Good "camping" breeds?

[BostonBanker]

of all these dogs only the curs have a high percentage of good recall off a track.

Interesting. I've always been impressed with Meg's recall compared to most tracking/hunting breeds I've known, but assumed it was just her worried nature that prevents her from going too far.

Having said that, the one creature I have never been able to call her off once she is on the trail is rabbit. Our off-leash time around the neighborhood is pretty much nil most of the summer because of their presence.

I have to agree that in general, I wouldn't go out looking for a hound or other similar breed if you wanted something that would hang around the campsite. Sure, you are going to find exceptions in any breed, but the odds are a lot better in most other breeds.

[vanillasugar]

Originally Posted by Dekka

Don't count out Sierra yet. It might take till she is a bit older but I bet you will get there with her!!

This is my hope Kerri. She's SO attached to me when we're inside (following me from room to room, rarely straying more than 6 feet from where I am), I'm just crossing my fingers that with time she'll start to be more reluctant to roam when we're outside too. In the meantime, we just keep working on recall and work on a long-line.

Thanks for the input everyone, it's given me a few breeds I hadn't considered

[Doberdogs]

I take my dogs camping all the time, they do great and love it. I see all different breeds camping successfully. Some more successfully than others, obedience and owner relationship is important.
A bad thing is KOA camp grounds have breed bans.

[Zhucca]

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever!

Smaller size, reliable offleash, have the energy to hike, swim etc, and can easily chill at the firepit with you with comfort.

[Toller_08]

I agree with Zhucca -- a Toller would make a fantastic camping dog. I'm not sure what sort of breeds you tend to like, but they'd definitely be one to look into if you like them at all. They're wonderful off-lead, and honestly, I have a hard time getting my two to leave me to go exploring a bit for very long. They're constantly looking back to check in and see if plans have changed, haha. They've got lots of energy to keep up with any active outdoorsy type people, but most aren't excessive about it. They enjoy all aspects of the outdoors, but also are very content inside as well -- they like to be where their people are. They're very easily trained, too.

[Xandra]

Well, you want a dog that is confident and something that can be conned into doing whatever. My GSD is a good camping dog. Pretty good off leash without much training, is confident and puts a lot of heart into doing what I want him to.

He is from working lines and has what I would consider to be a lot of prey drive, however, he doesn't go after things that I haven't imprinted him on first... for instance, he has no interest in ducks at the park, cats, etc. However, he will strain at the leash, choke, flail and scream if he sees something I've previously encouraged him to pursue, and I prevent him from getting it without giving him a "shut up and behave" command.

The prey drive is a great thing to have in a dog that is going to be encountering a lot of new situations because, for instance, if you want him in the canoe and he's never seen a canoe, you have just to pick up a stick, wave it around and he'll do anything for it without thinking. He's fun to be around because he's an eager beaver and will try anything for you.

Aside from that he's about 80-90 lbs (might be a bit big for what you're doing), athletic (can clear a 4-5 ft fence without touching, can make it into a dumptruck box from the ground, etc.) he's enduring (3 hours at the beach, running after the ball, dragging our shoes behind him, in 2 feet of water, he barely slowed down) and even when I get him truly tired, he will still try if I ask him to do something. In the house, he settles down and will stay settled down, even if he could use a real workout.

Well that was long winded. In summary, I would go for a breed that is know for being eager to please, and pick a pup that has decent prey drive and is completely confident in new surroundings.

Aesthetically pleasing too!


Our pace was boring him


Relaxing

[Psyfalcon]

A lot of it depends on when, where and how you'd be camping.

Car camping in the summer is very different from winter backpacking.

If you want to do winters or such, a double coated dog is a must. A friends Boxer mix shivered all night inside the sleeping bag, with a person, but Buster slept on a blanket in the 20f weather (in the tent) and as far as I could tell, only shivered once. He popped up, spun in a few circles while I doubled the blanket and got some more over my sleeping pad, and he slept through the rest of the night.

Make sure they will fit in your tent. A 2 person tent with 2 people might fit a BC, but nothing larger.

My experience with GSPs are not quite as bad as what Romy says. I've met a few crazy ones, but also some that were reasonable at staying close. I've met some amazing Brittanys. They are supposed to be close working and check in often, it may help to find some French lines in the background, they're a bit smaller, softer, but smarter . But a big, orange male Brittany is very pretty.

Basically, pick something from the Herding, working or sporting groups that otherwise fits your lifestyle. Maybe excepting those northern types

[Laurelin]

My experience with GSPs are not quite as bad as what Romy says. I've met a few crazy ones, but also some that were reasonable at staying close. I've met some amazing Brittanys. They are supposed to be close working and check in often, it may help to find some French lines in the background, they're a bit smaller, softer, but smarter . But a big, orange male Brittany is very pretty.

I actually thought of a French Brittany. They're a good size, bred to work closer, slightly lower energy. Might be good to look at.

[planet molosser]

Many of my CAs are sold to into the wilderness to protect from Bear and Cougar and human predators. Some are trained off leash however they will defend thus ff leash is not the best.



Our dogs do stuff. FoxFire Farms Biography of a Professional Dog Breeder 12 years - Our dogs do stuff - Powered by PhotoPost

[Zhucca]

Love that pom in that picture!

A bit off topic, but Planet Molosser you've totally 'sold' me to the CAS!

I've always loved them, they're beautiful but I never really knew much about them. I think I'll probably get one instead of a tibetan mastiff (which, is 5+ yrs away... I need more dog experience.) The DA in the tibetan mastiff is a turn off.. but the the CAS is definitely looking more and more appealing everyday.