Dogs in snow

I noticed that Message-ID: <[email hidden]> from
spamfrog contained the following:

Quoted message said:

This is my first dog so I'm wondering if it's OK to take them
winter hillwalking ?

I can only speak for border collies. They LOVE winter conditions.

--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

I have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a short stout dog with short hair and
quite small legs. When he was 6 months old I took him on his first big
walk, 12 miles in the Black Mountains, after heavy rain. He had to hop over
the soggy tusucks for most of that time. At one year of age he did the
same walk in 6 inches of snow. He has also been to the top of Penyfan when
everything was iced over and the wind was blowing at 40 miles an hour, on
that occasion his whiskers and ice brows were 1 mm thick due to ice. He
seemed to be hating every step, if his body language was anything to go by.
But then I hated every step too. We both lost no time in repeating the
adventure whenever the opportunity arose. I used to worry about crippling
or freezing him to death, but he is now 15 years old and the vet can't say
if he will die tomorrow or next year. The only problem he had through his
outdoor experiences was bad eczema on his paws, which I suspect started when
we stayed at a friends farm and he spent days walking about in chicken and
duck [censored].

Sorry to digress. I know you only wanted to know about snow, but... all
those memories.. weep...weep.. :-)

"spamfrog" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

The most recent addition to our family is a Border Terrier called Cuillin.
He's fifteen months old and ready for his first Munro. I'm going down to
Aviemore on Thursday and will probably do Cairn Gorm and weather
permitting Ben Macdui. This is my first dog so I'm wondering if it's OK to
take them winter hillwalking ?

--
Muzz
reply to uglyduck NOT spamfrog

"Geoff Berrow" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I noticed that Message-ID: <[email hidden]> from
spamfrog contained the following:

Quoted message said:

This is my first dog so I'm wondering if it's OK to take them
winter hillwalking ?

I can only speak for border collies. They LOVE winter conditions.

--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

border terriers are a tad smaller though.

"spamfrog" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The most recent addition to our family is a Border Terrier called Cuillin.

This is my first dog so I'm wondering if it's OK to take them winter
hillwalking ?

If he/she is a collie, he/she will be extremely [censored] if you don't.
Don't forget that one of their jobs is to find snow-bound sheep.

John

"spamfrog" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The most recent addition to our family is a Border Terrier called Cuillin.
He's fifteen months old and ready for his first Munro. I'm going down to
Aviemore on Thursday and will probably do Cairn Gorm and weather

permitting

Quoted message said:

Ben Macdui. This is my first dog so I'm wondering if it's OK to take them
winter hillwalking ?

Some breeds can have problems with snow balling up under the paws, however I
can't imagine a Border having any such problems. The only problem you may
have is if the snow is deep and very soft, the dog may find the going
difficult, specilayy with legs that short. Don't worry about the dog though,
wee borders are tough little mutts and it will cover the distance as well as
you. My current hill partner is
http://www.stuartstuart.fsnet.co.uk/misc/boh.jpg and he has no problems with
full on conditions!

"spamfrog" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The most recent addition to our family is a Border Terrier called Cuillin.
He's fifteen months old and ready for his first Munro. I'm going down to
Aviemore on Thursday and will probably do Cairn Gorm and weather
permitting Ben Macdui. This is my first dog so I'm wondering if it's OK to
take them winter hillwalking ?

I have a standard collie, a toy poodle, a maltese-poodle cross, and a
maltese-shihtsu cross. I know the last three sound like old-lady's-lap
dogs, but they're actually farm dogs, all-dog, and no fancies or airs, thank
you very much.

And we have snow, god do we have snow (northern New England). And four dogs
used to three or four half-hour minimum runs a day.

There is snow and snow. Dry snow, however deep, is not a big problem--at
worst when it's very deep, the small dogs will, somewhat gloomily, pace in
my track. Wet snow is another story. It clumps up terribly on the legs and
chest of the small dogs, until they have no more shape than the Michelin
tire man. Trying to walk encased in snowballs tires them pretty
quickly--they basically are paddling, swimming through snow. They're young
and we don't overdo it, but, when we get back, I have to pop them into the
bathtub and hose them down. The malti-poo runs and jumps in on his own--to
give you an idea how unhappy they are.

