A Small Dog

Climbing Mt. Everest with a Small Dog(?)

Posted on 28. Nov, 2008 by Jeff K. in Having Fun with A Small Dog

When I was a lad, I imagined hiking the craggy ridgelines of the Rocky Mountains with my trusty Labrador Retriever at my side. The rugged beast would take to the task as a duck to water. Sure-footed and determined, my Lab would bound up the slopes, occasionally glancing back at me to make sure I was okay. I could visualize him standing on a high peak, his proud profile backlit by the sun. He would look at me as if to say “Job well done!”

Here is how my vision turned out. My mental picture of a Labrador has been replaced with the reality of a Schnauzer-Poodle mix (Schnoodle,) and a Miniature Pinscher (Min Pin.) The craggy ridgelines of the Rockies are actually the slopes and hills of North Georgia. My beasts are anything but rugged or sure-footed. The Min Pin has a penchant for getting stung by bees and the Schnoodle loves to roll in horse manure on the trail. Neither one looks at me, and neither implies “Job well done!” Typically the Min Pin wraps his retractable leash around the nearest bush while the Schnoodle takes off after a teasing squirrel. And yet, it’s all great fun; and a small time adventure every time we go hiking together.

When we think of taking a hike with a dog, we typically think of traveling with a large “outdoorsy” dog—a retriever or a gun dog.

I mean, come on, can you imagine sending your Chihuahua into icy pond water to fetch a duck you have just shot with your 12-guage?! “Get the duck, my little Chi Chi. Get in the water and get the duck.”

It might not occur to us that a Schnauzer or a Boston Terrier would make a good hiking companion, but they do! Small dogs do not fit the stereotype of the rugged all-terrain canine, but any small dog will enjoy the sights and scents of a woodland trail.

It’s true some small dogs with short or spindly legs will have a harder time coping with rutted and steep trails than their larger cousins. Low energy dogs that prefer a nice warm lap to a romp in the park are probably not going to do well on the icy slopes of Mt. Ranier. Even so, with a little research, you can probably find a trail somewhere in your area that matches both you and your small dog’s physical capabilities. I will have more on how to find the perfect trail at the end of this article.

Once you have found the ideal trail, it is time to prepare for the hike. The general rule of preparation is: whatever you would do for yourself to prepare, do for your dog as well. Water? Pack enough for da both a yuz, (as they say in the Bronx.) Food? If you think you will need food for energy on the trail, then your small dog will too. Mosquito protection? Here it gets a bit tricky. The ingredients in most mosquito repellents used by humans will make a dog sick. There are some citronella-based repellents that are safe for dogs, but they are also not very effective. Some flea and tick formulas for dogs also have an anti-mosquito ingredient. Check with your veterinarian. Shelter? If you are going to camp out overnight, your small dog will probably do okay sharing your tent with you. Sun protection? Again, it gets a bit tricky because you cannot smear sunscreen all over your dog. Realize your small dog has his own protective cover in the form of a fur coat, as long as your dog is not a hairless variety, or has recently been shaved short. In all cases, as you hike, you will want to give your dog plenty of opportunities to get out of the sun to cool down and rest. Common sense should prevail. If you choose to hike in cold weather, realize that small dogs, with their lighter body mass, tend to chill easier than large, heavy-set dogs. A dog coat and careful monitoring of your dog’s physical condition should ward off the cold.

Speaking of physical condition, make sure your dog is physically ready for the challenge of the hike you are about to take. It makes no sense, and could be dangerous, to take a couch potato on a long march without some pre-conditioning. Your best bet is to start with easy hikes of no more than 45 minutes on level terrain in cool weather. Then build up to more difficult walks as your dog’s stamina improves. Come to think of it, the same regimen applies to you.

Let’s conclude this discussion with a word about control. When you are out on the trail, it would be an understatement to say your dog’s senses will be actively engaged. He or she is going to be extremely excited. All it takes is a squirrel dashing across the trail to instantly send your dog into overdrive. All dogs have an instinctive need to chase fleeing animals. Even a leaf blowing away from your dog or a small rock sent tumbling down a hill may trigger the chase instinct. Before you know it, your dog will be off towards the next county in pursuit of a rabbit. The solution? Keep your dog on a leash.

There are dogs with great recall–they come back instantly when called. Even dogs with perfect recall do not know the difference between a clump of dandelions and a mass of poison ivy. Those dogs do not know how to distinguish a lazy stream from one with swift currents. Those dogs do not know a skunk can foul your whole day. Those dogs do not know it is not okay to bark at other hikers coming down the trail from the opposite direction. Please, unless you can quickly recall your dog, keep your small dog on a leash while on the trail, or be prepared to do some off-trail running to capture your retreating dog. Or, as in my case, pack in dog shampoo, water and a towel to clean the stinky road apples off your dog’s fur.

Hiking with your small dog can be an absolute joy if you prepare well and keep your dog under control while on the trail. All you need do is find a trail that matches both you and your small dog’s capabilities. I have a great place for you to start your research. There is a series of books called Best Hikes with Dogs. Written by hiking experts, each covers a specific region of the United States. For example, the one I use describe the trails of Georgia and South Carolina. In addition to helping you prepare for your hike with your dog with important tips, packing lists and safety guidance, each book describes all available trails in your area in intimate detail: driving and parking directions; trail entry and exit points; camping areas; distances; sights to see; trail conditions; levels of difficulty for you and your dog, trail section by section; and, special considerations for your dog, trail by trail. Retailing for about $12 dollars at Amazon.com, Best Hikes with Dogs is, in my mind, a bargain and the perfect place to start when you are planning to take a walk in the woods with your small dog. One other point. Each of these books features the smiling face of a big dog on the cover. You can tape a photo of your Miniature Poodle over the cover because these books are for lovers of small dogs too. Happy hiking.

Note: There are several other books for states/regions not shown below. If you do not see your location in the list below, click on any of the links and then modify your search in Amazon. When you use any of the links below to buy a book from Amazon.com, I receive a small commission that helps me pay for the operation of this website.
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