Winter camping with four-legged friends

[northwoodsmike]

Hello friends,

I'm sure I can get some helpful advice from this crowd- I am an avid dog lover who has been single, in the canine-relationship sense, for too long. However, I am planning to bring a new dog into my life, which I'm thrilled about.

I've put a lot of thought into what kind of dog I will get, and for many reasons (foremost among them being temperament, intelligence, trainability, water-retrieving instinct, and athleticism) I am almost certain I am going to get a Labrador Retriever.

HOWEVER: There's one sticking point- while I know my Lab will grow to be a great 3-season backpacking, canoeing, running, yada-yada companion, I very much want to have a dog that can join my 2-legged friends and me on our winter camping trips.

I have gone so far as to consider getting a snow dog instead (an AK/Siberian husky or AK malamute) so that I can feel more comfortable taking my dog out for 1-2 weeks or even longer in the boreal winter, without fearing as much for his welfare. However, the tradeoffs in other important areas I think are too great, the least of which is not that I want a dog who can still be very active all summer long.

I know there are lots of y'all out there who take your dogs (not just Labs, of course) with you into the winter woods. What special considerations do you have? How do/do you adjust things like diet? The dog would, of course, be welcome in the hot tent with us at night so he has refuge from the cold as well as from his canine cousins who trump him in the trophic pecking order.

I've scoured Internet Labrador forums and a handful of books for advice on Labs in cold weather, but everything seems to say, basically, don't take your dog for too long a walk when it's really cold. Not very helpful. It makes me realize what a rare breed we winter walkers are...

It seems hard to find canine gear such as cold-weather jackets and booties that are actually made for working dogs, not for Fluffy the lapdog whose owner wants her to look cute when they walk down to the mailbox each afternoon. I'm also interested in getting my future sidekick involved in skijoring, as well as pulling some (very reasonable) amount of weight over the lakes, as I understand almost any working dog has a pulling instinct when in harness.


Bottom line: What are the limitations and special considerations when taking an active, mature, fit dog who is NOT a husky/malamute/other snow dog winter camping? I will, of course, speak also with Lab breeders and veterinarians as I get closer to adopting a pup. But so few folks have the sort of experience and background as people in this forum, so I can use all the help I can get.

Thanks a lot in advance- I'm really excited to hear back!
peace, (woof),
-mike

[wilderness gal]

Hi Mike,

In my opinion a Lab should be a fine companion for winter camping.  Conditioning will be the key, making sure he gets used to the cold gradually.  Start with short trips and graduate to longer ones with loads of exposure to the cold in between with walks and such.  His coat should get thicker to accommodate the conditions.  I think a doggie coat and boots are necessary.  If you can't find what you want have it made, that way you can choose materials like thicker fleece or perhaps wool if needed and get a perfect fit. Boots are very important.  If you get an injured paw it is a lot easier to treat and to keep it bandaged in a boot than without, try Neopaws.  I think you may have to consider sharing your tent with your four legged companion though.  I would not want to leave any dog unless a well conditioned Husky out all night with no shelter, even then it would hurt my feelings too much to do so.  Don't forget to pack your doggie medical kit.  Talk to your vet to find out what is safe for your dog and what dosage to use.  Many medications that are safe for us are toxic to animals.  On a long trip I would pack pain medication, topical antibiotic ointment, meds for diarrhea, gauze to bandage an injury or to make a muzzle out of, injured dogs have been known to bite even their owners when in pain.  I may also throw something in for vomiting.  Dogs being dogs will eat almost anything and sometimes that doesn't agree with them.  A dehydrated dog from vomiting and diarrhea will be a sick dog and you won't want that, especially a good sized Lab, a heavy hike out!  Hope some of this makes sense and helps a bit.  I think your decision to pick a lab would be just fine as long as you are both prepared for your journeys.