None of which means they aren't rarin' to go an hour later and devastated if
we substitute our judgment for theirs and leave the small behind. (All
except for the malti-shihtsu: when conditions are bad, she hangs out in the
paddock scarfing horse turds in preference to joining the pack. The smart
one!)

Late in the winter when the snow is crusted and can support the weight of
the small dogs, they race around in high fettle, tormenting the collie and
skittering down icy slopes on their butts, pleased as anything to be out.

Please give the dogfancier/walkers a report on Cuillin's progress!

"Stuart" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"spamfrog" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The most recent addition to our family is a Border Terrier called
Cuillin.
He's fifteen months old and ready for his first Munro. I'm going down to
Aviemore on Thursday and will probably do Cairn Gorm and weather

permitting

Quoted message said:

Ben Macdui. This is my first dog so I'm wondering if it's OK to take them
winter hillwalking ?

Some breeds can have problems with snow balling up under the paws, however
I
can't imagine a Border having any such problems. The only problem you may
have is if the snow is deep and very soft, the dog may find the going
difficult, specilayy with legs that short. Don't worry about the dog
though,
wee borders are tough little mutts and it will cover the distance as well
as
you. My current hill partner is
http://www.stuartstuart.fsnet.co.uk/misc/boh.jpg and he has no problems
with
full on conditions!

You do know the OP is talking border terrier and not border collie don't you
guys?

spamfrog said:

The most recent addition to our family is a Border Terrier called Cuillin.
He's fifteen months old and ready for his first Munro. I'm going down to
Aviemore on Thursday and will probably do Cairn Gorm and weather permitting
Ben Macdui. This is my first dog so I'm wondering if it's OK to take them
winter hillwalking ?

As others have indicated they generally love it.
Be careful that he doesn't get wet and do keep a good eye on him.
I had to carry my last border collie a few miles on the NYM one cold and
very windy day as he got wet and lost all of his energy, which just
reminds me - although mealtime was in the evening, I always gave him
breakfast before mountaineering afterwards.
Regrettably his brother died of hypothermia as our party got involved
with rescuing others in brown cove, which considerably extended the day.
The wind was very severe, which was the cause of the two mountain
accidents and probably in Laddies demise. Despite it being winter
conditions he got wet and lost energy, needing to be carried out.
Graham

"Stuart" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > you. My current hill partner
is

Quoted message said:

http://www.stuartstuart.fsnet.co.uk/misc/boh.jpg

One very happy looking dog. Scotland?

"spamfrog" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The most recent addition to our family is a Border Terrier called Cuillin.
He's fifteen months old and ready for his first Munro. I'm going down to
Aviemore on Thursday and will probably do Cairn Gorm and weather

permitting

Quoted message said:

Ben Macdui. This is my first dog so I'm wondering if it's OK to take them
winter hillwalking ?

Some breeds can have problems with snow balling up under the paws, however I
can't imagine a Border having any such problems. The only problem you may
have is if the snow is deep and very soft, the dog may find the going
difficult, specilayy with legs that short. Don't worry about the dog though,
wee borders are tough little mutts and it will cover the distance as well as
you. My current hill partner is
http://www.stuartstuart.fsnet.co.uk/misc/boh.jpg and he has no problems with
full on conditions!

Bitstring <[email hidden]>, from the wonderful person
bob watkinson <[email hidden]> said
<snip>

Quoted message said:

You do know the OP is talking border terrier and not border collie don't you
guys?

Well =I= noticed that.

I have one of these little monsters that 'takes me for a walk' when ever
I pass the farm he lives at (apparently he is not allowed out on his
own??!). Will walk me for miles, with hundred meter side-sprints
whenever a rabbit bolts from cover.

