Many people want their dogs with them no matter what they are doing. If you are the outdoorsy type, you might find that outdoor activities are much more fun when your dog is with you. However, some activities – like hiking – can present challenges when you bring your dog along.
How do you hike with a dog? First, you need to consider the type of dog you are bringing and make sure that your dog can handle your trail of choice. You will also need to bring food, water, a canine first-aid kit, and other supplies for your dog.
Bringing your dog along for your hike can be a rewarding experience for both of you. It can be great exercise for you both, as well as an excellent opportunity for bonding time. Read on to find out what you need to know before taking your dog on a hike.
Can You Hike with a Dog?
Yes, you can hike with a dog. People do it all the time, and it can be a terrific experience for both you and your dog. However, some dogs are not well suited for hiking. For example, if you have an old dog or a dog with severe health problems that cannot deal with extended bouts of exercise, hiking with your dog may not be a good idea.
There are also things that you need to remember to be able to hike even with the most suitable dogs, such as:
- You need to make sure that dogs are allowed on the land where you are going to be hiking. If there are any areas on the land that are off-limits to dogs, you will need to respect those rules, as well.
- It is essential that you keep your dog on a leash when you go hiking with him. Even if your dog is very well trained, you don’t know how he’s going to behave in a different area.
Being able to walk him without a leash in your neighborhood does not translate to being able to do the same in the wild, for a few different reasons:
- He could take off after another animal and end up getting lost.
- Dogs are natural predators, and the scent that they leave behind can disrupt the feeding and nesting activities of the fauna in the area.
- Having your dog off of the leash can make other hikers feel uncomfortable and potentially scared.
Before venturing out to your hiking trails with your dog, you must also be aware of the following:
- Be prepared to clean up after your dog. This means that you need to either bring along materials to be able to bury his waste or carry plastic bags so that you can keep it with you and dispose of it once you’re done with the hike. Dog feces contains fecal coliform bacteria, and it can also contain Giardia and Salmonella. If you leave his excrement behind on the trail, it can spread diseases to other animals in the area.
- Keep to yourselves as much as you can. Other hikers, even those with dogs, might not want to interact with your dog. Also, other dogs that you might encounter might end up hurting your dog, even if they seem friendly initially.
- Bring more than enough food and water for your dog. You need to plan for his needs during the entire time you are going to be hiking. Bring even more food and water for him for the time than you would typically feed him at home because he is going to be more active while he is hiking.
- Treat your dog with heartworm preventative medication and insecticide before the hike, to protect him from heartworm, fleas, and ticks.
- Never leave your dog in a closed vehicle. This is something that you should remember at all times. When it is hot outside, and even when it’s not that hot, it can get extremely hot inside of a car.
(Source: American Hiking).
Best Dog Breeds to Hike With
Having a dog with you on a hike can make the hike much better. However, you need to make sure that your dog is suitable for this activity. Many dogs aren’t. Generally, the best dogs to hike with our ones that are very energetic and can deal with high-impact exercise.
The following are some of the best dog breeds for hiking. Of course, you should keep in mind that there are exceptions within all of these breeds, and there are dogs of other breeds who could potentially make excellent hiking companions as well. (Source: American Kennel Club).
Border Collie
The Border Collie is very well known for his intelligence and high energy levels. He’s also very easy to train. Even though you always need to have your dog on a leash when you are hiking on a public trail, he’ll be relatively capable of learning to stay with you even without a leash.
This means that if you ever end up in an unexpected situation where he isn’t on a leash, you’ll be less likely to have to worry about losing him. With this particular dog, you just need to be able to provide plenty of physical and mental stimulation while you have him on the trail.
Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd is active, agile, and full of energy. He’s closely related to the border collie, which explains their similar personality traits. He needs plenty of exercise, so hiking will be an excellent way to burn off his energy. He’s also very work-oriented, so it would be good, not to mention fun for you both, if you can come up with games for him to play while you are taking him on the trail.
