What's the Best Climber's Dog ?

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.

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

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!

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

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

+1

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

dpmclimbing.com/articles/vi…

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.

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.

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.

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.

none.

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.

www.indiandogs.com

The kind that stays home.

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 ?

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!

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.

Chris Duca wrote:The kind that stays home.

Yep.

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.

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.

The one having the most fun.

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