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Post by vinovampire on Oct 19, 2015 8:25:27 GMT -8
For many of us some of our favorite hiking and backpacking partners are our "trail dogs." For a decade I had a wonderful female German Shepherd Dog who would hike and camp with me wherever I went. She was always smart, alert, well-mannered, and responsive...just a great companion. During the past few months I've had a wonderful new dog who I've started to introduce to the trail and hiking. It's important to me to have a well-trained dog that enhances rather than distracts from the enjoyment of the trail. And this girl is doing great--a doll on the leash (which she's on 99% of the time except during the steepest descents and for pictures), solid with commands, so quiet you could almost forget she was there, and an angel with people and other dogs. I look forward to introducing her to camping next. Show us your favorite "Trail Dogs" in this thread! I'd love to see the furry friends of other Backpackers out on the trail and in the backcountry. Practicing a Solid Sit/Stay on Stowe Pinnacle in Vermont on October 18, 2015Hiking into the Clouds on Camels Hump, Vermont on July 21, 2007
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talus
Trail Wise!
Posts: 560
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Post by talus on Oct 19, 2015 10:51:06 GMT -8
Here's our guy that we lost this year:
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cajun
Trail Wise!
GEAUX TIGERS!!
Posts: 189
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Post by cajun on Oct 19, 2015 19:08:03 GMT -8
We love Choco so much that she ended up our family pictures at the beach earlier this year. ETA: Choco and I actually did hike at this and nearby beaches. Those pictures don't look any more trail-like than this one.
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,710
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 19, 2015 21:07:57 GMT -8
Dragon wasn't my dog--but Eldest Son and I enjoyed hiking with him (oh, yeah, and Deborah) in 2007. Best-behaved dog I met, and it was his first hike!
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Post by vinovampire on Oct 21, 2015 9:01:17 GMT -8
Love the pictures! There are some really happy dogs out there with Forum members.
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Post by Coolkat on Oct 21, 2015 9:57:07 GMT -8
I've always wanted to do this with my Malinios but was worried about what her toe nails might do the tent floor.
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echo
Trail Wise!
Posts: 3,334
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Post by echo on Oct 21, 2015 15:59:19 GMT -8
My greyhound rescues were with me from about five until they died of old age. George and Grace were once known as enchanted dream and the hard drive kid Then this blind marvel, is Ferd, my son's dog but I get him whenever my son is working out of town. And with Ferd is our own Zeke
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Post by trinity on Oct 21, 2015 16:39:21 GMT -8
Here's my Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Floyd, on a trip to the Pecos Wilderness a few years back. He's been a great backpacking companion, and hopefully has a few good years left in him.
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Post by trinity on Oct 21, 2015 16:47:06 GMT -8
I've always wanted to do this with my Malinios but was worried about what her toe nails might do the tent floor. I've never had any problem with this, but I'm sure it happens. I always trim my dog's nails right before a trip. Some people have their dogs wear booties while in the tent, others put down tyvek to protect the floor. My dog usually stays on his bed when in the tent, so his claws are not directly on the floor very frequently.
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Deborah
Trail Wise!
Yes, that's me.
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Deborah on Oct 22, 2015 5:04:49 GMT -8
Dragon wasn't my dog--but Eldest Son and I enjoyed hiking with him (oh, yeah, and Deborah) in 2007. Best-behaved dog I met, and it was his first hike! When I saw the title of the thread I wondered if someone else would post a photo of Dragon. So many from around here hiked with him I know there are lots of photos of him. He was a fine dog.
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,710
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 22, 2015 8:04:24 GMT -8
Don't you have any pictures of him, Deborah? I still chuckle every time I think of Dragon's reaction to his first snowbank
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cajun
Trail Wise!
GEAUX TIGERS!!
Posts: 189
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Post by cajun on Oct 22, 2015 18:21:35 GMT -8
Dragon & the Drews
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TJCeeJay
Trail Wise!
Take a hike!
Posts: 66
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Post by TJCeeJay on Oct 22, 2015 21:22:02 GMT -8
Hey everyone! Bud at Butedale Lake. Bud at Work Island, across the channel from Butedale. And Bud cooling off, (waiting for me to catch up), during a hike to the lake. Still livin' and lovin' the dream, y'all! Cheers!
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Post by Coolkat on Oct 23, 2015 5:11:06 GMT -8
My dog usually stays on his bed when in the tent, so his claws are not directly on the floor very frequently. You carry a separate dog bed with you?
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Post by trinity on Oct 23, 2015 15:58:45 GMT -8
You carry a separate dog bed with you? Yes. Or more accurately, he carries his own bed, it fits nicely in his pack. It is a Ruffwear Highlands Bed, which is on the pricey side, but is by far the most lightweight and packable bed I've been able to find, and I feel like he needs something to insulate him from the ground in cold weather.
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