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Your dog and skiing

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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
I had a vibe this thread had been made, but when I searched it was page after page of shitty for sale thread for B-Dog jackets and other miscellaneous Inspired threads.

I am getting a dog. I am finally getting one after 18 years of near petlessness. I am moving into my Dad's and we agreed a third fella in the house would be the perfect solution.

Winter companionship for this dog would be:

1. Being my best fucking friend because I am tragically lonesome.
2. Bootpacking with me mostly in the Franconia area
3. Accompanying my Dad on his extended Nordic trips (yeah I don't like Nordic skiers either)




In the rest of the year he would be joining my Dad or myself on any number of outdoor outings. I am a long distance runner, and my father an aspiring triathlete.

Essentially this dog is going to get his fair share of activity, trust me. While the loving snow element is stressed, I don't want my puppy keeling over in the summer because he has a think, profuse double coat. I found a good amount of information, with my jumping off point being an Unofficial Network


1. St. Bernard
2. Bernese Mountain Dog
3. Great Pyrenees
4. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
5. Husky
6. Icelandic Sheepdog
7. Entlebucher Sennehund
8. Karalachan fucking Bear Dog
10. Maremma Sheepdog

A lot of these dogs we found on the extra large side of pups, which is something I may not be ready for. Narrowed and expanded the field to include some mix breeds

1. Bernese Mountain Dog
2. Icelandic Sheepdog
3. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
4. Border Collie
5. Mixes of any of the above?????

What I am now asking for and getting to the crux of this thread.

Does anyone own or having any substantial opinions/anecdotes on these dogs? I looked all over the internet but sometimes this is the community I trust the most. Sometimes.

Also, this doesn't mean I would be completely against a mutt from the shelter, because I just want to be loved and love a puppy back. But I cannot be dragging my retriever or puggle through the snow and across fields and hills and blah blah blah, he'll hate me ): ): and I just want to be loved.

TL;DR

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR DOG THAT LOVES SNOW












Oh and what puppy thread would be complete without puppies???

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12 years ago
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werd.
Posts: 967 - Karma: 4,330
A St. Bernard would be pretty badass. Plus if you get it as a puppy it will be cute as fuck. Plus they're smart and loyal, or so I've heard. My stepmoms uncle had one and it was a beast.
12 years ago
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Calb3rt
Posts: 6005 - Karma: 2,202
i have a Siberian husky and she is a wonderful outdoor dog.  She loves going on hikes and has spent a lot of time in the woods and mountains.  She is very smart and can be extremely stubborn if she wants to be and is also more on the alpha side.

one of my friends works with karelian bear dogs and they are amazing dogs too. they are really friendly, smart , loyal, and keep bears away. they are becoming a really popular breed around here.
12 years ago
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tcurle
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 5,336
Get a lab
12 years ago
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GrahamGould
Posts: 713 - Karma: 2,439
I have a chocolate lab, and its the sickest dog ever! I have taken it on a lot of the spring tours I do (I try not to take her too much in the winter, because I dont have a beacon for my dog) and she pretty much runs the entire tour twice. I dont even know where this energy comes from, because whenever shes stuck at home, shes super chill. Labs are the perfect mountain dogs, you should deffinately get one of those.
12 years ago
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Algebra
Posts: 5215 - Karma: 1,678
yeah no need for a dog just get a meth lab
12 years ago
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Noha
Posts: 1281 - Karma: 2,684
+k for dog lovers.
Love my Cocker Spaniels
12 years ago
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jermhy
Posts: 119 - Karma: 619
Great Pyrenees are sick as fuck. i've wanted one since i was like 5
12 years ago
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Calb3rt
Posts: 6005 - Karma: 2,202
that is a big can of worms right there.
12 years ago
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,018
huskies are a no brainer if you want it to enjoy the snow
12 years ago
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,102
the ultimate sleeper: a corgi.

corgis kill it on the uphill portion of your backcountry excursion. mine is always 50-100 yards ahead. the only down side is that your descents generally look like this:

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12 years ago
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SSchepkowski
Posts: 168 - Karma: 182
merino sheep dog, I have one, beast Loyal, cute, and loves snow! very protective though, wont bite anyone if they're not doing anything but probably will bark. very very friendly.
12 years ago
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tcurle
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 5,336
Your dog is famous
12 years ago
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_Garagely_
Posts: 1948 - Karma: 3,259
I had a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and it went literally everywhere not matter what the condition. He never got tired or whiny either. But Chesapeakes can pretty stubborn and hard to train.
12 years ago
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,966
If you get a short haired dog it will stay cool in the summer but get cold in the winter/snow which can be fixed with a jacket and boots, but if you get a long haired dog it will stay warm enough on it's own in the winter but get very hot in the summer especially if you take it on distance runs.

