Exercise and enjoy nature – hiking is simply fun and contributes to well-being. And if you have your favorite fur nose, the hiking luck is perfect! We'll tell you here what needs to be considered before the mountain calls.
Hiking with a dog: you should check this beforehand
- Entry requirements for dogs: When entering the EU member states, e.g. B. a rabies vaccination can be detected and the dog can be labeled with a transponder (also called a microchip).
- Line obligation: Leashes and / or muzzles are compulsory in some countries (generally or in part e.g. in the town or mountain railways).
- Phone numbers: Clarify beforehand where z. B. the nearest veterinarian clinic is located and write down the number, if necessary also for a local (emergency) veterinarian. In the heat of the moment, you certainly don't have the time or the head to search for phone numbers.
Walking with a dog: equipment
When you go hiking with your dog, there are a few things you shouldn't forget. Here is a packing list for walking with a dog:
- rope
- Light harness or collar
- First aid kit and medicine chest
- Food bag
- Blanket for breaks and hut
- towel
- Travel bowl
- Favourite toy
- Possibly. muzzle
Of course, your equipment also belongs Provisions for your four-legged friend: dried animal food is more durable and especially suitable for longer hikes, sufficient water (Bottle for filling) and Snacks must not be missing either.
Walking with a dog: condition of your four-legged friend
There is no general answer for which tours your dog is fit for or not. Is your dog used to regular exercise, i.e. more than a short walk around the street? Is your four-legged friend free from vertigo and get along well with other people and animals? It makes sense to consider the answers to this when planning your tour, generally adapting the tour to your dog's condition. Plan enough Breaks a, especially when it comes to very warm areas.
The condition and balance of your fur nose can also be trained – but you should only increase the training slowly. For the beginning, wide forest paths are particularly suitable, later you can try narrower ones. So you can make your final travel decisions Test how fit your dog is with short hikes, slowly prepare him for hikes and, especially if your fur nose is not quite so young, with the vet advise about it.
Walking with a dog: tips for the tour
You should like the tour, of course! Nevertheless, it must also fit the dog and you should rule out avoidable sources of danger in advance – as far as possible. Via ferratas are not suitable for walking with dogs and narrow passages can also be dangerous. Especially for a mountain tour, your dog should master certain commands in order to make the tour as safe as possible. And remember: Running up a mountain is gentler on the joints, down – if the tour is too difficult or your dog is not used to long hiking tours, you often have the option of going down again with a mountain railway.
Even with the Crossing pasture land caution is advised, as suckler cows may consider your dog a danger. Therefore, keep your dog on a short leash and cross the area quickly (do not run!). Only in an emergency, i.e. when a cow attacks you, you release the dog from the leash so that it can escape.
With regard to the Seasons also make sense to take precautions, e.g. B. with hot asphalt in summer or with snow in winter (like dog shoes).
Walking with a dog: overnight stays
At alpine club huts it can be more difficult to accommodate with a dog. According to the German Alpine Association, you should clarify in advance with the hut owner whether there is a way to accommodate you. Nevertheless, there are plenty dog-friendly accommodations such as holiday homes or hotels. If an accommodation is not specifically advertised for dogs, you should do well here in advance to ask whether dogs are allowed – or to use routes on which dog-friendly holiday homes and hotels are located.
Here you will find even more great tips for traveling, such as hiking with children, travel hacks to save or the most beautiful hiking routes in the world.
Are you going hiking with your dog for the first time? Or are you still looking for a travel partner? In our Brigitte Community you can exchange ideas with like-minded people and get tips (or find a nice travel companion ?).