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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Robert:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I wrote this down and thought I would post
it to the PCT-L as I probably should have done when you first asked the
question about taking your larger dog on a long hike. I know people get really
worked up about dogs but I also know there are lots of people with dogs who like
to take them and do hike successfully and caringly with them. Since the PCT is
a forum for sharing info I hope the dog disparagers will just hit the delete button
now, and those who are seeking info will take anything that’s helpful and
perhaps share something in return.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>My husband, dog and I are long distance
section hikers. We hike two to three weeks at a time from 20-25 miles a day and
sometimes 30. We expect to complete the PCT next year and Mr. Cody (Buffalo
Bill Cody) has walked most of it with us. Having said that, I’m not sure
that I would take Mr. C. on a through hike.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Our dog is 4 years old now and has been
hiking since he was just under a year. Deems (another PCT-lister) has a small
dog and warned me to watch the feet, especially on a larger dog. Our dog, being
a border collie (75lbs) like yours, is tremendously active and athletic and
had/has no problem doing 25-30 mile days –under the right conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>So here are some comments from our
experience—I hope you will find some of it useful:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Heat:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Heat was a killer for him. Normally, he is
a camel—drinks very little even after great exertion but in the heat he
needed quite a lot of water (at least a cup an hour). Also, hot ground made his
feet swell and granite would just tear them up. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Snow and Cold<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>He does great in snow and rain—He
was born for it. On our last 300 mile stint in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Washington</st1:place></st1:State> this summer, he was running
circles round us when we pulled in for the night!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Foot care: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>After making some mistakes we have found
that it is essential to watch his paws and make sure to address any problems
immediately. We took him off the trail in <st1:place w:st="on">Northern Cal</st1:place>
the year before last because of paw issues (hot volcanic ground)—for a
long distance hike you need to be prepared for that. Having said that, our
methods mostly worked quite well for him. Each night, we put bag balm
(available at any pharmacy) or paw wax (available at pet stores, less messy but
gets incredibly hard in the cold) all over the pads of his feet every evening
without fail. This tends to soothe the feet after a long day on the trail and
toughen them up so by the end of a couple of weeks you might slow up the
application. Our dog likes his “spa massage” so much that we just
keep doing it. (He thinks he’s entitled to it at this point anyway). We
also give him an appropriate dose of baby aspirin—this for potential achy
bones at the end of the day. Although dogs tend to sprint if left to their own
devices, walking for hours on end without the usual dog naps is trying on them.
My vet and trainer recommended the aspirin and although I don’t know if
that specifically does anything, I can tell you my dog does very well. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Packs<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>He also carries his own pack with 3-6 days
food (up to 8-10% of his body weight and usually much less). I know people
disagree with this, but border collies are quite bright, and he sees us
carrying our food, and I think he sees this as his job. I would never overload
him but a small pack is just fine.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Shoes<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>In addition, after trying every dog shoe
on the market, we bought a pair of ruffwear shoes with vibram soles which we
used this summer in the northern <st1:State w:st="on">Oregon</st1:State> and <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Washington</st1:State></st1:place> and they did
the trick. Most dogs are not keen on shoes and ours is no exception. One thing
to keep in mind is that you should not keep them on the feet for too long—they
will cause blisters and other problems—doggy feet swell too. We would put
the shoes on the paws when crossing fields of scree or other miserable rocks or
hot surfaces and then remove them for the more friendly patches. Our dog got so
he would actually get through such a rocky patch then stop short to tell us to
remove them! It was quite amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Food<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Initially we start him off on almost 50%
more food than he has at home. After 2 weeks, as with humans he needs more.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Benefits<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>This list has gone to great lengths to
warn of all the problems with dogs on the trail, so I won’t go into that
now. The problems are real and should not be dismissed. Having said that, if
your dog is one of those who does well on the trail (and you probably won’t
know for sure until you try), then you will not find a happier, better
companion anywhere. And they love it, all of it—the smells, the walking,
the companionship of the pack, the guarding and just being with you. In
addition, they are great animal detractors. We have had many encounters with
bears in the past but none with the dog. My theory is that bears can find
easier pickings elsewhere and since they don’t like dogs, they just leave
you alone. Many a time I have woken in the night to hear Mr. C. make a low
rumble in his throat and that’s about it. I don’t know who he’s
warning but it seems to do the trick.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>So hike your dog’s hike and enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Jo<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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