Bernese Mountain Dog on a thru-hike

[sasquatch2014]

There is this video on Youtube featuring a thru-hiker and his dog, Team Doggiebag if I'm recalling correctly ... The dog's name is Aldo, and he's a really great dog. Probably just as great as your dog is. Anyway, in this one video segment, it shows the hiker high atop this very rocky vista, both man and dog in high spirits, then, within ten minutes of the film segment being shot, Aldo finds a rattler...

The following series of video entries document the ordeal in rather dramatic fashion, I recall the palpable feeling of uncertainty and concern that had creped into this normally stoic traveler's voice as the team double-timed it back down the mountain into town to find poor Aldo some medical attention (dog's head was swelling to the size of a casaba melon). I'm sure at some point, the hiker found himself wondering if hiking with his loyal companion was worth it.

I won't spoil the ending of the story, I'm sure someone will offer the links to the videos in question, but my point is, would you want to chance your dog being bitten on the trail? In my neck of the woods, anti-venom is spendy, $1,200 per treatment. Food for thought...

Personally, I'm torn about hiking sections of the AT with my Boxer. Part of me says this is exactly what a dog is for and then, there is this other side that thinks the trail is difficult enough without having to worry about your dog. As you know, hiking with an animal impedes your options. Plus, as you mentioned in your post, the majority of AT hikers are not exactly what I would call, "Pro-hiker Dog..."

I have hiked with Doggie Bag a number of times and Aldo is a real champ. I do have to say that their experience has made me make some choices that as a section hike I have a bit more flexibility with. while there are snakes in many states some like NJ/PA are a bit thicker and better known for them and so I will tend to hike these states during times when the snakes are not real active. There is always the risk that Hank will meet a pit viper when we are making one of our many trips around here in the summer but if I can reduce risk why not.

I've rarely encountered Berners *anywhere*, let alone hiking! Beautiful, wonderful dogs.

I assume as long as your Berner's healthy in heart, eyes, hips, and elbows, then I'd wager she'd be ok. Know your dog's limits. With a dog on the trail, it isn't "Hike Your Own Hike," it becomes "Hike Your Dog's Hike." She might need a zero on a day you're feeling up. You might opt to shave her before the hike, so the fur grows back as the season progresses into autumn and winter during the SOBO.

And yes, most of the armchair hikers on this forum are anti-dog. Most people I have actually met on the trail are quite dog-friendly. I think a lot of the animosity is directed toward more inexperienced hikers and dog owners making rookie mistakes with their dogs. I personally love meeting dogs on the trail, but I just like critters (domestic, feral, or wild) in general.

Having had a Bernese mix and living where it could get triple digits we shaved in the late spring and he had a good coat going again by the fall. He loved it as it was so much cooler and easier on burrs as well.

[TexasEd]

If you are concerned, be on the lookout for Snake Avoidance Clinics. My dog training club is running one near Austin, TX on Aug 21st.

It teaches the dog to avoid snakes by sight, sound (rattlers) and smell. Live snakes that strike but cannot bite are used.

[TexasEd]

sorry wrong thread

[sasquatch2014]

If you are concerned, be on the lookout for Snake Avoidance Clinics. My dog training club is running one near Austin, TX on Aug 21st.

It teaches the dog to avoid snakes by sight, sound (rattlers) and smell. Live snakes that strike but cannot bite are used.

Some of the private hunting clubs around here have them but you have to be a member and I have other plans for that $50,000 when I earn it.

[TexasEd]

My club charges $45 and is open to anyone.

[randomroads]

No. They aren't allowed in Baxter State Park or the Smokys.

So what are you supposed to do when you hit these areas? Go back home? What if you can't afford to board your dog for 3-6 months?

[Rocket Jones]

So what are you supposed to do when you hit these areas? Go back home? What if you can't afford to board your dog for 3-6 months?

Then you go home.

[randomroads]

Thank you for being unhelpful, but I did finally find the information I was looking for. In fact, it was posted on this forum, back in 2005.

