Bushcrafting with dog?

[TheViking]

Hi...

I have a 4-year old border collie and I want to take it on some bushcrafting trips, to fight the loneliness on my bushtrips. (I'm the only one in my family whoes interested in it and do it)
But i'll ask you!: I presume that he can go with me, but for how many degrees (C) can it keep itself warm? Has a very thick fur! (up to 8-9 cm. hair) :icon_arro Not so experienced with dogs, again so i'll hope that some of you are!? :icon_ques :icon_excl

[Gary]

When going camping or doing bushcraft for pleasure I often take my dog with me - apart from being crap at bow drill he's a good companion.

I wouldnt worry about your dog getting to cool - if the temperature drops to much he will use you, or your fire for warmth.

Hardest thing to get used to is trusting your dog not to run off at night - it took me many nights before I could sleep soundly and not worry about waking up and finding the dog gone. Of course you can tie it up but I feel this is unfair - why should I be allowed to enjoy a moment of freedom when he can't.

Also remember to carry enough food for him, even if you dont worry about yourself you must carry food and water for your dog.

[Tony]

Get the dog a pack so it can carry it's own foot etc :ylsuper:

Something like this...

http://petcare.shoppingsavvy.com/Bac...ing-Savvy.html

[Roving Rich]

My dog is a right woos. He has a thin coat and feels the cold, so insists on snuggling up against me. I carry a light blanket for him, and dry food. He has even slept in the hennessy with me. To begin with he was a pain in the neck, as he insisted on barking at passing snails all night, then next time he reserved his howls to join in with the dawn chorus. He is finally getting the hang of outdoor sleeping and allows me to get some sleep aswell now.
Still aint caught me a rabbit though
Rich

[Gary]

Mine neither - in fact I have walked him past Rabbits, Squirrels and even a herd of Deer and he didn't bat an eye lid but show him a fly!

[Roving Rich]

I can get him to notice them once he's finished sniffing the hedgerow, then he does a great job of chasing them away !

Rich

[Ed]

Not so experienced with dogs, again so i'll hope that some of you are!?

Might be a good idea of getting some experience... at least be able to handle a dog and keep it under control before you take it out as a bushcrafting companion. ;-)
Maybe just start with long day walks in the country.....

:-)
Ed

[TheViking]

Hi...

Ed: I do dayhikes nearly every day with my dog... :icon_idea ;D
I have a 100% control over it and can command it to do a lot of things. :biggthump So on that side of the case, it's all okay, what i meant with experience with dogs is that i don't know that much about a dogs anatomy and ability to live in the woods...

[Gary]

Theres a saying which says - Modern man is only 48 hours away from the cave man.

Well if thats the case modern dog is only an afternoon away.

I wouldnt worry about your dog - he's better equipped to survive than you.

[ChrisKavanaugh]

You may want to invest in a few sets of booties should rough terrain be encountered. The sleddogs up north use these. They can be simple leather affairs or man made materials.

[maddave]

I use my pooch as a furry hot water bottle....Excellent
I think it would be interesting trying to get all 6 stone of him into a Hennessey :rolmao:

Your dog should stand all but the very harshest UK weather (be sure to check hime for ticks often though and keep his frontline up to date)

[slyfox]

i would say it comes down to what your dog is used to, if your dog is used to a warm climate then it's not ready for the cold,as i have a Husky that shivers in the snow.
Sly. :shock:

[tenbears10]

I haven't been bushcrafting with my spaniel but he has no trouble keeping warm. Sometimes he is too enthusiastic and he's cold but doesn't realise. The most difficult is the warm weather at the moment, he still runs around like a mad thing and then nearly overheats. I have to keep him at heel for his own good.

As for catching rabbits given the chance he is an expert. I took him shooting when he was a bit too young and he caught a deer! A bit embarrassing and it took a lot of training to correct that.

Bill