Hikers best friend? Which is best?

[Amstaffer]

My friend lost his dog to cancer about 2 months ago and he is now thinking about getting another dog. He is going to go through a shelter or Rescue. The main thing he does with his dog beside the whole family thing is he is a serious hiker. He travels all over the United States and Canada hiking.

His last dog was a Irish Setter but he wants to switch to a dog with shorter hair that doesn't catch a lot of burrs. He also wants a dog with a longer life span if possible but doesn't want a small dog. He hikes in Cold and Hot dry places so the dog has to tolerate both. He is smart dog person and always carries plenty of water but he doesn’t' want a breed that over heats fairly easy. (That is why I steered him away from my favorite the Amstaff)

I'm going to recommend the following; do you have any other ideas?
Aussie Blue Healer (Cattle Dog)
Chesapeake Ret.
Rhod. Ridgeback (?cold hardiness?)

 

[oriondw]

Does the dog need some protection abilities as well?

I would recommend a CAO.

Short hair, very rugged, very high endurance, and has enough stopping power to take down anything upto a mountain lion. They are from mountains, naturally dont need alot of water, and can often go miles without rest with proper conditioning.

They live about 12-14 years from everything I read.

 

[Amstaffer]

Interesting breed, did a search and it looks right up his alley. I wonder if they are hard to find. He doesn't need protection, actually he doesn't want a protective dog. They are sure good looking to dogs...to me anyway.

When I first did the search two breeds come up with that name,

1st result Cao da Serra de Aires. Not anything like he was looking for...It is a midsized borderline foofoo dog. lol

2nd search result and the breed I think you meant....Cão de Fila de São Miguel

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Saje]

I was just reading about the Anatolian Shephard. I don't know that much about them but they sound like they are very athletic and adaptable.

 

[BigDog2191]

Dalmation and Weimaraner sound like they good to this man some good.

 

[Amstaffer]

Dalmation and Weimaraner sound like they good to this man some good.

I know the Weimaraner is a hunting dog but how is the Dalmation in the cold? They seem to have the same about of hair as my Amstaffs and they are not winter sports animals.

 

[BigDog2191]

Ah, you're right.

I didn't read that part, sorry.

Weimaraner's may be the same, they've very thin, short coats.

Beagle? Or Bloodhound?

I dunno if the Bloodhound would have the energy... it doesn't seem like they would. Same with the Beagle... I'll find one!

 

[Renee750il]

What he needs is a Bimmer-dog, but unfortunately there's only one of those in the world He even pulls the burrs out of his own fur!

I'd say he might find the perfect dog at the shelter just waiting . . . Actually, a nice Pittie would be a good choice.

 

[BigDog2191]

I think a German Shepherd like Rocky would fit the bill too.

They can adapt to any weather climate, they're full of energy, and I'm sure he'd be a great hiking companion. Maybe not as a puppy but if you found a young adult, it should work out great.

 

[Renee750il]

My Bear (GSD/Akita mix) loved to hike.

 

[bubbatd]

To me a lab or lab mix would fit the bill.

 

[Amstaffer]

Actually, a nice Pittie would be a good choice.

As much as I love bully breeds, most of them don't do the best in cold temps.

 

[Renee750il]

Yep, I'd forgotten about that. They do so well here, but we don't have more than a couple of months of hard winter, with maybe 20 days or so of sub-freezing weather.

 

[Doberluv]

I think a Lab or Lab mix too, would fit the bill. I've had them and I hike. No dog should over exert himself in extreme temperatures. Heat stroke is easily brought onto any dog. But a Lab is a good brush buster, atheletic, strong, sturdy and love going on hikes.

I am a hiker and I just lost my Lab recently to old age. I now go hiking with my Chihuahuas and Doberman. They're all great hikers too, believe it or not. The Chi's keep right up with the Dobe, don't get any more tired than he does and can go where he has trouble. If there's a bunch of trees down across the trail with branches and twigs and if it's too high to jump, he has to figure out how to go around, way up a bank and through more brush. The Chihuahuas can fit through any little crack in the twigs, no problemo. LOL. But again....both my breeds don't do terrifically in extreme temps. But when it's cold, they stay warm on account of the exercise. I wouldn't want to hike in sub zero temperatures anyhow.....can't imagine anyone wanting to do that. LOL. It's movies and a fire in the fireplace for me.

 

[joce]

Our labs always loved going and my dobe loves it now but he'd be cold too easilly! The cattle dog at the barn didn't like being outside if it was cold so that might not be the best choice. The paws are the big thing you have to look at though. A bad cut and a dog will never be able to go again. I know some breeds are supposed to have tougher pads than others(heard huskies are thick). Any shepard/lab/husky mix from a shelter would probally do great. My mom said she sees border collies all the time when they go hiking.

 

[Athe]

I would suggest Shepherd mix, Lab mix, Rottie mix etc. If adopting an older dog watch for the lazy sit (HD).
If hiking I would watch out for any breed that has high predatory drives.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

I think a lab would be a good choice, too. Tippy, my border collie, has medium-length fur, longer fur on her belly, and burs get stuck in there so easily.

 

[avenlee]

Yup, I was thinking Lab right off the bat before I read all the posts. They are such a companion sturdy dog.

 

[bubbatd]

Either a lab or shave a golden retriever.!!

 

[Dakotah_2009]

I would mostly say a Lab to. But I would get a Yellow one, b/c if u go where there r hunters they might mistaken a Black or Chocolate Lab for a boar or wild cat or somthing (its happened). So I would say a Yellow Lab! In plus they r easy to spot, in the woods b/c of their coats.