Can You Take Your Small Dogs Hiking?

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!

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!