Jack Russell Terrier
Even though you may think that small dogs won’t be good hiking buddies, this is not always the case. The Jack Russell Terrier is small, but he’s also extremely energetic and intelligent. He is a hunting dog as well and has a high prey drive. He has a lot of endurance and will enjoy a long hiking trip.
However, this dog can become very destructive if you don’t give him plenty of physical and mental exercise. This is all the more reason to take him hiking. If you have the time and energy to make sure that he gets plenty of exercise regularly, he can be a great companion for your outdoor adventures (Source: Hiking Gear Guru).
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Strong and agile, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a fantastic hiking companion. He is great to take when hiking and even mountain climbing. He is a hunting dog; the breed became widespread when used by African lion hunters. However, he is relatively independent and aloof, meaning that he won’t necessarily deal with strangers very well unless you socialized him at a very young age.
Treeing Walker Coonhound
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is very well-suited to nature. He is easily able to navigate wild terrain and even climb when you need him to do so. However, he is also a born hunter, like other types of hounds. He has a very keen sense of smell and will be likely to take off after small animals if you don’t have him on a leash. (Source: Orvis)
German Short-Haired Pointer
The German Short-Haired Pointer has tons of energy and is a terrific breed to bring along on a hiking trip. He is an amiable and loving dog, and he will be at his happiest when you are providing him with a lot of exercise. This dog needs a lot of exercise to prevent him from becoming anxious and potentially destructive. He’s a natural hunter, so it is particularly important to keep him on a leash unless you’re going hunting.
Bernese Mountain Dog
You can see just by looking at this dog’s name that he was made for the outdoors. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a Swiss working breed that was initially bred to pull carts through the Alps. So, if you’re going to be doing a lot of climbing, he will be a great companion for you.
However, this dog is prone to certain health conditions, such as bloat, hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia. Get him examined by a veterinarian before you bring him on a mountain hike. You want to make sure that he is cleared for strenuous activity.
Miniature Pinscher
The Miniature Pinscher is another option for people who like hiking but would prefer to take a smaller dog. He has plenty of energy and is full of life. Even though he’s only about 10 pounds, he has an adventurous personality and loves to explore. He doesn’t have as much endurance as some other dogs; however, because he is so small, if he gets tired, you can easily pick him up and carry him if you need to do so. (Source: Orvis)
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is naturally adapted to the cold since the breed originated in Northeastern Asia. If you are going hiking in a cold location, such as the snowy mountains, he’ll be completely comfortable coming with you. He has tons of energy and will be able to withstand the endurance of a long hike in the mountains.
The Siberian Husky is a fascinating companion. He has a very independent and mischievous personality, and he is usually smarter than he appears on the surface. You need to present him with physical and mental challenges regularly, or else he might end up getting destructive or running away. Obedience training can also be challenging with this breed, meaning that you must have him on a leash at all times when you are taking him hiking.
Dogs That You Should Avoid Hiking With
Just as there are breeds that would be great to take on a hike, there are some that you should not hike with. However, it doesn’t always come solely down to the breed. You also need to consider the conditions of the hiking trail, as well as the age and physical condition of your dog.
There are a few categories of dogs that are typically not fit for hiking:
- Older dogs. They are more likely to have health issues, such as kidney disease and arthritis, that could make conquering a hiking trail dangerous for them.
- You may think that puppies are perfect for hiking because they have so much energy to burn, but the truth is that the excessive exercise of a long hike could be bad for their growing bodies.
- Dogs with significant health problems. You don’t want to take these dogs out on a remote hiking trail; it’s always better to keep them close to medical care in case they might need it.
- Brachycephalic dog breeds. These flat-faced, dogs, such as bulldogs and pugs, are not compatible with hiking. Their flat faces come with a host of respiratory issues, and you can end up harming them by subjecting them to overly strenuous exercise.
You also need to consider the weather when you are deciding whether your dog will be an appropriate companion on your hike.
- If you are going to hike in a frigid location, a dog with a double coat (such as a German Shepherd or Siberian Husky) will be better able to cope with the temperature than a short-haired dog with a single coat. Chihuahuas, whippets, and greyhounds are examples of dogs that may not be able to handle colder temperatures.
