OT-Biking with Dogs

[Lenusik]

the only dogs I've seen out biking (mind you, this is on roads) are in trailers. Just kid/baby trailers, with a dog in it instead of a child. See that quite a lot.

Or maybe they're just really hairy children...

I cannot stop laughing, this is so funny.
I am planning to have my hairy dog pull my hairly and I will ride along on my bike!

[Trekhawk]

Hey CC - check out the areas you MTB to make sure they dont have any rules regarding dogs. I know some National and State Park areas do not allow dogs.
Also be aware Roos and Dogs dont mix real well so if you mountain bike where there are a lot of Roos you will need to be careful. Roos can do major damage to dogs (I know my sister-in-law is a vet) and it can be pretty nasty.

Good luck with the pooch hunt.

[dakay]

I have a dalmatian. Dalmatians are coach dogs and used to run alongside or under coaches. Now we have road trials. See http://www.touchmoon.com/dotters/rd-field.html . Many people who don't have access to a horse bike with their dals to condition them for road trials.

I use a Springer like attachment on my mountain bike to exercise my dog on one of the rail to trails paths.

Kathy in Seattle

[emily_in_nc]

the only dogs I've seen out biking (mind you, this is on roads) are in trailers. Just kid/baby trailers, with a dog in it instead of a child. See that quite a lot.

I saw this tonight for the first time riding on a packed fire road. Way cool! Cute (young - 20s) guy, big trailer, big dog (lab?) taking a spin. My riding buddy and I were trying to estimate the weight he was pulling on this somewhat hilly ride. Lessee, 70 lbs for the dog? 20 lbs (or more??!) for the trailer. Tough!!! I can barely get up those hills just pulling the weight of me and my bike!

I did think that he was onto something if he were a single guy trying to meet girls. Dogs are chick magnets, and there were a lot of mountain biking gals out in pairs tonight. My friend and I sure gave him and his pooch plenty of attention when he rolled by going the other way - and I'm married!

Emily

[Dogmama]

You need to make sure your dog is fully mature before running him/her long distances. The constant pounding, especially on a hard surface, will cause problems with immature dogs.

Big dogs are often not fully mature until 18-24 months. Smaller dogs mature faster. Be sure to get an OK from your vet before you embark on any plans to bike with your dog.

Oh yeah, and as the collie owner said, some herding dogs don't run beside bikes very well. They are HERDING dogs - so they like to cut in front of you. Hopefully, they won't nip at your tires!

[crazycanuck]

Trekhawk-i thought about the places we ride off road & would hate for the funky dawg to get bitten by a tiger snake, red back or whatever else lurks in the Western Australia bush...

Thanks ladies for your posts & info. I spoke to a workmate who volunteers at one of the other dog rescue/rehoming places & she suggested we go and speak to them & they'll match us with a dog. It won't be for a few months due to moving house.

c