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What's the Best Climber's Dog ?

Original Post
Kati T. · · Western Oregon · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 0

My husband and I want to get a dog to bring along on our adventurous trips to the crag -- which involve a lot of bushwhacking, and wilderness hiking. We want a crag dog that is tough enough to withstand the approach and loyal enough to guard our gear as we climb. Said crag dog should also be savvy enough to ward off (or warn us of) any beasts of nature that may pose a danger to his/her owners. Pictures encouraged.

Rick Blair · · Denver · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 266

Great Pyrenees are bred to do this work but honestly, leave the dog at home.

Jeffrey Arthur · · Westminster, CO · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 290

Oh man I know where this thread is going, but here's the best crag dog ever! She's a Catahoula leopard dog and is super agile, friendly, but I got watch her around the sandwiches!

Madori

Jonathan D. · · Portland, OR · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 40

What are those dogs that like Parkour? Those dogs are soooooo rad, because parkour is soooooo rad.

mattm · · TX · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 1,885
Rick Blair wrote:Great Pyrenees are bred to do this work but honestly, leave the dog at home.
+1
Monomaniac · · Morrison, CO · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 17,295

His name is Chaxi and it looks like he's a black lab or something similar:

dpmclimbing.com/articles/vi…

J. Broussard · · CordryCorner · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 50

Chows are terrible dogs but great about protecting your shit while you're up and away. In lieu of protecting you, they'll settle for protecting your pack. I have mutt that apparently has some chow in him. His aggressive nature is annoying accept when it comes to squirrels and people getting too close to my shit!

For the most part he stays at home. But on those remote trips where the only folks you'll run into are sketch balls dodging the crowds for all of the wrong reasons, he really becomes handy.

Dustin B · · Steamboat · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 1,275

Get a rescue dog. There's so many great dogs out there that are mix breed and need a home and are just as capable as any pure breed dog.

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Fred's a border collie mix who I adopted when he was 1. He can go for days, Isn't scared of any wild animals (I've seen him herd massive pigs with mean streaks) and he's a great climber. I once had to order him down off the rock when he showed up at the P2 belay on a moderate slab route.

Bryan Gall · · New Castle, CO · Joined Sep 2002 · Points: 260

My labs have been great. They're loyal, can carry a pack, are always friendly, and keep away the varmits. They're great pack animals. I've had them carry a fifth of liquor for mountaineering trips. They can handle back country skiing with ease. They also deal with being ridden like horses by my two and three year old daughters. Ignore the haters; plenty of crags are great with dogs. I'd rather have my dogs than most other people.

ZachS00 · · Denver, CO · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 15

none.

Tom Fralich · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 0
ZachS00 wrote:none.
Agreed. The best dog for climbers is NO DOG.

Everyone I know who climbs and has gotten a dog says that they climb less as a result. Firstly, dogs aren't allowed in certain areas. Secondly, it's kind of cruel to let your dog sitting at the base of a route while you climb for 10 hours. Most people with dogs realize this and focus more on single-pitch cragging.

If you get a dog, it should be because having a dog is more important than climbing. If climbing is still your first priority, forget it.
Roots · · Wherever I am · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 20

www.indiandogs.com

Chris Duca · · Dixfield, ME · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 2,330

The kind that stays home.

Mark Roth · · Boulder · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 14,062
Kati T. wrote:My husband and I want to get a dog to bring along on our adventurous trips to the crag -- which involve a lot of bushwhacking, and wilderness hiking. We want a crag dog that is tough enough to withstand the approach and loyal enough to guard our gear as we climb. Said crag dog should also be savvy enough to ward off (or warn us of) any beasts of nature that may pose a danger to his/her owners. Pictures encouraged.
NO DOG is way better. And I AM a dog person... I would do anything for my dog, but it really puts a strain on my "adventures".

A dog that will "guard your gear" will be threatening to others and wear out your welcome pretty quick.

I leave my dog home if I know there will be "bushwhacking" since he always gets hurt. Snake bites or cactus thorns...

And if there are animals that pose a threat to you, the dog will probably be eaten. My dog has been half eaten by coyotes.

It is illegal to leave your dog unattended almost everywhere, and dogs are not allowed in lots of wilderness areas and national parks.

And don't even get me started with flying with a dog. It costs more than a human ticket and is a pain in the ass...

Basically, if you want to travel or actually get any climbing done, a dog is a bad idea.

If this is more the idea you had for this thread, GO here...
Best Dog Photo ?
Andrew Vojslavek · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 55

I love dogs, and you should get one. They can add so much to your family. However, you should leave the pup at home.

To me dogs at the crag, is the same thing as playing music at the crag. Even though you or I may by some odd chance enjoy the selection, it simply does not belong out at the rocks.

Congrats on the pup!

Cindy · · Lafayette, CO · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 20

The smart abandoned stray that finds you during your adventures. He went everywhere with ease, was nicknamed Buddha dog, doubt he would have "guarded" anything but he kept the critters out of my lunch at the crag, kept me warm on long solo adventures, and understood that some outings he was better off staying home with a good friend and a bone to chew.

Just keep getting out there, you'll find each other.

BirminghamBen · · Birmingham, AL · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 1,620
Chris Duca wrote:The kind that stays home.
Yep.
Ben Walburn · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 680

There are very few cases where a dog is just a good dog. It's all what effort you put into it. Dogs are a pain in the ass at the crag, I know I take mine regularly.

fossana · · leeds, ut · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 13,318
ZachS00 wrote:none.
+1

They are far too limiting for climbing, plus I have plenty of friends that are happy to let me borrow their dog for the day if I want a temporary 4-legged trail companion.
Colonel Mustard · · Sacramento, CA · Joined Sep 2005 · Points: 1,241

The one having the most fun.

Evan1984 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 30

No dog is best, but I wouldn't trade my rescue terrier mixes for the world.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
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