "full-refund trial period" (which is usually a one week to a one month period) in order to see if the dog is a "good fit" with you. As such, once you've got the dog in your posession, you can try taking him/her out for a few hikes to see how he/she behaves and how he/she reacts to it.... If his/her personality/energy levels don't mesh with yours, then take the dog back and keep looking; simple as that. However, if you "limit" yourself to a particular breed, then you may end up getting a dog that is less-than-suited to your all-around lifestyle.
ADD: I guess the thing that I like most about adopting from a shelter is that you can go in there with a particular breed/type of dog in mind, and then end up walking out with something totally different than what you expected...simply because you happened to stumble across a dog that had everything you were looking for and more (which is exactly what happened to me when I adopted "Jasper" almost two years ago...).
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Edited by - Hiking Solo on 03/09/2012 07:38 AM |
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
1197 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 08:56 AM
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If I were to get one for hiking, it would probably be a Lab. I think their coats would be easier to manage, they always seem full of energy and they're a Canadian breed!
I'm sure you could find lots of useful tips by googling "good hiking breed" or "good hiking dog" |
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 canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6784 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 08:59 AM
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| what will it do when you are not out? some breeds dont do so well left alone at home for long periods. You have a yard/House/Condo? |
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Calgary, Alberta
Canada
1197 Posts |
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Edmonton, AB
Canada
61 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 09:17 AM
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I am in the same boat, looking for a dog in a 2-3 years. I am of the opinion a bird hunting dog would have the same desirable attributes you would look for in a mountain dog. As a bonus if you like bird hunting you have a bird dog  . An SPCA dog like Hiking Solo mentioned would work as well. I am just putting this out there for another point of view. In fact you can get a bird dog quite easily from the SPCA, and if you are not a bird hunter you are likely not as concerned with genetic driven behaviours like pointing.
Bird dogs have high energy and are very intelligent (I have been told because they are smart they are harder to train though). I would consider the dogs coat a big factor depending whether you want to hike in summer only or would take it snow shoeing or skijoring (sp?).
Bird dogs:
Lab - great family dog, moderate/high energy, popular and easy to find or adopt.
German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) - great family dog, high/insane energy
German Wirehaired Pointer (GWP) - great family dog, high energy in field, switches off to relax at home
Large or Small Musterlander
Irish Setter
There are some other breeds that breeders only sell to hunters that are excellent as well.
Other dogs that might be of interest:
Portuguese Water Dog
Malamute
Here are some pictures of German Wirehaired Pointers (not mine). Coat color and texture varies quite a bit, but are normally liver coloured or liver/white.
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
874 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 09:19 AM
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If you want the dog to carry a pack for you, assume the dog can carry 25-30% of its own weight. We met a guy and dog on the Wapta traverse where the dog was carrying 20 kg. The skier said his pack only weighed 10. Imagine winter camping for a week with a 10 kg pack.
On the other hand, big dogs tend to live much shorter lives. And they can be much less social (ie, they may eat your neighbour's kitten or bite his kids). Also, poop'n'scoop becomes a major challenge when your mutt eats more than you every day.
My preference would be a well adjusted mid-size sheperd / lab / Hienz 52 mutt, 2-3 years old.
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
277 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 09:42 AM
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I'd suggest working with a rescue or shelter, for this reason: the dog you choose will need to have certain personality traits and certain physical traits (size etc) and those things can be found in so many breeds. No matter which breed you adopt or where the dog comes from you will have to work with it intensively on training in order to work with it in the back country or off-leash. So you actually have more opportunity to meet your perfect match if you don't restrict yourself to a particular breed.
Another bonus opportunity is the foster-to-adopt scenario, which we did (unintentionally). We were fostering Oliver and realized he was the perfect dog for us so we kept him. Fostering gives you a chance to live and work with a dog that needs a home, all costs are covered during the fostering (food, vet, training, supplies etc.). And if the dog is not a perfect match then the agency you work with will find it a forever home and you can continue your search 8)
If you haven't had a dog before do lots of research, and figure out the personality you need. High energy is good for hikes but really difficult if the dog is not working every day at a real job. Our Oliver is really mellow 99% of the time but loves to run and play in the woods, and can manage hikes for hours/days, but is equally happy to stay home and sleep if it's really lousy out-score for us!
Anyway, best of luck! If you are interested in fostering I can give you a few names of local groups that need foster homes. It was such a great way to integrate our dog into our home.
 happy hiking!
 equally happy napping... |
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bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4649 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 09:44 AM
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^
I don't think anyone looking for a dog to hike with should use being a pack mule as one of the pre-reqs. IMO, doggy packs are there for them to carry their own stuff i.e. food, water etc, not the owners stuff because they're too lazy to carry their own shit.
Mid-zize dogs are the way to go - 50 to 80lbs. Our Gin is 100lbs lab/pitt/mastiff. He's done well for the most part but is 9 years old now and has slowed down considerably. No more big trips for him. If we were to get another dog in the future, I'd aim for smaller, around 50 to 70lbs, where agility and stamina are key. No hunter dogs as they're a bitch to handle in the wild - cause they'll always have the tendency to run off after something.
