Besides spending time with my dogs, one of my (probably too many) hobbies is hiking. Nature therapy is the best kind of escape from the stresses of everyday life. I especially love that hiking gives me a way to combine two things I love – nature and spending time with my dogs. Yes, I take my small dogs hiking with me! It always surprises me how often I see small dog owners, often times new owners, assuming that they can’t take their small dogs hiking with them,that small dogs can’t handle long or rigorous hikes, or that their small dogs won’t be able to keep up and will need to be carried.
Yes, Small Dogs Absolutely Can Hike Too!
My dog nephew, Garth!
A dog is a dog is a dog. Sadly, there are a lot of negative stereotypes that get associated with small dogs. However, for the most part, most things a large or medium sized dog can do, a small dog can do too! I never really understood why people seem to assume that small dogs can’t handle activities like hiking. Would those same people assume that a human’s ability to hike would be based off their height?
Luckily, for people as well as dogs, mother nature is accepting of us all no matter our size!
I’m including a picture of my sister’s dog, Garth, in this post. Garth is a chihuahua mix who loves hiking and exploring in the woods. My own two dogs, Kitsune and Fenrir, love hiking too! Kitsune is not only a toy breed dog, a papillon, but he’s also technically a senior dog at 12 years old. Fenrir is a 16lb, miniature sized, Alaskan Klee Kai who would spend all day playing out in the woods if I let him!
OK, So Maybe Small Dogs Can Hike – But Are They Actually Good At It?
Yes! Or, I should say, they can be. I’m not saying anyone should expect their dog to be amazing at hiking his or her first time out in the woods, irregardless of their size. Like with all other forms of exercise, best practice is to start your (age appropriate) dog off doing shorter, easier hikes, then work their way up from there.
Once they’re accustomed to hiking, I’ve never had an issue with my small dogs’ ability to keep up during a hike. Quite the opposite, in fact, I often joke that Kit and Fen can hike circles around me. I feel like small dogs are often times so under estimated, especially when it comes to their energy levels! I’m sure there are some small dog breeds that are lazier than others, and energy levels can be different from dog to dog too. However I’ll say, in general, I feel that small dogs are a lot more capable than people give them credit for, especially when it comes to physical challenges.
Why Choose A Small Dog As A Hiking Companion?
There are SO many reasons why someone might choose to share their life with a small dog, most of them not hiking related. However, there are some benefits to being small when it comes to outdoor adventuring! One of my personal reasons for selecting smaller dog breeds was because I wanted dogs that I could easily manage, no matter the situation, on my own. Thinking about things like how I would manage to carry a large injured dog out of the woods by myself was a stressful thought for me. While I don’t generally carry my small dogs very often, knowing that I can do so in an emergency is comforting for me.
Adventuring with a small dog also means you don’t have to carry as much heavy dog supplies with you. Small dogs eat and drink less than their larger counterparts, so you don’t have to lug around as much food and water for them. Smaller dogs also means smaller poops, which is a huge plus when you’re hiking in carry in/carry out locations.
I know small dogs aren’t for everyone, but I just adore mine. Besides being great all around companions, they make amazing hiking buddies! People we meet on the trails often act impressed with Kit’s and Fen’s hiking skills despite their small statures, but the fact of the matter is that they aren’t really special or unique when it comes to their hiking abilities. Most small dogs, like dogs of any other size, love spending time outdoors with their people. With a bit of practice, little dogs can make amazing hiking buddies!
17 Comments
I would prefer a small dog out enjoying themselves to some of the off-leash monsters I see sometimes.
I am very tired of people thinking the sun shines out of their (large) dogs every orifice when the dogs have NO recall training at all. Your two I can imagine, having a total blast out and about with enthusiasm and lots of fun (you can see it in their faces!!)
Would it be fair to say they are like adventure cats in a way? Both are small build and fit harnesses very well, and both might need a bit of backpack help if they ge tired. I know Emily at KittyCat GO takes her cats out hiking and adventure cats are a ‘real thing’ these days!
I know what you mean. It’s kind of frustrating that small dogs get such a bad rap, yet every time in my life I’ve ever had an issue with a misbehaving, off-leash dog it’s always been a large dog. When we lived in the city my poor Kitsune was attacked on multiple occasions by “friendly”, large, off-leash dogs. Dogs should be kept under their owners control when out in public, at all times, no matter their size.
Many small dogs can hike without needing to be carried! They just have to practice and work up to being able to do longer hikes. I never have to carry mine. By the end of the hike, I sometimes wish they could carry me though lol! They for sure have more energy than I do.
