Best kind of crag dog?

Andrew Smith wrote:

It is beyond obnoxious when owners bring their dogs to the crag, I have seen multiple instances where dogs have gotten into fights, bark incessantly, and more seriously, belayers almost being knocked over by dogs running around. Nothing worse than being 50 ft. up and seeing your belayer dodge a running dog. Naturally this a reflection on the terrible owner rather than the dog itself, but my vote would be no dogs. 

You're literally doing exactly what the OP asked people to refrain from doing. It would also appear you haven't read or even skimmed the 9,000 pages of this issue before posting here. 

In other news. I have a wolf/husky mix. He is extremely quiet. (I can count the amount of times I've heard him bark.) He can also scramble sketchy 5th class really well. He naps mostly while I climb. I try to avoid bringing him whenever possible, since it's just another thing to worry about when I could be focusing on climbing. But every few trips I have to bring him along. I try to avoid leaving him at the base of multipitch routes, but I have left him napping at the base of a 3 pitch route before. 

Ideally, get a dog that is quiet and won't have a problem with approaches. It's a bummer when you can't get to a crag because, "My dog can't make the approach."

Lena chita wrote:

Think of the dogs that make the best service dogs -- i.e. they have intelligence and good temperament: Labs or Retrievers, Poodles, German shepherd, etc. The list is long, but that's the basic idea. And then look for mutts/rescues that have a lot of those breeds in them.

But IMO the most important thing is how you socialize them.

I'm going to throw a caveat here.  Many of the Labs that end up being rescues will be TERRIBLE crag dogs.  Lots of rescue labs are "American Field" types that have been bred to have no off switch (because they've been bred for hunting, rather than being a family pet).  These guys make great Search and Rescue dogs, or tracking dogs because of their high drive, but are NOT the kind that is going to just chill at the crag.  I speak from personal experience, I own one of these (a rescue field Lab, (we're family #3 because the first two were totally unprepared for his level of energy and mischief)), and he is never allowed to come with me to the crag, he's just too busy and would be a danger to himself and others (instead he goes with my SO to work, where he is welcome and happy).

Meredith E. wrote:

I'm going to throw a caveat here.  Many of the Labs that end up being rescues will be TERRIBLE crag dogs.  Lots of rescue labs are "American Field" types that have been bred to have no off switch (because they've been bred for hunting, rather than being a family pet).  These guys make great Search and Rescue dogs, or tracking dogs because of their high drive, but are NOT the kind that is going to just chill at the crag.  I speak from personal experience, I own one of these (a rescue field Lab, (we're family #3 because the first two were totally unprepared for his level of energy and mischief)), and he is never allowed to come with me to the crag, he's just too busy and would be a danger to himself and others (instead he goes with my SO to work, where he is welcome and happy).

I'm with you there. I have a black lab, who is field stock and he is my best buddy but, at 9 years old, still way too high energy to take anywhere where he could bother people (like a crag). 

Key point, know your dog and don't put them in situations where they will be likely to behave badly...

Get what ever dog you want, as long as it's a rescue.  They're all the rage these days.  If you don't get a rescue you are supporting puppy-mills.  Expensive breeders are the exact same thing as puppy-mills, just with higher price tags.  It's kind of like street-hookers and "call girls", same thing at the end of the day...  If your dog is not a rescue, you're basically a racist.  Once you get your rescue...leave it at home, at the VERY least until it is well trained.  Crag dogs are one thing, but training your dog at the crag is a total choad move.

Roy Suggett wrote:

Rescues less than 40 lb.s, athletic, obedient, soft spoken, non aggressive (except for vermin trying to chew through your pack) and trained to wait long periods of time, and knows what "rock" and "rope" means when shouted.  Yes, this is realistic but takes the right dog and lots of training. 

Meet Shasta. This summed up her weekend at Shelf! She naps. She’s a mutt about 40lbs. Occasionally she’ll wake up and seek out a new napping spot. 

Mutts are amazing! 

Meredith E. wrote:

I'm going to throw a caveat here.  Many of the Labs that end up being rescues will be TERRIBLE crag dogs.  Lots of rescue labs are "American Field" types that have been bred to have no off switch (because they've been bred for hunting, rather than being a family pet).  These guys make great Search and Rescue dogs, or tracking dogs because of their high drive, but are NOT the kind that is going to just chill at the crag.  I speak from personal experience, I own one of these (a rescue field Lab, (we're family #3 because the first two were totally unprepared for his level of energy and mischief)), and he is never allowed to come with me to the crag, he's just too busy and would be a danger to himself and others (instead he goes with my SO to work, where he is welcome and happy).

Curious about this. Are you saying your lab was built as a bird dog (as in pheasant hunting) rather than a duck hunting retrieving dog? Because I always understood that the mellow lab disposition was the product of being asked to spend many hours sleeping in duck blinds quietly waiting to be called into action to retrieve ducks? Of course, it all could be BS and some dogs are just hyper and others aren't. 

s.price wrote:

A well trained one. If you can't put in the time required no dog is a good crag dog. I have had multiple breeds over the years and they have all been great. A dog will get away with what it is allowed to. I can take mine into any social situation with confidence because of the hours I have put in to insure predictable behavior.

Great crag dogs are a product of responsible caring and committed owners. I lean towards herding breeds. They want nothing more but to serve and are easy to train.