Go to the SPCA and see what you can find, we lucked out with our two monsters  |
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3022 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 10:14 AM
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Some kind of retriever that responds well to training and can be used as a working-dog to retrieve ducks/geese when the water is too cold for me to swim in. Needs to be a quiet dog around other people and pets and nonagressive on any trail, quiet at home while owner[s] are away.
Might be able to carry it's own pack and tolerate a leash and not bark at its own shadow.
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Poco
Canada
230 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 10:53 AM
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We have a border collie/blue heeler cross. I read somewhere that collies are highly motivated to work in partnership with their owners and I can see that characteristic in her. I take her hiking with me all the time. She was easy to train, has LOTS of energy, and she is very intelligent.
Good luck :) |
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156 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 11:17 AM
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We have a 6 year old 80 lb border collie/husky mix who absolutely LOVES hiking and he has major stamina.. like, for an example, my husband went for a 20 km bike ride with our dog by his side, came home and he accidentally kicked the ball by the front door and our dog was raring to go for another run in the yard.
It really just depends on what you want... our dog needs to be run for at least an hour everyday to burn his energy down to 90 instead of 100%. Need to be prepared to do that if you want a mountain dog.
to end on a final note... our pup is the best dog ever :-) (and he was a SPCA dog too) |
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Nanaimo, BC
Canada
531 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 12:31 PM
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Also a Boarder Collie / Blue healer cross. She's now 5 and always good to go, she is very smart and great hiking/biking partner lots of energy when we are on the trail but when we are home she is content to sleep and is very mellow.
Also an SPCA dog. |
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Brentwood Bay, BC
215 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 12:32 PM
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I would for sure check out what breeds people think make a good hiking/mountain dog, just so you know what traits to look for when you are looking for your dog. And I would suggest the SPCA / rescue shelter route with a trial run to make sure that it is the dog for you.
Try to find out what you want and what you can give to the dog.
Labs have been mentioned above... one thing to consider with a Lab is that they LOVE water! That might be a plus or a minus depending on your tastes, etc. It might bother you to have a sea soaked dog with you in camp (with that sea soaked smell), or you might not mind as you will also be sea soaked. Also, Labs love to eat and are never full... might be a problem if they help themselves to your dinner. But, Labs are great dogs and would make my short list in a hiking/camping partner.
And since we're sharing our dogs here... Louise is a shepard/rotty/unkown cross, she loves the trails, loves the tent (tent = snuggle time), and at home is ok with hanging out and chilling. She's even ok chilling in the tent as I found out at Cape Scott this past summer when it rained (hard) just about every day so mornings were spent in the tent... she was often the last to leave the tent. And to add to the photo gallery of doggy pics...
Cape Scott
    
During and after at Mt. Work breaking trail after snowfall.
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Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5372 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 12:44 PM
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Krista was a shelter dog too amd with a fair bit of work she's become a very competent hiking companion. She's a lab x (with what? I'm not exactly sure!)
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Edited by - exscape on 03/09/2012 12:56 PM |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
1294 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 12:54 PM
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One thing to watch for if you're going with mid to large size breeds, especially pure breeds, is hip dysplacia.
Our Black Lab has a mild case, and he hasn't gone out into the mountains with us after he was a year old. He sure loved being out there, though, when he did. |
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1078 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 12:55 PM
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Please be aware that your dog will never be able to tell you if it wants to go with you or not. He won't be able to tell you if his pack is too heavy, if he hasn't gotten enough water, if he is overheating, if he is feeling weak right now. The sharp rocks of the alpine can be very very tough on him, he won't be able to tell you if he got a thorn or cut on his paw 3 miles previous. He wont' be able to tell you if his hip hurts, or if he is sick.
He can't even tell you if he likes any of this.
Being a loyal dog, he will simply follow you....you will project your feelings onto him: "he LOVES it out here...he LOVES mountains!!" Indeed, he may be happy to be outside, and relieved of boredom, or even with you, but whether or not he would truly choose to do this endeavor...you'll never know.
Anticipate all possible outcomes. What happens if you get separated out there? What will you do? Leave him in the Canadian Rockies? What are the possibilities if wildlife engages him? What happens if he gets injured and is limping? Will you be able carry him down a mountain?
Your dog should be like a child you are taking responsibility for and a lifetime commitment....good owners put their animal first, and give him/her the benefit of the doubt.
Is this truly the best reason for getting a pet? Is it fully thought out? What happens if gets injured or sick..or simply in a few years, too old, and can no longer go with you? What will his quality of life be like then? Will you still give him the same care and attention?
Perhaps you should think, if this dog can NEVER go with me on any trips, do I still want it. Can I still provide a quality life?