Can't say I've tried him in snow, but water and mud don't seem to have
any effect. Really p1$$e$ me off - I'm going 'pludge pludge' one sticky
step at a time, and this little hairy rat is ploughing through it at
warp 9 on very short legs. Luckily =I= don't have to hose him off
afterwards. 8>.

--
GSV Three Minds in a Can
SC recommends the use of Firefox; Get smart, or get assimilated.

"bob watkinson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Stuart" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"spamfrog" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The most recent addition to our family is a Border Terrier called
Cuillin.
He's fifteen months old and ready for his first Munro. I'm going down

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Aviemore on Thursday and will probably do Cairn Gorm and weather

permitting

Quoted message said:

Ben Macdui. This is my first dog so I'm wondering if it's OK to take

them

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

winter hillwalking ?

Some breeds can have problems with snow balling up under the paws,

however

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I
can't imagine a Border having any such problems. The only problem you

may

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

have is if the snow is deep and very soft, the dog may find the going
difficult, specilayy with legs that short. Don't worry about the dog
though,
wee borders are tough little mutts and it will cover the distance as

well

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

as
you. My current hill partner is
http://www.stuartstuart.fsnet.co.uk/misc/boh.jpg and he has no problems
with
full on conditions!

You do know the OP is talking border terrier and not border collie don't

you

Quoted message said:

guys?

Yes, I should have been more obvious in my post, here in the Borders, Border
Terriers are known as "Borders" and Border Collies are known as "Collies".

I noticed that Message-ID: <[email hidden]> from bob
watkinson contained the following:

Quoted message said:

You do know the OP is talking border terrier and not border collie don't you
guys?

Yup. Just like talking about my dog. :-)
http://www.ckdog.co.uk/pics/throwitagain.jpg

Border terriers are tough though, if a little small.

--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

This is my first dog so I'm wondering if it's OK to take them
winter hillwalking ?

He'll soon let you know if it's not; other than that - enjoy
it.

--
If you can keep your head when all around are losing theirs...
then you've failed to grasp some important aspect of the
situation.

Well, looks like he'll be coming with us then !!
The breeder we got him from was a hillwalker but we were unable to contact
her to ask about taking them out in the snow.
Thanks for the advice.

--
Muzz
reply to uglyduck NOT spamfrog

Geoff Berrow <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

I noticed that Message-ID: <[email hidden]> from
spamfrog contained the following:

Quoted message said:

This is my first dog so I'm wondering if it's OK to take them
winter hillwalking ?

I can only speak for border collies. They LOVE winter conditions.

Ours did, but she used to start limping when ice built up between her
toes.
We had to keep an eye on that problem.
--
Gordon Harris

John Goldfine said:

"Stuart" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > you. My current hill partner
is

Quoted message said:

http://www.stuartstuart.fsnet.co.uk/misc/boh.jpg

One very happy looking dog. Scotland?

Looking down over the Lost Valley, I suspect.

Alsatians also love the snow if mine's anything to go by. I don't think
she has a happier time than when on a hill in the snow.

http://pkeenan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/xena.jpg

Pics is from 2nd Feb, probably a lot whiter there now.

I've seen the balling problem on her paws once before, had to take my
hands out of my gloves for 5 mins to sort it - it was driving her nuts.
Most of the time the snow is too dry or the temp is too warm for it to
happen.

--
pjk

Quoted message said:

Ours did, but she used to start limping when ice built up between her toes.
We had to keep an eye on that problem.

Yeah, watch out for snow "balling" on their paws.

If it is a problem, try boots (honest!) I think the link is:
www.canine-spirit.co.uk (or .com)

Cheers

Blippie
--
Ten minutes of this rain will do more good in half an hour
than a fortnight of ordinary rain in a month.

Quoted message said:

My current hill partner is
http://www.stuartstuart.fsnet.co.uk/misc/boh.jpg

Is that a karrimor or a paramo or a buffalo collar?

Cheers

Blippie
--
Ten minutes of this rain will do more good in half an hour
than a fortnight of ordinary rain in a month.