[pct-l] Dog Health Incidents and Prevention

[Michael Belanger]

In regards to breed, you have to consider every aspect of your dog, while a husky makes a good sled dog, they are bred for snowy conditions. Long-hair shepherds may not be the best breed for the desert or northern CA sections in July. Large dogs eat more = more weight YOU are carrying, because generally, a dog won't want to carry a dog pack for long. Small dogs are just about useless at endurance activities (and basically everything else, but hey, who's judging?)

I would think an ideal bred would be something similar to a medium-sized short-hair Belgian Shepherd with a really lightly-colored coat. I've had the pleasure of knowing a mut-mix Belgian shepherd once and, besides being so graceful and beautiful to watch full-stride, she could tough out some pretty good miles with ample energy to boot. Not to say I know how she could have handled 2600 miles, but I'd like to think that if there was a dog that could, it was her.

Besides breed, I think your bond is key. You need to know your pups limits and know the signs to look for, as well as their temperaments. Previous experience both on- and off-trail is a must. And have a back up plan/s for when they've had too much.

Also, I know the Sounds of the Trail had a podcast on long-distance hiking with dogs, including interviews with people and their pals (one mut on the AT and one German shepherd on the PCT, if memory serves me correctly). Might be worth-while to check that out. http://www.soundsofthetrail.com/?page_id=68 (Episode 19)

GL to you and yours!

Regards,
Mike