I can't make you or anyone think about these things, or accept them, but I think you will think about them. |
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bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4649 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 1:24 PM
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Good points to think about also. But I also think that if you're in-tune with your dog you'll be able to spot some of the issues you brought up. The more time you spend with him/her, it'll be easier to recognize signs of distress, whatever it may be (for the most part). You'll know when your dog is trying to tell you something. And sometimes, you just have to make the decision for your dog if something is out of reach for them even if they really really want to do it.
quote:
Originally posted by DCIPHER
Please be aware that your dog will never be able to tell you if it wants to go with you or not. He won't be able to tell you if his pack is too heavy, if he hasn't gotten enough water, if he is overheating, if he is feeling weak right now. The sharp rocks of the alpine can be very very tough on him, he won't be able to tell you if he got a thorn or cut on his paw 3 miles previous. He wont' be able to tell you if his hip hurts, or if he is sick.
He can't even tell you if he likes any of this.
Being a loyal dog, he will simply follow you....you will project your feelings onto him: "he LOVES it out here...he LOVES mountains!!" Indeed, he may be happy to be outside, and relieved of boredom, or even with you, but whether or not he would truly choose to do this endeavor...you'll never know.
Anticipate all possible outcomes. What happens if you get separated out there? What will you do? Leave him in the Canadian Rockies? What are the possibilities if wildlife engages him? What happens if he gets injured and is limping? Will you be able carry him down a mountain?
Your dog should be like a child you are taking responsibility for and a lifetime commitment....good owners put their animal first, and give him/her the benefit of the doubt.
Is this truly the best reason for getting a pet? Is it fully thought out? What happens if gets injured or sick..or simply in a few years, too old, and can no longer go with you? What will his quality of life be like then? Will you still give him the same care and attention?
Perhaps you should think, if this dog can NEVER go with me on any trips, do I still want it. Can I still provide a quality life?
I can't make you or anyone think about these things, or accept them, but I think you will think about them.
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 | Dru
Mountain Grammar Police
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Sardonic sandbagging scoundrel, Cascade Climbers lobotomized spraymeister, space blanket flyer, new millennium vulgarian betaboy and friend to all squids
Climbing, a mountain
Canada
∞ Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 2:05 PM
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| Have you considered switching species? There are some nice hiking companions in the ungulates. Goat, alpaca or llama? |
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1078 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 2:21 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Spunky
Good points to think about also. But I also think that if you're in-tune with your dog you'll be able to spot some of the issues you brought up. The more time you spend with him/her, it'll be easier to recognize signs of distress, whatever it may be (for the most part). You'll know when your dog is trying to tell you something. And sometimes, you just have to make the decision for your dog if something is out of reach for them even if they really really want to do it.
quote:
Originally posted by DCIPHER
Please be aware that your dog will never be able to tell you if it wants to go with you or not. He won't be able to tell you if his pack is too heavy, if he hasn't gotten enough water, if he is overheating, if he is feeling weak right now. The sharp rocks of the alpine can be very very tough on him, he won't be able to tell you if he got a thorn or cut on his paw 3 miles previous. He wont' be able to tell you if his hip hurts, or if he is sick.
He can't even tell you if he likes any of this.
Being a loyal dog, he will simply follow you....you will project your feelings onto him: "he LOVES it out here...he LOVES mountains!!" Indeed, he may be happy to be outside, and relieved of boredom, or even with you, but whether or not he would truly choose to do this endeavor...you'll never know.
Anticipate all possible outcomes. What happens if you get separated out there? What will you do? Leave him in the Canadian Rockies? What are the possibilities if wildlife engages him? What happens if he gets injured and is limping? Will you be able carry him down a mountain?
Your dog should be like a child you are taking responsibility for and a lifetime commitment....good owners put their animal first, and give him/her the benefit of the doubt.
Is this truly the best reason for getting a pet? Is it fully thought out? What happens if gets injured or sick..or simply in a few years, too old, and can no longer go with you? What will his quality of life be like then? Will you still give him the same care and attention?
Perhaps you should think, if this dog can NEVER go with me on any trips, do I still want it. Can I still provide a quality life?
I can't make you or anyone think about these things, or accept them, but I think you will think about them.
Quite true, and I think the more you think about these things, and if you are the type of person who thinks this way, the more likely you are pick up all kinds of things! For the pet owner who puts his dog, cat, whatever, before himself, even making great sacrifices (trips, jobs, etc) the reward will be an incredibly close, symbiotic relationship, that most pet owners will never know.
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972 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2012 : 3:34 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Dru
Have you considered switching species? There are some nice hiking companions in the ungulates. Goat, alpaca or llama?
i did try hiking with a squirrel once,but he left me on my own after a short amount time,to quench his insatiable hunger for nuts.
thanks everyone else for the info! but please dcipher,keep to the subject as to the best breed for mountain travel. i'm sure i can take care of my dog just fine when i get one.
i think about animals before humans,so my pet will get the love and respect it deserves. |
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looking for a mountain dog