I don’t know much about adventure cats but I do think they’re awesome! I’d love to see a cat out hiking someday. I’ve never seen a cat, but where I used to live once in awhile I would run into someone who hiked with a ferret!
I agree. There are a lot of negative stereotypes with small dogs. My dog is a cockapoo and loves to hike as well. He leaps over rocks as if he’s a big dog. Honestly, I was amazed at how well he hiked the first time I took him hiking. In fact, I had to call him back to wait for me. He seemed a bit annoyed that I was hiking like a human and not a dog. Talk about stereotypes. Maybe it’s up to these amazing smaller dogs to break the stereotypes?
There’s been several times when I’ve been hiking with my dog, when people have stopped, looked at my small dog, and said in amazement, “he hikes like a big dog!” Perhaps, it’s more that he’s a dog who loves to hike, just like your pups.
Great article! Here’s hoping the negative small dog stereotype is shattered!
I have to admit even I’m still impressed sometimes when I see Kit or Fen tackle an area that looks like it would be difficult for such small critters. They also leap over rocks and downed trees with ease. Kit is especially funny. When we’re out in the woods in our yard I’ll often times let him be off leash since he has such great recall. He likes to rush ahead of me, but he’ll only go so far before he turns around and waits for me. I always feel like he’s looking at me like “are you coming or what!?”
Yes! We totally need to break the stereotypes and show the world how amazing small dogs can be! I don’t like it when people compare my small dogs to big dogs …as if it’s a compliment to say they are doing something like a big dog would, when small dogs are just as capable.
I feel any dog no matter what size can hike if they have been trained to do it, this discriminating between big and small dogs when it comes to hiking is BS. I belong to a dog hiking group on FB and it amazes me how many hike with small dogs and have only positive thing to say. You are right in an emergency you will have it easier. Great post
I agree with you! I wonder if we’re in any of the same hiking groups, lol. Thanks for your comment.
I don’t have a dog however see your point. I don’t understand why people would think small dogs would not be able to go hiking too. It’s hiking not climbing Mt. Everest, right? Your two dogs look like they had a blast. I loved watching the short video clip of your adventures. I couldn’t agree more about being out in nature being soothing for the soul.
Thank you! They really really love walking in the woods, and I love that I can spend time in nature and with my dogs at the same time. It’s the best!
Small dogs are totally pawsome! I can imagine a small dog being an awesome hiking partner. They can really move when they want to move! You are absolutely right about how much easier it would be to handle a small dog on your own if something were to go wrong.
Aren’t they!? Thankfully we’ve never really had to deal with serious emergencies/injuries, but knowing that I could carry my dogs out of the woods on my own, or pick them up to keep them safe in certain situations, brings me comfort.
Absolutely. Our daughter had a Chi mixed breed, always complaining how the dog won’t settle down, always pestering people.
We started taking her with us for our walks. She thrived and when at home she was happy to flop on the carpet and wait for the next walk.
My small dogs are the same way – Very high energy, and they get antsy if they don’t get enough exercise. They are so chill around the house after a nice walk or hike, though.
I’ve had large and small dogs throughout my life, and both are awesome. My Maltese is a wonderful companion and would be happy to do go hiking with me! She loves riding in a canoe too. As a bonus, I don’t have to worry about tipping it over, which I couldn’t say for my larger dogs.
They are both awesome! I just wish that small dogs didn’t have such a bad stereotype associated with them – as if they are any less of a dog just because of their size. I’ve never tried taking my two in a canoe! We’ve been talking about getting one at some point, though, and of course Kit and Fen will be going on any canoe adventures with us!
I don’t think a dog’s size influences its ability to do most things, hiking included. The only exception might be pulling a dog sled hahaha Outside of that, a dog is a dog regardless of its size. I’ve always had larger dogs but we also have an adventure cat in the house that loves hiking – Clearly it’s not about size! The only problem that I have ever had with small dogs when out camping or hiking is due to owners, as I’ve found many that think they can ignore rules like leash laws because their dog is ‘obviously not a threat’ due to its small stature. That’s why I think we need to focus more on respect for one another and respect for all other dogs, regardless of their size, breed, etc.
The off-leash thing is super frustrating! Like you said, it’s an issue with the owner, not the dog. I’ve had lots of issues with off leash large dogs too! It’s extra scary for me when we run across off-leash big dogs because, honestly a big dog could so easily kill one of my little guys if he/she wanted too. Of course it’s never right, no matter the dogs size, but lots of small dog owners are responsible and follow leash laws, thankfully. It sucks so much that the bad apples give small dogs and their owners a bad rap, and cause people to have bad experiences with small dogs! You’re so right, dog owners should respect one another regardless of their dog’s size/breed/etc.
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