Healthy adult Shelties age one through up to ten years old are excellent hiking partners. Consider your Sheltie’s health status, joint health in particular, and allow your pet to build stamina over time. Avoid hiking in hot weather, prioritize safety, and read your pet’s cues to prevent fatigue and exhaustion.
TRAITS THAT MAKE SHELTIES GREAT HIKING PARTNERS
High Energy And Bright Mind
By definition, a herding dog is an active soul, and often even a restless one. Shelties are certainly dynamic, high-energy dogs that need plenty of stimulation and exercise. Shetland sheepdogs are also among the most intelligent breeds of dogs, so a variety of activities and interactions are very important for them.
Few activities are superior to hiking when it comes to providing an opportunity to explore and run around, as well as bond with the owner. Hiking is a wonderful energy outlet in general and will help to keep your Sheltie busy, fit, happy, and appropriately tired at the end of the day.
Owner-Oriented Personality And Excellent Obedience Potential
Shetland sheepdogs can be vigilant around strangers but they are sociable dogs in general, as long the dog was socialized from a young age. Keep your dog in sight to avoid any incidents and misunderstandings on the trail if your pup tends to bark at strangers,
Shelties are infinitely loyal to their human families. Being on a trail is a fabulous way to include your dog in family life and bond with your pet.
Being so attuned to the owner and seeking the owner’s approval further boosts these dogs’ great learning capacity. Shelties have the intelligence to learn and practice new skills, and their sociable personalities amplify their learning potential.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE TAKING YOUR DOG ON A HIKING TRAIL
Shetland sheepdogs are hardy dogs with a good lifespan and generally excellent health. They are, however, prone to issues with their joints and hips especially as the dog matures.
Joint Health
Purebred dogs are more likely to develop hip dysplasia because there is a strong genetic component to this disorder. However, nutrition and other environmental factors contribute to its development. Hip dysplasia is common in Shetland sheepdogs.
Some Shelties show signs of the problem before they turn one year old. The screening is more definitive when the dog is about 2 years old.
Affected animals may appear stiff, and reluctant to jump, run, and be active in general. Many pups develop a characteristic narrow stand and a limping or awkward gait.
High-impact activities, including running and hiking up and down high hills, stress the joints in general. Dogs with existing hip dysplasia or arthritis would struggle, and their joints would experience further stress and deterioration. Swimming could be a great alternative and low-impact way to stay active for a dog with bad joints.
If you think that your dog may be in pain, especially after walks and hikes, consider joint problems as a potential culprit. An x-ray is a diagnostic tool your veterinarian provider will probably order to rule out this issue.
HIKING WITH A SHELTIE
As strong and enthusiastic about outdoor activities as Shelties typically are, there are several things you could do to give your pet the best chance to enjoy hiking safely.
Condition Your Dog
Avoid starting with a long and strenuous hiking trail. Start with an easy, short hike. Doing so will help your dog build up strength and stamina and allow you to notice any limitations.
If the dog looks energetic and happy after hiking, then the hike is not too much for your pet. Looking a little tired is okay but if your dog is panting heavily and appears exhausted, let him or her rest, offer some water, and consider choosing an easier trail next time.
Promote A Healthy Weight
A healthy weight is important for dogs in general but especially those with hip dysplasia and joint problems. Being heavy makes hiking more challenging due to overall deconditioning and the stress on the joints.
Excessive weight gain is a problem for many household pets. Monitor what and how much your pet eats. Many treats are high in calories but low in nutrients so pay attention to the ingredients.
Exercise is an important aspect of staying fit for dogs but your pet would need to reach his or her optimal weight and build up some stamina to participate in a high-intensity hike.
Consider Your Dog’s Age
Old dogs and puppies generally should avoid hiking, unless it is an easy short hike.
A young dog’s skeleton, the joints in particular, takes up to two years to become fully formed. Dogs are vulnerable to injury during periods of rapid growth.
As for old animals, they have limited energy levels and are more medically vulnerable. Your mature Sheltie might not enjoy high-intensity exercise, although there is not an upper age limit – it depends on your dog.
Ages two to about eight would be the prime time to hike for most dogs but, as always, read your pup’s cues and evaluate his or her tolerance of exercise.
Prioritize Safety On The Trail
Supervise your dog closely, especially if your pet is a novice hiker and you are not sure how he or she will behave on a new trail.
- If your Sheltie could eat or drink something on the trail out of curiosity, keep him on a close leash for safety. You may encounter poisonous wild plants or a contaminated water source and your pup could inadvertently ingest something
- Keep your dog in sight at all times
- Use non-toxic insect repellent for dogs for protection from ticks and other insects
- Choose shaded trails in the summer to prevent heatstroke
- Be ready to take your pup on a leash at any moment. Many trails require that dogs remain on a leash at all times.
Avoid Hiking In Hot Weather
When you do take your dog on a hike, a day not warmer than 70°F (21°C) is ideal. Shetland sheepdogs are very hardy, sporty dogs but overheating and dehydration are so dangerous for dogs in general that it is best to be cautious.
You could use a cooling vest or a casual cooling collar to keep your pet comfortable on hot days. It is important to check the size chart provided by the seller if you considering purchasing a cooling vest for the dog.
If you hike in the summer, be strategic and choose shaded trails, hike in the morning rather than the afternoon, and consider finding shelter as needed.
Read our post on Sheltie’s tolerance of hot weather and tips on keeping dogs cool in summer.
What To Bring When Hiking With A Dog
Bring enough water for your Sheltie, unless you know that the trail has fountains or other options available to replenish your supply.
There are several other supplies to consider bringing along:
- A light water bottle for dogs, collapsible bottles are more compact
- Snacks and treat
- A towel to clean up any dirt your pet might get into
- Cooling collar or cooling vest, especially if you routinely hike on warm days
- Dog boots to prevent injury, and those are great for jogging, as well as hiking
- A first aid kit for dogs is always a good idea, especially when you venture out to a remote area
- A non-toxic insect repellent for dogs
The number of items to bring along should be kept to a minimum, depending on how long your hike is. Some trails have plenty of amenities, such as drinking water fountains and recycling buckets, others are classic trails in the forest with nothing along the way.
Choose Dog-Friendly Trails
Here in the Pacific Northwest, most hiking trails are dog-friendly but every state and country has its own rules, of course. Do some research before making the trip to check if the trail you plan to explore is a dog-friendly one.
Final Thoughts
Few other breeds are as well suited for hiking and outdoor activities in general as Shelties! Smart, curious, and dynamic, these dogs are fabulous activity companions.
That said, read your dog’s cues! Even hardy dogs need your guidance and supervision. With all the individual variations, it is always important to use your knowledge of your dog and assess how your Sheltie tolerates the hike. Adjust your plan as needed if your pet is tired on the trail.
