BACKPACKING
Backpacking is an enjoyable activity for both you and your dog. All you need is a good quality canine backpack, a healthy, fit and willing dog (& owner), and a suitable trail.
ANKC WORKING PACK DOG TITLES
There are several hikes organised each year as qualifying events for
the ANKC Working Pack Dog and Working Novice Pack Dog titles. There
are however eligibility criteria and some breed restrictions - full
details can be found in the ANKC Sled Sports rules which are
available on the Dogs Australia website:
www.dogsaustralia.org.au/media/9682/19-sled-sports_2020.pdf
The hike events on offer vary in length and difficulty from the 16 km 1-day hikes and the 65 km hikes that take place over 3 days which require dogs and hikers carrying all equipment needed for self-sufficiency.
To qualify for the Working Pack Dog title, dogs be
medium to large breeds (with the exclusion of brachycephalic breeds)
and must
carry 30% of their body weight over four 16 km hikes. For the
Working Novice Pack Dog title, the weight requirement is 15% of the
dog's body weight over four 16 km hikes, so is a good option for
starting out.
The only reduction of the dog's pack weight permissable over the duration of the hike is what your dog consumes.
TRAINING
Hiking a distance of 16 km with your dog carrying weight should never be attempted with dogs that are unfit, untrained or not in excellent health, and dogs must be a minimum of 18 months old.
Training should begin with walking you dog with a lightly loaded pack to get him used to the feel of it, and to ensure that the pack is fitted correctly and is comfortable for the dog. It is recommended that dogs are at least 12 months old before you start training them to carry weight.
Once the dog is used to wearing the pack, gradually increase the weight in the pack and the distance of your walks. By building up the weight in this way, any problems with your dog or the backpack should become apparent before you find yourself miles from anywhere participating in a backpacking event.
THE BACKPACK
The
most common mistake we see with the backpacks is that they are too
big for the dog, or the saddle bags are hanging too low and
interfering with the movement of the front legs.
Make sure you choose a backpack of the right size and style for your dog, and the saddle bags must always be completely filled so they sit out from the dog's body.
The weight carried by the dogs can be made up of dense materials such as water and damp sand in order for the required weight to fit into the pack. Choose a pack that is just big enough to fit the weight your dog will be required to carry.
The narrower breeds of dog should have a backpack that has a fairly narrow centre section so that the saddle bags don't hang too low, and the wider built breeds can have a wider centre section.
If the saddle bags are too big they may rub around the legs and elbows of the dog and the saddle should not extend beyond the upper section of the back.
It is also important that you know how to adjust the pack so that it is fitted correctly and is most comfortable for the dog. The backpack should sit over the shoulders, so that the weight is transferred down to the ground through the front legs and feet.
THE PACK SHOULD NEVER SIT ON THE DOGS LOWER BACK (over the loin). The lower back is the weakest area of the dog’s spine as there is no support from the rib cage or pelvis, and this area should never bear any weight. If you are not sure that your dogs pack is fitted correctly, please check with someone with experience. A badly fitted pack will be uncomfortable for the dog and may rub or cause injury.
It is important that the weight is distributed in the saddle bags evenly on each side and so that it does not shift while the dog is walking. If the weights can shift in the pack it will result in redistribution of the weight to the back, rather than where it should be on the shoulders, which as previously mentioned may result in injury to the dog.
The pack should be adjusted so that it remains centred along the topline of the dog and cannot slip from side to side. If your dog is negotiating obstacles on a walk (such as climbing over a large log), assist your dog by taking the weight of the pack. In difficult situations remove the dog’s pack and put it back on after the obstacle has been safely negotiated to prevent injury to the dog.
SOUNDNESS & HEALTH
Dogs need to be in good health before they participate in a backpacking excursion. Undetected health problems may be exacerbated by working activities such as weight-pulling, sledding and backpacking, so getting a vet check might be a good idea, particularly for older dogs. It is up to owners to be realistic about the condition of their dogs and how well they can be expected to cope with backpacking, and to be diligent in assessing their dog’s performance whilst out on the trail.
Do not attempt the backpacking events with a dog that has not been well or showing any sign of lameness, no title is worth jeopardising the health of your dog. This may sound obvious yet unfortunately it does happen.
Some of the hikes are in hilly terrain and can be physically demanding, and to comply with working dog title requirements the walks are conducted in areas where vehicular access is often not possible. If your dog develops a serious problem out on the trail, it may be several hours before the dog can get veterinary assistance.
THE HIKE
Backpacking events are always conducted in a group, so no hikers are permitted to go off on their own, even if they and their dog walk faster than the rest of the group. The organisers are required to provide each walker with a trail map and compass so that they can find their way should they get separated from the group for any reason.
All backpackers must carry a basic first aid kit, and sufficient water to last your dog and yourself for the entire walk. Never rely on water being available on the trail as it may not be suitable for drinking or may not be accessible.
There
are several rest stops along the trail, usually two shorter breaks
and a longer lunch stop. These are good opportunities to check
and hydrate your dog, and adjust the backpack if necessary. If
the conditions are warmer, there may be additional short breaks to
hydrate yourself and your dog.
Backpacking events are cancelled if the forecast temperature for the day of the hike is over 25oC, and may also be called off if the temperature reaches this limit while the hike is in progress.
You know your dog best, and it is up to you to watch for signs of stress or discomfort and take appropriate action before the problem becomes serious. This may mean discarding the weight from the pack and/or cutting short the distance that you hike, but not receiving a pass for a hike is a much better option than risking the wellbeing of your dog.
As with all working activities, it is up to you to know your dog and not push the dog beyond what is comfortable and achievable, and to take appropriate action before a minor problem becomes a major one. If you push your dog, he won’t enjoy these outings and he may also sustain injuries.
For more information about hiking with your dog please contact the Backpacking Coordinator. Details of hikes conducted by the AMCV can be found in the Malamute Mail newsletter, Facebook or on the Events page of this website.
The ANKC Sled Sports Rules, which includes rules for backpacking, sledding and weight pulling, can be downloaded from the Dogs Australia website: www.dogsaustralia.org.au/media/9682/19-sled-sports_2020.pdf