Under the name of dogtrekking, imagine an orientation walk with the dog. Official rules rank it among extreme dog endurance sports.
What’s it about?
Under the name of dogtrekking, imagine an orientation walk with the dog. Official rules rank it among extreme dog endurance sports. As the name suggests, treks with a dog are characterized by both a more demanding terrain and the length of the route, which is around 100 km (the minimum according to the official rules is 80 km). The trek is usually for more days and counts with the possibility of an overnight stay in beautiful nature.
In the Czech Republic, it’s a relatively young sport that, according to available sources, appeared here after the year of 2000. And although a number of enthusiasts pursue this sport informally, there have been a relatively little dogtrekking events or undertakings (in the words of dog-trekkers) since then. What conditions do you actually have to meet as participants in dogtrekking?
Basic features of dogtrekking
Dogtrekking will train your orientation: the aim is to complete a previously set up route at an official undertaking, using a map, itinerary and within a given time limit.
Dogtrekking will test not only your physical fitness, but also mental. The demanding nature of the terrain and the whole-day stay outdoors with a sense of reliance on you alone, will do for anyone at first.
Dogtrekking will strengthen the mutual relationship with your dog partner, since you’re not alone for the trek, you have your four-legged partner with you, with whom you’ll deepen the relationship and mutual understanding thanks to the moments spent together and performed physical work.
Dogtrekking will support mutual fidelity: for the whole time of the walk, you have to be connected to your dog, whether using a leash or with a cord between the dog’s harness and the back wrap of the dog handler.
Dogtrekking will make adventurers out of you: hundred-kilometer distances, several kilos of load, time limit, spending a night under the open sky and the incredible feeling of satisfaction, when you arrive to the finish line. All of this will turn you into excited adventurers pretty soon.
Dogtrekking teaches respect: this dog sport doesn’t only teach respect towards nature, but to yourself and to your dog, but also to other participants and their dogs. You can walk the trek both together in a group or alone, if you prefer peace and solitude.
Equipment
And what will you need for dogtrekking? Among basic equipment of the dog and its master belong the following:
a leash and a collar;
extendable cord;
dog harness;
back wrap or belt;
dog backpacks or bags;
other accessories such as protective shoes for the dog (2 shoes per dog), for example, or a raincoat for the dog (optional).
At an official dogtrekking undertaking, the obligatory equipment for the couple dog handler – dog for their joint walk is determined by the organiser (in the so-called propositions). What you’ll always definitely pack in the backpack with you: a sleeping bag, sleeping mat (or an allu mat, blanket or a hammock), headlamp, map, first aid kit, dog food and water for the dog (min. 1 litre) including a bowl, food and water for you.
How to get started?
Dogtrekking, similarly as canicross, ranks among the dog sports which, according to the words of the organisers, are for everyone. So, it doesn’t depend much on the size or on the breed of the dog. However, what determines this discipline from the start, is yours and your partner’s certain physical fitness. But I’m a living proof, that it’s possible to survive an (unofficial) trek with the dog even without great physical fitness, that you’ll both improve with time anyway :-).
A great advantage is, that as with canicross, you can take advantage of the support of your dog and using its pull, if you’re connected by a cord between the harness and the back wrap, you’ll overcome the demanding mountainous terrain easier. You definitely don’t have to start right off with a 100km route, but you can try a shorter track for yourself (I recommend 30 – 40 km at least).
A whole number of outdoor agencies today already offer an “experience” in the form of one- to three-hour tours harnessed to a sled dog. If you don’t have your own dog, but you’d like to try this sport, this is an ideal opportunity. This option is already offered by some mountain hotels. Since dogtrekking largely takes place in mountain environment. You can take part in a dogtrekking undertaking in most Czech mountains as well.
Definitely don’t hesitate to get advice from internet forums, dog trekkers are generally very friendly and they will always help. Maybe you’ll even find new partners for trekking trips :-).
How do you like this dog sport? Have you already got some experience with it? Share it with other readers :-).
It's no secret that dogs like to visit the vet about as much as we like to visit the dentist. For most dogs, it causes stress that lasts for several hours. Thanks to their instincts, they sense it before you even leave for the vet's clinic. How can you...
When we let nature work and we don't interfere with it, it can do wonders. Letting the wolves into Yellowstone National Park and leaving them to their our own fate shows us what a complex system nature is and how dozens of wild beasts can transform...
58-year-old Chris found a new life purpose in rescuing and caring for cats after his son died. It helps him cope with his grief, and it gives him something to do.
Many of us love essential oils, whether it's because of their smell or their curative effects. Every other home has an aroma lamp or diffuser. But did you know what effects these fragrances have on your cats, and that they can seriously harm them?...
You've surely seen the viral videos where cats jump away in fright and are in complete shock because of a cucumber. Would you like to know the reason for this? Are cats afraid of this harmless vegetable, or is there another reason?
This little dog is very dependent on its owner. It is boundlessly dedicated to its owner and will do anything to cheer him up. It's not surprising that it's also referred to as an antidepressant dog. After all, just looking at this dog will put...
Although their appearance and nature is somewhat similar to that of the Norwegian Forest cat and Maine Coon cats, Siberian cats are not as popular. Outside of Russia and the former Eastern Bloc, they are not well known and are not seen very often. In...
Dogs are an inseparable part of our lives. But how to do it when your dream is to travel around the world on a sailboat or any other adventure? Take your furry friend with you. What shouldn’t you forget when preparing for a long journey wherever it...
The second day of Hindi festival called Tihar is devoted to dogs. Their loyalty and devotion is celebrated, they are honoured as companions, guardians and friends. A holiday which is full of lights and colours doesn’t forget about stray dogs and it is...
Brown rats are very cleanly animals. You can see them licking themselves several times a day and thus keeping their fur in a perfect condition. They suffer if their environment is not suitable, even though they can survive it. Many people think they...
For us, devoted dog parents, changes in our lives often include our dog companions. Moreover, the stuff we do to keep our furry friends happy and healthy also commonly influence us as well. We owe them for better life and they deserve to get the same...
It is sometimes fine to disrupt dogs’ routine by an interesting activity and what might be better than to teach your dog some tricks. Dogs hate boredom, even the greatest lazybones welcome some distraction. Here you have a couple of tips for tricks you...