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Subject Topic: Backpacking with 2 dogs! Post Reply Post New Topic
21/2/2011 at 9:37am
 Location: Glasgow
 Outfit: None Entered
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Joined: 20/2/2011

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Hi, I'm relatively new to camping and backpacking and would really appreciate some advice.
I plan on doing the West Highland Way in spring/summer 2012 with my 2 border collies and one of my friends. I'm wondering what tent could accommodate 2 grown men and 2 Border Collies plus gear. It has to be relatively lightweight, fairly quick to erect and can withstand everything the Scottish weather can throw at it.
We are also planning some camping/backpacking trips prior to the WHW to build ourselves (and our dogs) up to it.
Am I looking for too much?
Thanks in advance.
Oh just add, I have already looked at all the reviews and I have seen a few tents that look promising. I was wondering if there is anyone in a similar situation who can advise which tent is best and which ones to avoid?

Post last edited on 21/02/2011 09:51:53


21/2/2011 at 9:54am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Cycle camper
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Have you considered taking a small 'pup' tent for the dogs? If not, you would need to have a tent with large vestibule for them! What about this
Shangri-La 3
or the smaller one if you can fit all in?


21/2/2011 at 10:42am
 Location: Beautiful Warwickshire
 Outfit: Various tents
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Welcome to UKCS David. Yoiu will find lots of info in these forums which are fully searchable using the button at the top of the page. For example here is a UKCS forum search for camping with dogs.

As to your question, border collies are a hardy breed with a dense coat - could they not sleep outside the tent?

To accommodate two adults and their gear plus two dogs you might perhaps be better looking at expedition tents rather than a true mountain tent. You can find some general advice on lightweight tents here and a selection of two-person tents here.

Good luck with your search and enjoy your trip to the West Highland Way.


02/3/2011 at 9:39am
 Location: Warwick
 Outfit: Outwell Montana 6
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Quote: Originally posted by Sceptical Camper on 21/2/2011
As to your question, border collies are a hardy breed with a dense coat - could they not sleep outside the tent?

As an owner of Border Collies, I would say that they would only be suitable for outside if they were working dogs that were normally kept outside. Even then they normally have a kennel (that is raised off of the ground) to protect them from the elements and bedding to keep them warm.

The OP is also talking about possibly going in Spring, and I imagine the temps up around Fort William could be fairly cold, winds strong and the chance of rain/sleet. Also if they're camping on high ground the temps will be even lower than the forecasted ones.

TBH, even if it's a working dog, it should at the least be in a pup tent with bedding to keep sheltered from the elements, then at least it only has to survive the cold.


02/3/2011 at 11:54am
 Location: West Yorkshire
 Outfit:  Kyham Freelander and Kairos 400
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Joined: 05/7/2004

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How about 2 tents? Each one takes a man and a dog. That is if your friend doesn't mind sharing with a mutt. It would keep both animal and man warmer.

Just my twopenno'rth!


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09/3/2011 at 10:04pm
 Location: The Kingdom of Fife
 Outfit: Corado 6 - Virginia 5 - Tadpole 23
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I would have thought any light(ish) 3 man tent would be ideal for you guys. Vango probably do some decent ones at reasonable prices. The dogs aren't very big anyway and you wouldn't be carrying that much stuff I wouldn't think?

I'd keep the dogs inside, they'd make a good hot water bottle substitute for each of you if it's cold. I'll be going away again soon in my two man Tadpole 23 and taking my German Shepherd.

What about a Vango Halo 300. Would be just under 2kg each to carry and there would be bags of room (relatively speaking) and an entrance each. I'd be looking at something like that if I was going away with my girlfriend and our two dogs (GSD/Golden retreiver).


09/3/2011 at 11:48pm
 Location: Argyll Scotland
 Outfit: 1997 Bailey Ranger 470 4
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If you are walking the West Highlaned Way with dogss, I suggest you buy and staudy a good book on the subject well before you go

You will be traversing farms and estates most of the way and loose dogs, even thee most obediant ones, will not be tolerated and probably shot on sight, with good reason. So you must keep your dogs on leads at all times.

Be aware that you will ge crossing Deer Fences and although these have ladders, you will need to carry your dogs over these. They can be 15 or 20 foot high.

The worst part of the walk was between Rowardennan and Inversnaid when we seemed to be walking on tree roots for miles on end. This was very sore on the ankles.

Good luck with your walk.



-------------
Lobey.


01/4/2011 at 2:41pm
 Location: St Andrews
 Outfit: Hartford L & Sterling Europa
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Hi Davidetm,

We(husband,me and dog)walked the WHW last year. We had many concerns when we were planning our trip (sheep, traffic, dog being too tired etc). We decided to break our trip up and completed the first two days the weekend before. We walked from Milgnavie to Drymen with the dog on Day 1 then we went back to Glasgow stayed with my parents and left the dog with them for Day 2 while we walked from Drymen to Rowardennan. The weekend after we started from Rowardennan all the way through to Fort William but we planned a short walk in the middle of the week to give the dog a rest (7 miles for us but she would have done at least 14 that day the time she ran backwards and forwards).

The only problem that we encountered was on the section from Inverarnan to Crainlarich it was an extremely hot day although we were carrying water there was no water for the dog to paddle in and we had to poor water over her to keep her cool so it is worth carrying that bit extra. There are also sheep on this section but we put the dog on the lead and there was no problems.

Also worth noting in this area is that the citylink buses depending on driver will not allow dogs onto the buses so you will have to get the train back to Glasgow.

We had no problems with the dog in our three man tent she sleeps in between us and we have cut down an old foam roll mat to keep her off the ground she also has an old sleeping bag that we open up and cover her with on cold nights. If she gets too hot then she will kick it off.

It is also worth going to your local vets and picking up their recommended tick treatment and the stuff from the supermarket is not waterproof and I certainly wouldn't want to sleep beside a dog that may have ticks.

Have a fantastic time!


01/4/2011 at 2:49pm
 Location: St Andrews
 Outfit: Hartford L & Sterling Europa
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Hi Davidetm,

We(husband,me and dog)walked the WHW last year. We had many concerns when we were planning our trip (sheep, traffic, dog being too tired etc). We decided to break our trip up and completed the first two days the weekend before. We walked from Milgnavie to Drymen with the dog on Day 1 then we went back to Glasgow stayed with my parents and left the dog with them for Day 2 while we walked from Drymen to Rowardennan. The weekend after we started from Rowardennan all the way through to Fort William but we planned a short walk in the middle of the week to give the dog a rest (7 miles for us but she would have done at least 14 that day the time she ran backwards and forwards).

The only problem that we encountered was on the section from Inverarnan to Crainlarich it was an extremely hot day although we were carrying water there was no water for the dog to paddle in and we had to poor water over her to keep her cool so it is worth carrying that bit extra. There are also sheep on this section but we put the dog on the lead and there was no problems.

Also worth noting in this area is that the citylink buses depending on driver will not allow dogs onto the buses so you will have to get the train back to Glasgow.

We had no problems with the dog in our three man tent she sleeps in between us and we have cut down an old foam roll mat to keep her off the ground she also has an old sleeping bag that we open up and cover her with on cold nights. If she gets too hot then she will kick it off.

It is also worth going to your local vets and picking up their recommended tick treatment and the stuff from the supermarket is not waterproof and I certainly wouldn't want to sleep beside a dog that may have ticks.

Have a fantastic time!



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