[ATsawyer]

I had a guy interested in overseeing a trail in Shenandoah, but he wanted to bring his dog along on the work trip. We started DOWN Upper Hannah Run trail on a typical 80+ degree summer day for a 4-mile out and back hike. The dog was OK with the downhill, but coming back up to Skyline Drive, he was having a hard time of it. The dog was not old and the owner had brought plenty of water. We nearly had to carry that dog the last 1/4 mile.

Suggest you do a shorter hike in hot weather to see how he does before setting off on a long trek.

[Dirty Nails]

Mtndoghiker,
I just returned from a 300mi, 5 week, A.T. trip in Va. I saw quite a few dogs along the way. I saw about 2 or 3 dogs that were happy and doing well after hiking 15+ miles per day. That's out of the dozens of dogs that I saw hiking. Unfortunately, the rest were worn and hurting.
The few doing well were smaller and lighter built, around 30 lbs or so. The larger dogs just can't disipate heat well, and lack the agility and endurance. It will also put quite a beating on the dogs joints. Even with healthy hips, it's mostly his shoulders that will take a pounding on the descents.
I know because I have a 60lb Akita that LOVES hiking. I take her every chance I get and she has several hundred miles under her collar. She is well trained, and the best hiking buddy I ever had. But I'm glad I didn't take her on this long trip, she would have been miserable! The longest she ever did was 1 week, and that was in cool weather. She would not have tolerated the heat.
I work dogs in competition obedience, schutzhund and other disciplines. The bigger dogs just get tired/worn quickly, even when in good shape, including mine.
Also remember you will not be able to take him/her into resturaunts, hostles, or even grocery stores. And I personally entrust my dog to basically NO ONE. Even if you think you will have a trustworthy buddy to watch him while you shop or try to get a shower, you can't be sure that person will make the whole trip. I've seen people tie the dog outside stores and eateries unattended, but not me! You can never be sure someone won't tease him, feed him something dangerous, or even steal him. And he can't go on the A/T in the Smokies or in Baxter St. Park. The poeple that thru hike are using kennel services that pick the dog up at one end of the restricted area, kennel the dog, then deliver him to you at the other end. For me, the only safe place for my dog is with me or at home.
No one loves to have their canine pal along more than I do. I feel that letting the dog lie around the house without enrichment is the greater evil than the risks of porcipines, skunks, snakes, poisons/garbage and foolish people. But before attempting such a feat, make sure your dog can do a trip of several weeks. Also consider getting the dog home if he can't do it. He can't just hop a plane or train. What will you do if he gets hurt or sick?
The most disturbing thing I saw was the many posters in stores and hostles pleading for help in finding lost dogs. I saw dozens of them. In fact, when I was descending Dragon's Tooth, another hiker told me she saw a distressed dog at the top obviously lost and scared (there was no one else up there). I was tempted to go back up and try to bring him down, but realized I couldn't because it was tough enough to get myself down and it started to pour a torrent!
It's wonderful to take the dog along, but I stick to shorter trips in the cooler seasons.
Whatever you decide, keep your dog safe and healthy. Good luck.

[Kelleelynn]

Here we go again. It's so dangerous out here we should just stay at home and watch nature shows.

Thanks for making me laugh!!!!

[1azarus]

did i miss it? seems like a sobo with a late start would be great for the pooch -- hike in cool to cold weather.

my daughter's boy friend has a bernese... whenever it's inside my house i absolutely know the perfect place for him is on the trail!

[yari]

A Well trained owner and a well mannered dog is always welcome. I have hiked several decades always with a dog never had any problems Alway use a leash. Have a great hike with your friend.

I am contemplating a hike of the AT in 2011. My gut instinct is to have my dog on a leash at all times because he is such a huge beast he is intimidating (100lb German Shepherd). But, I am concerned about areas in New England where I will have to climb. How do you do that with a dog on a leash? I could see either of us falling because of the leash.