Hiking With Corgis

[xlauren9]

I have always loved to go on relatively short hikes with the girls and their daddy around the area. They looooove the woods and swimming in streams, and everything about the outdoors. Since we enjoy hiking so much, and fall is such a nice time of year here in Pennsylvania, we're considering taking some longer, better planned out hikes with the girls. Since us humans aren't in the best of physical shape as of yet, we won't be doing anything TOO strenuous, YET...but we're looking into some trails in the 4-6 mile range. Now the trails we've been looking at are all dog friendly, and I'm SURE that they'll be better equipped to handle it than we are most of the time. My question is, do any of you have experience taking longer hikes, lasting more than 4 hours or so, with your corgi(s), and if so, is there anything special that you do to ensure their safety? Also, if anybody has any suggestions of any "must haves" for a long hike, (besides plenty of water). We were wondering if doggie backpacks would be a good idea or not. We've never had one, and I'm sure our 2 adult girls wouldn't mind carrying a couple light items, or a bottle of water, but is this safe for a corgi's long back? We would of course be taking plenty of breaks, and everyone will definitely be on leash. Any suggestions or stories or corgi hike pictures even would be great! Here's one of Abbie enoying herself at Suzies Hole in Pequea PA, and the others are Dundie's first time in the stream, and on the same day, beating her bloodhound puppy friend Daisy in a game of chase. Unfortunately, Roxxi does not hold still long enough to take a non-blurry picture. She's so difficult to photograph! That should be better once we get a better digital camera though, hopefully!

[Michael Romanos]

In New Zealand we call the 'woods' the 'bush' and I suppose in both countries we can term it 'forest.' Anyway, a fit Corgi over 18 months old could go for a full day's tramp/trek/hike. I have taken my Corgis for long hikes over mountains and mountainous hills, though Taylor hasn't been out on anything longer than three hours. But that will be rectified soon. Four to six miles is a piece of cake - especially over relatively flat land. Corgis just adore those woods/bush walks and streams/creeks are the icing on the cake. I would encourage you to be more ambitious if you want and your Corgi/s are fit and not obese.

[xlauren9]

Over time, I'm sure we will become much more ambitious. My fiancee is the one who isn't sure HE can handle anything longer than 4-6 miles yet, but hopefully in time that will change. Abbie weighs in at 30 pounds, so technically she is overweight. She carries it well, but she tends to be quite lazy at home. (I don't THINK she's obese, look at her pictures...I've seen corgis much plumper than her..) We're trying to get her more exercise, which is partially the reason why we want to do more hiking with her. Now Dundie is only 6 1/2 months old, and that's another thing that I was wondering.... Her energy is seemingly endless, but being that her vet still reccomends that we carry her up and down stairs to care for her long, growing back, how much activity is safe for a pup her age? I'm just soooo paranoid about making sure nothing happens to that back of hers. She just keeps getting longer and longer! She's already longer than both of her sisters, and probably 3-4 inches shorter!

[Jespah]

I think it's wonderful that you want and can do those kind of hikes with your dogs. I would suggest that if they, like you aren't used to the length yet - build up to it. Go a little further each time and see how they do. Also, watch them, if they are panting excessively, or stopping a lot - let them rest, give them water. Don't forget we walk pretty much in a straight line on a hike. They go back and forth, zig-zag and go off on "chases", so technically they are travelling a lot further than you are.

Your photos are great - they remind me of my two in the water!

[Michael Romanos]

I agree with Jespah - work up towards long distances - 90 minutes one day, 2 hours another, three hours another time. Taylor walks with me at a pace of roughly 12 minutes per kilometre - that works out at two hours for six miles (10km). That is not an enormous task by any means but some poeple and dogs would find it challenging. If there is no drinking stream/creek/river on hand in your walks, by all means take a flask of water and some kind of bowl or wide mouth cup for your Corgis.

Now at 30 lbs your Corgi girl is almost certainly overweight. There are two things here to consider. 1/ Modestly overweight Corgis might not outwardly appear to struggle to walk/run six miles but the effort could have adverse effects medium to long term. 2/ The greatest danger to dogs from living long and healthily is obesity, and a non farm working but very active younger life is a great foundation for long lived dogs.

[jprechel]

We took Ace to Lost Maples state park over the Thanksgiving holiday for an outing. It was his first true hike and he absolutely loved it. Our daily walks down the road are going to really seem boring to him now! Here are some pictures from our adventure:

[Hayashi_eri]

I have no confidence in bringing Buta for hiking...she might just give up & not walk anymore...then I will have to carry the 15KG Corgi thru the rest of the hiking

[Michael Romanos]

Eri - Taylor would do that (refuse to move another step) right past 12 months old - trouble was, it wasn't hiking, just walks to the school/village and back. I would pick him up and carry him a 100 metres and that seemed to satisfy him or give him renewed energy. We went for an extended walk last week and he was off-leash for part of it and on the return journey he got under a tree, shaded from the sun (not a hot one) and signalled to me he wanted a rest and a drink. So he still knows how to communicate.