Plant, dog, baby...

[Lmorgan87]

They say that first you should get a plant, then you should get a dog, then a baby. Well I'm a long way off the last one but I have gone and got myself my own little trail hound! She's a Jack Russell pup and Ive christened her Bothy. I'm looking for tips from any of you guys who Bivi with your dogs. Do they share your sleeping bags? Do they keep up on rides? Do they do well in colder temperatures? Any pointers would be very helpful, thanks chaps...

[Taylor]

Don't ride with them is the best I can offer. Defo don't ride with her until she's at least one year old.
I've got a Springer who would keep up with me all day when I was riding but I retired him aged five years old due to niggly injuries.
He's now 8.5 and in the last year he's had both his cruciates ruptured which cost ~£5k* to repair him but he's still limpy after an hours walk nowadays which makes me regret riding with him in the first place.

We're planning on a Cocker/Sprocker in the spring and he's not going to ride with me. :(

* fortunately he is insured so it cost £120 is excess fees.

Nice dog BTW.

[Zippy]

Awww cute dog, gotta train our Mutt to come running with us.

P.s. glow in the dark chuck it balls are ace fun in the dark!

[JohnClimber]

As above DON'T run them any more than playing with them normally for the first 12 months (maybe 14 months) of their lives.
That is until their bones are fully developed, if you run them too early you and they will have many un happy years of pain and regret.

[faddyvictor]

As the others have said, let the doggies bones develop properly first and then definitely keep distances
short and speeds much lower, it can be good fun riding with your dog, I have a collie who loves to come biking
but they will run till they drop they are so eager to please. Another idea would be to take a 30ltr pack then you could always put your dog in there after a while, its been done before :D

[Lmorgan87]

Thanks for the info chaps, I definitely didn't realise that they can be hurt by running them too hard before their bones develop. I might have to do the unthinkable and leave my beloved singlespeed at home in favour of the blister inducing walking boots! She'll be out on the farm with me a lot so until we're going out properly ill get her used to being in the rucksack. Great excuse to get some new gear! Now who's doing offers on osprey 30ltr packs....?