Forum: outdoors.stackexchange.com
Tags: <backpacking><running><dogs>
Title: Dog Breeds for Backpacking and Trail Running
Question: Which dog breeds are best for backpacking?  I know malamutes do well in the cold and on mountains, but what if I'm backpacking in the summer?   Which dog breeds are good for daily trail runs?   I would love a dog that would wake up with me every day and go on a 3 to 7-mile trail run. Somehow, I can't see a Corgi keeping up.

Answers:
sents: text: I'd need to know a bit more about your winter hiking conditions and duration.
text: If you're erring on the side of active, I'd suggest a Labrador.
text: If you're doing colder and shorter, something like a Bernesse Mountain Dog would do amazing.
text: I love running with my Labrador since she can handle heat decently
text: (I don't run with her when it's very hot), she can handle cold better than I can (has had her whiskers and chest get ice covered), and can handle decent distances in comfort (6-10 miles consistently to age 9).
text: My only real tips for running with any dogs - be considerate of the heat and make sure you have some good water sources for them.
text: Update (after 2 years):
text: Our Labrador, now 12, has some hip issues
text: so she's limited to running an easy 2 miles.
text: I never considered Western medicines in the past but acupuncture seems to work wonders for her.
text: We also adopted another dog which we believe is a Lab / Catahoula mix and, holy crap, can that dog run.
text: I have never heard of Catahoula's before
text: but she has no problems keeping up on 15-mile mountain bike rides.
text: My trail runs don't tire her out unless I'm doing 10+ miles, which means she's probably doing 2x that.
text: I'm glad to see them on the list but wouldn't have put them under long slow runs!
text: As far as running, this article on Runners World should answer; Ref: The Best Types of Dogs for Runners
answer_details: author: outdoors.stackexchange.com/users/4135/mattsolar
score: 14
sents: text: Australian cattle dog or other types of working dogs.
text: Mine loves backpacking.
text: Cattle dogs have very high energy levels and are bred to travel long distances.
text: Excellent for trail running and hiking long distances.
text: They can carry their own food/water and will do so without whining or stopping (working mentality).
text: They have a very active mind and are very alert, good as a watchdog but have very sweet temperaments.
text: They require very little in terms of grooming.
text: They have a short to medium-length double coat which is naturally rain-resistant but also can be dried quickly.
text: They are medium-sized, in case you need to carry it if injured.
text: Very trainable if you're looking on taking it out off-leash.
text: Also to note, if you're going to get a long-haired dog for backpacking in the summer, be sure to have its hair cut very short.
text: It's a myth that hair keeps dogs cool--
text: they get really hot really fast.
text: I also have a long-haired Australian Shepard that goes summer camping in Texas weather with its summer haircut.
answer_details: author: outdoors.stackexchange.com/users/3066/Chris Mendez
score: 11
sents: text: Somehow, I can't see a Corgi keeping up.
text: I have a 20-pound terrier mutt.
text: She does great with me trail running at distances of 6-7 miles.
text: After we get home, she runs around the back yard in circles like a rocket.
text: Dogs are just much more efficient runners than humans, especially in cool weather.
text: As far as I can tell, humans only seem to be at all competitive with dogs at distances more like 12 miles.
text: (I haven't taken my dog that far, but have seen my running buddy's larger dogs act tired at that distance.)
text: There is a theory that humans evolved for a hunting niche on the plains of Africa, in which we were specially adapted to pursuing prey for long distances in hot weather, but we're talking about really long distances.
text: For hiking, the problem I've found isn't really my dog's ability to do it physically, it's that she tends to injure her feet.
text: You can get various kinds of booties.
text: It's hard to find ones that fit correctly and that stay on.
text: Keep in mind that if your big dog hurts a foot in the backcountry, you're going to have big problems getting him out.
text: Mine I could carry out if I had to.
answer_details: author: outdoors.stackexchange.com/users/2169/Ben Crowell
score: 9
sents: text: The wolf, the wild ancestor of the dog, has extreme running endurance.
text: According to this article , many wolfs travel more than 50 miles daily searching for food.
text: I've read somewhere, that wolfs can chase moose for a few days, but I can't find that now.
text: Wolf is very similar to us in that domain, human hunters can also run for days.
text: This can be another reason that two species have formed so special relationship so early.
text: Looking for great dog runners, look on dogs that are the most similar to their ancestors, such as the German Shepherd (in my country, this race is called Wolfie).
text: If you choose Husky, you can even count for sleight transport if you are tired.
text: Probably it would be you who would have problems to cope with the distance.
answer_details: author: outdoors.stackexchange.com/users/557/Danubian Sailor
score: 5
sents: text: A 3 to 7-mile trail run every day is a bit for most dogs.
text: It wears down their cartilage over time.
text: I wore out a couple of labs doing fewer miles than that.
text: At age 8 they had joint problems.
text: I just stay with 1 mile walk a day now.
text: I would consider a dalmatian coach dog.
text: It is bred for running with the coach.
text: They are also bred to accompany, protect, and warn.
answer_details: author: outdoors.stackexchange.com/users/6728/paparazzo
score: 1

Summary of the answers:
Wolf-like dogs, such as German shepherds or huskies. Australian cattle dogs, Bernese Mountain dogs, Dalmatians and Labradors are also suggested.
Wolves run well, working dogs are a good option and labradors handle heat well.