Skip to main content

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Can toy dog breeds go hiking and camping? Read this before leaving yours at home

If hitting your local hiking trail and camping in the great outdoors sound like your idea of a good time, you’re probably also a dog person. But it may come as a surprise to learn that toy dog breeds love spending time outdoors just as much as their larger cousins. Unfortunately, toy breeds have little legs, and they aren’t built for endurance the same way certain breeds (for example, Labrador retrievers) are. However, that doesn’t mean you need to hire a pet sitter or board your toy breed when you go for a hike. Here’s what you need to know, and a few of our favorite tips for hiking and camping with small dogs.

A man wearing sunglasses crouches on a hiking trail with a small brown dog.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Can small dogs hike long distances?

If your typical hike covers several miles of trails, you may be wondering if your small dog can keep up with you. Guess what? Experts say that your tiny fur baby can walk as far as 5-10 miles a day, even over rough terrain. (For large breeds, the distance extends to about 10-15 miles.) As a general rule, your puppy can safely walk for five minutes per month of age until he reaches one year. That being said, your dog’s ability to hike long-distance depends on a variety of factors, such as:

  • Your dog’s general wellbeing
  • Your dog’s experience with hiking
  • The climate where you hike (terrain, heat, inclement weather)

We recommend speaking with your veterinarian before taking your dog on a hike. Some breeds, like pugs and French bulldogs, are brachycephalic (the technical term for having a short, wide snout), meaning they’re more likely than other breeds to suffer from heatstroke and breathing difficulties. Additionally, low-slung breeds like dachshunds are prone to back problems and tend to launch themselves off high perches like tiny, four-legged missiles, so they’re not well-suited to long hikes. However, you may still be able to take your pooch hiking with you if you’re willing to carry him along for the ride in a backpack.

How to keep your small dog safe on a hike

Your vet has given your dog the all-clear, and you’re determined to hit the nearest trail. Not so fast. Before you set off on a hike with your pup, you’ll want to learn a few safety guidelines first.

A man and a woman sit together on a mountain with a small brown dog between them.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

1. Make sure your pup is well-trained

Even if you plan on keeping Fido in a hiking backpack for the bulk of your hike, you’ll still want him to obey your commands. Your pup should know how to follow basic commands, such as “sit” and “come,” before you take him on your next adventure. Just to be on the safe side, we recommend keeping your dog on a leash while he isn’t being carried.

2. Build up your dog’s stamina

Just like you probably didn’t start by hiking Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park, reputed to be one of the most dangerous in the country, your little pup needs time to build up his endurance. Stick to dog-friendly trails (which you can find on Bring Fido), and work your way up from short walks around the neighborhood to your favorite local trail.

3. Be prepared

Whether you plan on heading home at the end of the day or you’ve packed your camping gear, you’ll want to make sure your pooch has everything he needs to stay safe and comfortable. Bring plenty of food and water, any medications you and your dog may need, sun protection, and an extra blanket or two. Remember, even the desert can get cold at night during the summer months. (Also, please be respectful of the environment, not to mention your fellow hikers, and bring poop collection bags with you. Just because your pup is outside does not mean the hiking trail is his new bathroom.)

4. Choose the best time to hit the trails

Hikers and campers know from experience that mountainous trails are much cooler than low-lying areas in summer. Sunny days are especially dangerous for dogs. Once the temperature climbs to 80 degrees or higher, your dog may be in danger of suffering from heatstroke if local humidity levels reach 90 percent. Stick to cooler trails during the summer months, and steer clear of the mountains during the winter to ensure that your pup is comfortable year-round.

5. Bring a kennel for camping trips

If you plan on camping out, you’ll want to make sure your pup doesn’t run off during the night. Unless you’re sleeping in an RV or other vehicle, a dog kennel is essential. Not only will kenneling your dog at night keep him from escaping your tent during bathroom breaks, but it will also keep him safe from curious wildlife.

A man holding a chihuahua watches the sunset on top of a mountain.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

While taking your dog hiking and camping with you helps solidify your bond (and satisfy your dog’s need to spend time in nature), there are a few steps you’ll want to take before you set out on the trail. Consult your vet before hiking, make sure your pup has everything he needs, and don’t be afraid to cut your trip short if your dog shows signs of exhaustion or agitation. Getting in touch with nature is important, but your dog’s health and happiness mean more.

Editors' Recommendations

Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
Science says dogs cry tears of happiness when reunited with their humans
New study shows dogs cry happy tears when reunited with pet parents
A man hugs a Golden Retriever, facing away from the camera

There are so many ways to tell whether a dog is happy. We all know to look for a wagging tail, but there are countless clues hidden in a dog's body language to let you know how they feel. But for the first time ever, Japanese researchers have confirmed that dogs show emotion in another way: by crying.
While the image of a crying dog can be enough to bring a person to tears themselves, empathetic people can rest assured--there are no sad dogs here. In fact, scientists recently discovered that dogs cry happy tears when reunited with their pet parents. Now that is a sign of true love!

Scientists wanted to explore whether tear reactions are similar in dogs and people
Azabu University professor Takefumi Kikusui was first inspired to discover the role of tear production in dogs while watching one of his Standard Poodles nursing her puppies. He noticed that she appeared to tear up while nursing, and the professor hypothesized that dogs can experience happy tears, too. After a bit of research, this pet parent and the professor found zero studies focusing on emotional tear production in animals.

Read more
Video: Dog befriends bike thief (or why golden retrievers shouldn’t be guard dogs)
This is all the proof we need that golden retrievers make bad guard dogs
A sweet golden retriever puppy lies on the grass

The golden retrievers are at it again. Well known for being playful and goofy, these beasties lack one dog-defining characteristic: a healthy dose of stranger danger. In the mind of a golden, there's no such thing — only a new friend waiting to happen. This viral video takes that flaw to its natural conclusion when a beautiful goldie proudly invites a bike thief into his garage.

The video is a snippet from a broadcast and is entitled "Guard dog or accomplice?" on TikTok. The newscasters explain that a $1,000 e-bike was stolen out of a garage, and we all get to witness the scene. A sweet pup goes right up to the presumed thief and demands pets and belly rubs. The bike thief happily obliges and looks a little confused, perhaps unsure if he should stick to his original plan after meeting such a delightful pooch.

Read more
Video: Adorable dog thinks the TV wants to play fetch
This is why dogs love the game fetch so much
Beautiful couple watching television at home with their dog on sofa

Some pups just can't ever get enough playtime and will take every opportunity to chase a ball, even a virtual one. Videos of cats and dogs watching TV frequently catch our attention because they remind us how much more advanced our animals are than we really understand. Unlike us, though, this doggo doesn't quite get that he can't jump into the action on the screen, sadly for him. Watch this video of a dog playing fetch, or at least attempting to.

The video opens with a shot of a person throwing a football in a yard on the TV. The player tosses the ball, and it goes offscreen as we pan to a beloved dog watching it excitedly. He tries to follow the football, not realizing that it exists in a completely separate time and place. He looks back and forth, seeming to question his pet parent about the laws of physics, not understanding where the chaseable football went. It ends with the sound of his delighted person laughing in the background. The caption sums it up perfectly with: Huh? Mom, where’d it go?

Read more