- If the weather is going to be very hot, you would be better off not bringing your dog at all since dogs can be prone to heat stroke and heat exhaustion in hot temperatures, especially if they are very active.
Hiking with Dogs of Different Sizes
There are precautions that you need to take when you bring any dog hiking with you. However, in some cases, you will need to keep the size of the dog in mind as well.
Hiking with Small Dogs
Small dogs can be great hiking companions, but there are a few things that you need to remember:
- Small dogs are often not aware of their size, and they will be more likely to overexert themselves than the larger ones. They have to work harder to cover the same distance.
- Start small and work your way up. Take your dog on short hikes first to make sure that he can handle it.
- Choose even trails with less elevation and clear paths. You should also be aware of creeks and streams, as these might be very hard for a smaller dog to cross. Also, your dog needs to be able to jump over logs and handle boulders.
- Take frequent breaks. A small dog might need a break more than anyone else who is on the hike. Smaller dogs are more likely to overheat because they are picking up heat from the sun that radiates off of the ground as well as heat from above.
- Make sure you have the appropriate gear. One example is a harness since it will give him the support that will allow you to help him get over large obstacles, such as logs. The rabbitgoo Dog Harness is one great option.
- Don’t hesitate to pick your dog up and carry him for extended periods if he seems to be overly tired. It might be a good idea to bring a backpack or day pack that you can use to carry him; of course, remember to let him poke his head out!
- Pay special attention to signage that indicates predators in the area. Small dogs are more vulnerable to predators, such as coyotes and alligators, than bigger dogs might be. In these areas, be particularly careful not to let your dog off the leash. (Source: MNN).
Hiking with Medium-Sized Dogs
Typically, medium-sized dogs are the ones that you will have to make the fewest special efforts to care for during a hike. Because they are not on either size extreme, you will generally be able to follow the generic rules with them with good results.
Of course, you do need to remember that every dog is different and that if you have any health concerns regarding your dog, you should speak to a veterinarian before taking him on a hike.
Hiking with Large Dogs
Large dogs come with the advantage of needing to exert less energy to travel the same distance as a smaller dog. They are also generally less vulnerable to predators that you might encounter.
One thing that you need to keep in mind with a large dog is that it’ll be even more vital that you can keep the dog under control on a leash. If you have a sizeable, unruly dog who will pull you in every direction, this can lead to disaster on an unfamiliar trail when he pulls you harder than you can handle.
Tips for Hiking with Dogs
Outside of the information already provided, there are other hiking tips that you should keep in mind when taking your dog with you:
- Look up and note the contact information of the nearest emergency vet to your trail before you leave. This way, if there is an emergency, you’ll be able to take your dog to the vet without wasting too much time.
- Make sure that your dog is licensed before you take him out. It would be an advantage if you also have him microchipped. (Source: MNN)
- If your dog is excessively panting, drooling, suddenly slowing his pace, visibly exhausted, or showing other signs of fatigue, it’s time to take a break.
- Don’t let your dog drink stagnant water. You don’t know what kinds of chemicals or harmful organisms could be in it.
- If your dog has eaten or drank something and is now gagging and vomiting, stop the hike and take your dog to the vet immediately. If you know what made your dog sick, bring a sample of it to show to the vet.
- Learn what poison ivy looks like and avoid it. Even though it is hard for your dog to get poison ivy, the irritating oil from the plant can get on his fur, which can get on your skin when you pet him.
- After walking for long periods, check the pads of your dog’s paws for wounds. If you see him continually licking or gnawing at them, he might have stepped on a sharp thorn or rock.
- Check your dog for bristles and ticks before putting him in the car, and keep him on a towel or blanket while he is in the car.
- Bathe him as soon as you get home.
What to Bring When Hiking with a Dog
There are a few specific things that you should remember to bring when you are hiking with a dog. They include the following:
- To maximize your dog’s energy levels, bring dry food with high protein and fat content levels. Bring the amount of food your dog usually eats per day, in addition to an extra cup of dry dog food per 20 pounds of dog.