Jacqueline

[dks]

I've camped with my Golden Retriever a couple of times and I think a lab should have no problems at all. Definitely bring boots for the dogs. My last trip the temps were mild (0 degrees C) so they weren't necessary. Last year the temps were minus 33 and I didn't have boots for her. Her paws kept getting snow built up in them, which is why I bought the Neopaws for her this year. On a side note, you have to have a supplemental way of keeping the straps on them since the factory straps don't hold very well,  I made a "coat" for her from an old sweatshirt that I will bring along in the future. I bring  a foam pad and an old sleeping bag for her to sleep on. In addition, she has gone on a couple of ice fishing days with me and the cold doesn't seem to be an issue. Assuming your dog goes for long walks throughout the year I would say there would be no major issues for taking it winter camping (especially since you hot tent). Oh yes, bring extra food. Your dog will love winter camping!

[jaunty]

My main concern might be wolves.  This came up near the end of the following thread: 


http://wintertrekking.com/index.php?topic=813.0

[timberdogz]

As a dog sledder, we're always traveling with our dogs in the wilderness. You can get great fleece lined winter jackets for your dog at about any dog sled outfitter, try looking on www.sleddogcentral.com under equipment and there is a listing of suppliers. You'll also be able to find booties there at a reasonable cost. About the jackets, most dogs, Labs included may not need the jacket during the day when your moving around...in fact it may overheat them. Jackets are best for extremely low day temps, or for when the dog is more stationary at night.
The best way to keep your dog warm is through extra food. A Lab has a fairly high metabolism and if you can keep that metabolism fueled...the dog will be a lot more comfortable. For example, our huskies can eat up to twice as much when we are on expedition, compared to the average day in the kennel. We also feed our dogs a high quality, high calorie food.
About wolves...we travel with a minimum of six dogs and most wolves want no part of that in the middle of the winter! Most wildlife attacks on dogs (and some on people!) occur when the dog is running loose, out of sight of the owner. Often the dog startles a bear, wolf, etc and comes running back to it's master for help! Basically I would follow a couple rules...don't take a dog into the wilderness when it's in heat, your just asking for a four legged visitor!....if your dogs off leash, it better have a perfect recall so you can keep it out of trouble..and do a short trip first to see how your dog reacts, then make adjustments!   Good Luck!

[wilderness gal]

Hi,

Extra food is a really excellent point but if you are worried about weight just supplement with peanut butter or olive oil mixed with your regular food.  You also have the option of getting a higher calorie dog food but you should introduce this slowly before your trip.  Mix it half and half with the dog's regular food for at least a week before the trip and gradually increase the amount of the higher calorie until it is the only ration.  Do the same with any supplements, give them gradually before your trip.  Some dogs have sensitive digestive systems and on a long trip you wouldn't want any serious disruptions!

Jacqueline

[low-1]

I've had my chocolate/black lab/newfoundlander mix out camping with me in temps cold enough to freeze whisky solid (should have brought it into the tent), below -35 anyway.  When we weren't moving around, he was curled up by the fire on a big pillow I brought for him.  And yeah, at night he was in the tent with me.

Just adopted a GSD/Mastiff cross from the local pound, much more along the lines of a german shepherd than a mastiff, nice thick double coat.  He's 3 months now, he'll definitely be coming with me next winter.  I'm looking into training him as a SAR dog.

[Yukon Bushman]

Simple solution get a lab/husky mix- they are a pretty common mix up here.And a great dog and mix of both traits.  tust me you could not go wrong. With  a husky when you throw a ball they say - you threw you get it....
And if you are looking at Winter/Nordic breeds get an Alaskan Husky  instead of Siberian or Malemute. You will be much happier.
Another  great cross is Alaskan Husky/Border Collie. 
For all around great companions, working dog, disposition, health issues, - crosses are just awesome.
PM if you want I have 1000's of km of dog sled history

[Pawistik]

My old girl, a black lab collie cross from the pound, is getting up there in years and occasionally I think ahead to her successor. My wife and I are pretty much diametrically opposed on this - she's thinking non-shedding is the most important trait and I am thinking "good canoe dog that can pull a sled". Perhaps I need a Alaskan Husky x Lab x Portuguese Water Dog cross.