+100.

cragmantoo wrote:

Now all we need is Aleks babbling about eating dogs and bringing chickens to the crags....

climbing friend,

best kind of crag dog is dead crag dog! Then it cannot lick the butthole of another just before giving you "kiss." And you would be forced to attempt to fill lonely void in your life with something other than this animal. myah!

also do not play your music at the crag no one would want to hear it! You are getting off on my lawn!

Props to the OP for asking and showing investment in responsible dog ownership. And thank you in advance for following through.

Training tip: if your dog is energetic, make sure he or she gets a good run in before hitting the crag. It's not fair to bring an active dog up a short approach and expect it to chill for the day when it's used to getting quality exercise.

AndrewArroz wrote:

Curious about this. Are you saying your lab was built as a bird dog (as in pheasant hunting) rather than a duck hunting retrieving dog? Because I always understood that the mellow lab disposition was the product of being asked to spend many hours sleeping in duck blinds quietly waiting to be called into action to retrieve ducks? Of course, it all could be BS and some dogs are just hyper and others aren't. 

He was built as a bird dog, but both "American" and "English" labs can be good hunters, the difference is mainly in temperament and body conformation.  American labs are being bred primarily to hunt and compete in field trials (both upland game and waterfowl), rather than as pets or service dogs, which has resulted in a line that is different in body conformation (they tend to be taller, and leaner, with less of an otter tail) and a really really high energy level and drive.  They can still be trained to wait for the retrieve, but overall they take a much more experienced trainer and handler, and they need constant excercise and stimulation.  Mine is 6 and most people still think he's 2 because he's still got that young drive.   This link has a good overview of the differences: https://www.labradortraininghq.com/labrador-breed-information/the-difference-between-american-and-english-labradors/

Aleks Zebastian wrote:

climbing friend,

best kind of crag dog is dead crag dog! Then it cannot lick the butthole of another just before giving you "kiss." And you would be forced to attempt to fill lonely void in your life with something other than this animal. myah!

also do not play your music at the crag no one would want to hear it! You are getting off on my lawn!

Climbing Friend,

good to see you back on the forums, you went quiet for a while. also im sorry that you feel this way and this has become your coping mechanism for not being able to love. i think you need a crag dog or hopefully you still have your chicken and you can learn to love it

Fritz N. wrote:

Props to the OP for asking and showing investment in responsible dog ownership. And thank you in advance for following through.

Training tip: if your dog is energetic, make sure he or she gets a good run in before hitting the crag. It's not fair to bring an active dog up a short approach and expect it to chill for the day when it's used to getting quality exercise.

Thanks Fritz,

Just trying to change things. its just sad that like so many other things, dogs are the face of the problem when the real problem is the owners.

Any dog as long as it is mellow, well behaved, and friendly.

My pup is great, as long as someone is paying attention to him.  I have brought him out a few times, and when I am climbing and he isn't distracted by someone else, he is whining for me.  I own the little guy and it is annoying for me, so it must be worse for other folks.  He is a Jack Russel mix, but I have known other Jack Russel mixes that are content to just hang out.

@Andrew Smith, what the others said, take it to the endless pro/anti dog threads on here.

OP, what others have said. 

Not breed specific, I don't think, but you can judge temperament. Obviously a mellow dog, that tops the list. 

I would add, have both genders there, and wear hats or helmets, if you are looking at a rescue. Some dogs are just wigged out by headgear, or afraid of higher/lower voices.

A dog that can be packed, or, large enough to scramble okay.

They absolutely can not be running around. That's a hazard for all concerned, so they must be willing to just chill and take a nap, no matter how many temptations go by.

Also consider your locale, or places you will visit. Can they take those temps?

Ever expect to bike with them? Be in the snow?

Best to you! Have fun. OLH

Unfortunately you have to settle for second rate. I have the best crag dog and I'm keeping her.

Kurt G. wrote:

Climbing Friend,

good to see you back on the forums, you went quiet for a while. also im sorry that you feel this way and this has become your coping mechanism for not being able to love. i think you need a crag dog or hopefully you still have your chicken and you can learn to love it

I heard he choked his chicken 

Matt Himmelstein wrote:

My pup is great, as long as someone is paying attention to him. 

100% not the kind of dog you want at the crag.

climbing friend,

I love the animalz and the peoplez, just perhaps not always at the crag while I perform cutting edge next level new wave bold one arm campus flash

The best crag dog is no crag dog.. Leave Fido at home...

Meredith E. wrote:

He was built as a bird dog, but both "American" and "English" labs can be good hunters, the difference is mainly in temperament and body conformation.  American labs are being bred primarily to hunt and compete in field trials (both upland game and waterfowl), rather than as pets or service dogs, which has resulted in a line that is different in body conformation (they tend to be taller, and leaner, with less of an otter tail) and a really really high energy level and drive.  They can still be trained to wait for the retrieve, but overall they take a much more experienced trainer and handler, and they need constant excercise and stimulation.  Mine is 6 and most people still think he's 2 because he's still got that young drive.   This link has a good overview of the differences: https://www.labradortraininghq.com/labrador-breed-information/the-difference-between-american-and-english-labradors/

I've had two labs who would fall into the "American" description and while both had enormous energy and drive, they were both very mellow and able to chill, also. Might actually be a gender thing you're seeing given mine were both female and that I know an "English" male lab who is hyper as hell. Can't stop humping everything in sight!