- Water and a collapsible dish. You should be offering your dog water every time you feel thirsty. Generally, for large dogs, bring an ounce of water per pound of dog per day. For smaller dogs, bring 1.5 ounces of water per pound of dog per day.
- A way to dispose of dog poop. Either bring plastic bags that you will continue to carry with you and dispose of once you are off the trail or a trowel to use to bury his droppings.
- Flashlight or glowstick. Have this attached to his collar, so you can keep track of him when it’s dark.
- Use this to clean and dry your dog before letting him in the tent or your car after the trip.
- Sleeping pad. Bring a lightweight foam pad for your dog to sleep on. A blanket would be useful as well if it is going to be cold out.
- Collar and tag. Your dog must wear his identifying information, such as his name, your telephone number, and license information, in case he gets away from you during the hike.
(Source: Backpacker).
Don’t Forget a Canine First Aid Kit!
Many things should be included in a canine first aid kit, such as:
- Heavy-duty bandages and gauze. There are many ways that your dog can cut himself on a hiking trail, and you want to be prepared.
- Liquid bandages. Your dog might cut or split his paw pads, which can be extremely painful. A regular bandage won’t suffice since it would be on the bottom of his paw and could quickly come off while he is walking.
- Antiseptic and antibiotic ointment. Make sure that if your dog has a cut, you not only put on a bandage, but you also apply an antiseptic and antibiotic. Just using a bandage can sometimes lead to an infection. They must be dog-friendly ointments; there are ingredients in the human versions that may be toxic to a dog.
- Pliers and tweezers. You’ll need these to remove ticks or thorns that get stuck in your dog’s skin.
- Styptic swabs. These swabs are perfect for stopping bleeding.
- Canine sunscreen. Your dog may be covered in fur, but his skin is still exposed to UV light, especially areas like the nose. A product like this sunscreen and skin conditioner can be excellent protection for exposed areas of your dog’s skin.
- Tecnu. If your dog comes into contact with poison ivy or oak, this will help prevent the irritating rash.
There are also pre-made canine first aid kits that you can buy, such as the PushOn Dog First Aid Kit and the RC Pet Products Pet First Aid Kit.
You can also learn more about making a homemade first aid kit in this helpful article.
Keep the Weather in Mind
When you are dealing with extreme weather, you might need to bring extra gear for your dog. First, whether it is hot or cold, you will need to bring extra water for your dog. In either situation, it will take more effort for your dog to walk on the trail, and the cold can cause dehydration just as the heat can. Also, bring nutrient-rich food and snacks to keep your dog’s energy levels up.
In the cold weather, there are certain things that you should bring, other than a jacket and harness for your dog:
- Absorbent towel.If there’s snow on the ground, your dog is more likely to get wet, so you should bring a towel to keep him dry.
- Sleeping bag and blanket.Your dog will be more able to stay warm with a bag and fleece or wool blanket at night.
- Your dog’s paws are better able to handle cold weather than your bare feet, but they can still experience cuts and cracks when they are continually exposed to ice and snow.
(Source: Reserve America)
The supplies you need to bring for hot weather are more similar than you think to the supplies that you need in the cold:
- Absorbent towel.In hot weather, you’ll want the towel to wet and drape over your dog if you think he’s getting too hot.
- The ground may be too hot for your dog’s feet. A good rule of thumb is: if it’s too hot for your bare feet, you should put booties on your dog.
Additionally, heatstroke can be very dangerous and even fatal in dogs, so it’s essential to recognize the signs, which are:
- Excessive panting and salivation
- Weakness and listlessness
- Ataxia (inability to coordinate movements)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Shaking
- Seizures
- Collapsing
If you observe any of these, immediately stop and give your dog a break. Cool him down with a wet towel and let him drink some water. After he has had some time to cool down, end the hike and take him to the nearest vet.
Final Thoughts
Hiking with a dog is not only possible but recommended for dogs that can do it. It gives both you and your dog exercise, and it’s also great for both of you to be exposed to the great outdoors. However, you do need to keep several things in mind when you are bringing your dog with you, such as following the rules, tending to his needs, and keeping him safe.
