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Can my dog safely hike with me? Hello! I have a 4 year old Maltese-Yorkshire mix. He's gotta have something else in him too, because he's about 17 pounds. He's fully grown and has a lot of energy, and sometimes I think regular walks just aren't enough for him! I live in Colorado now, and I'd love to start taking him hiking with me. Not anything really intense (I'm out of shape too!), but something different to keep me company and switch up his daily exercise routine. My question is, how far can my dog safely hike? If I build up his endurance, what's the furthest (in miles) dogs of his size can comfortably walk? Any insight would be appreciated! I'd hate to take him on a hike and have to carry him down the mountain. That's just embarrassing for him. :P |
My first yorkie, Charlie, was 15+ pounds. He was solid and healthy. He would jog with my husband and me. He even helped us train for a half marathon. The farthest we ever went with him was 6 miles. However, I have since heard of many dogs having heat strokes because they can't sweat. So if he were still here, I would be more considerate of this. If your vet says he is in good enough shape for it, I would do it. Charlie loved our long runs because we would go to different places. We would say, "Want to run?" And he would run to the door and wait for his leash. There was always something new for him to investigate and save us from. One time he even tried to take on a cow. Every time the cow would stomp at him, he would run behind my legs. Oh how I appreciated his bravery. |
Good to know that bigger yorkies are common too! I thought my dog might have just been some kind of yorkie-maltese mutt because he's not 9 pounds. :P But that's awesome to know. Six miles is a pretty decent hike, so that'd be just fine! I think I'll still talk to my vet about it and see what she recommends, but I'm definitely interested. :) Thanks! Anyone else have another number, or does 6 miles seem about accurate? |
I don't have a number of miles per say, but Razzle can comfortably hike all day with us. We usually plan a lunch break by water so the dogs can have a mid day swim. It takes about 3wks to build up the stamina, but it will also depend on the hike difficulty. We usually do trails that are about a moderate level. Razzle is only 6.5 lbs. Carry water and a first aid kit. Check paws on your breaks. First aid kit I always have vet wrap instant cold pack, Benadryl, and polysporim. Watch out for poison oak and or poison ivy. A walking stick is a good idea to carry with you as well. |
Wow! That's great! :) I'm so excited to learn that these dogs have more endurance than I initially thought. :D |
Oh I forgot to mention, I have leashes that are adjustable and you can put around your waist so that you have two hands free! |
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Here is a link for you I bought mine ages ago from a small Canadian vendor called smoochy poochy |
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Absolutely! Jackson is 17lbs and can go all day. He's in better shape than me though LOL... We've never done anything extremely strenuous but he's climbed up steep rocks by himself easily, hills, etc, the farthest we've walked all at once was 7 miles, but I think he could've gone longer.. this was in the winter though, so no hot temps. He doesn't do as well in the heat. The most we do is usually 2-3 miles or so with lots of water breaks but if it's very humid we just don't do walks. Thankfully my dad has a pool so he swims all summer. But yes most any dogs are capable of hiking so long as they are healthy. PS so jealous of you living in CO! I love it there, my uncle lives there, and I would love to bring Jax one day. |
Our normal trip is maybe just under two miles, but, that's along side of a Bayou. My guys love to catch Frogs, Snakes and an occasional Bird, so, numerous very high speed sprints occur, which is a lot more tiring on them than just a straight Jog. Should I decide to just Jog, I usually only take My Males, that being about 4 miles or so. |
i take buddy running with me and i tire out before him LOL these dogs are hardier than you would think |
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Any other time, he's the sweetest Dog you ever petted (for me anyway) :rolleyes: Anyone else is a totally different story :eek: |
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The cute cuddly part is just a bonus. |
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For instance, I've seen (with my Dogs personally) a considerable increase in their running/sprinting speed. Most Dogs are reasonably fast, but until they have some incentive to really put out, they never really can "learn" to run faster. I witness this as begin letting one start Hunting with the Pack, and after a few misses of a prey, they start getting with it quickly ;) |
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