I have a Lab mix that we got from a service dog center that adopts out dogs that don't make the cut (freedom service dogs). He has a really short coat (he is practically bald on his chest) and is athletically built and skinny. He hates snow, but if I bundle him up in an old vest he is fine romping around in the snow. The farthest I have ran with him is a easy paced six miles and he did fine. So overall just go to multiple places to look for dogs and try to find one that fits your criteria and you can connect with. Most places even offer a foster program where you can do a "trial run" of a certain dog and foster them for a week or so to see if it is the right dog for you.
12 years ago
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WVskiing
Posts: 3007 - Karma: 1,949
Go for a lab or German shepard
12 years ago
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
I think a great pyrnese and st bernard would be too heavy to keep up skiing. A smaller bernese would be OK, but they have a lot of joint problem, mine torn his ACL twice :( Personally, I plan on getting an Alaskan Malimute for the slopes
12 years ago
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Idontgivea
Posts: 21 - Karma: 38
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. Sickest dogs ever.
12 years ago
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Boarder Collie, super fit, smaller dog so they live longer. Super strong, fast and smart.
12 years ago
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SamtheEagle
Posts: 1658 - Karma: 713
I came in to suggest a malimute.
12 years ago
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ttave514
Posts: 257 - Karma: 1,662
Yeah go for the one you like the most. Just dont ever get a chihuahua cuz they look like rats and you'll accidentally sit/step on it
12 years ago
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
Karma was rewarded to those who have helped! This is just the first step, so I can take what I have learned to the breeders and such (:

I think I have narrowed/expanded the field.

1. Bernese
2. Sheep Dog
3. Husky
4. Swissy
5. Mixes of any of the four????

I cannot sustain the collie, I have only about two acres ): even if they are the crazy energetic dog everyone raves about
12 years ago
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,102
i wouldn't ever discount golden retrievers either man. my girlfriend's parents' dog is the best mountain dog i have ever been around and he's only 2. carries his own gear, never strays too far, and loves hiking whether there's a foot of pow or no snow. photo sample #2:

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12 years ago
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FreeskierBh
Posts: 188 - Karma: 187
I dont think its necessary to get a mountain dog per say.
I got a dog two years ago for this exact reason a backcountry partner for my girlfriend and I.
this is kesey shes a goldendoodle an an awesome dog!
she skied 37 days!
any dog 50+ dog will be stoked to go out when ever you want

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12 years ago
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FreeskierBh
Posts: 188 - Karma: 187
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12 years ago
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lizard.stuff
Posts: 900 - Karma: 1,284
I have a Tibetan mastiff and he is a great dog! He has long hair, but not an under coat so he stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter. He is super energetic when you want him to be, and he is probably the coolest looking dog ever (I'm on mobile so I can't embed pics.) The only downside is when you aren't home he is pretty destructive, he barks at the sound of anything and you have to get him around a lot of other dogs when he is a puppy, something we didn't do so now he doesn't like other dogs very much.
12 years ago
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gravel
Posts: 5524 - Karma: 42,373
I second Logan and urge you to consider a Golden. I have two and they're awesome troopers in and out of the snow, extremely loyal,etc. Also, you don't have to worry about that super hot during the summer, just get them shaved/their hair cut short, that's what we do to ours every summer.
12 years ago
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7565 - Karma: 12,525
Just a heads up, bigger dogs tend to die earlier than smaller dogs. Also, look into a dog and look up on its possible maladies that you may end up encountering later on as it gets older.

Labs are a safe bet as well. Any dog can be a good mountain dog as long as you start early, train it well, and its not too small! I have a Vizsla which is a Hungarian pointer and has very short hair. However, she is one of the most hearty and athletic dogs I have ever met. She runs 5-10 miles a day and walks three as well. Shes 11 now, but still does it. She LOVES snow as well. My point is, any dog will do as long as you give it exercise, train it well, and love it.
12 years ago
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gusestomp
Posts: 1377 - Karma: 746
I have a purebread Border Collie, and literally she is the cutest most loveable pet ever. Hands down.

To be honest mine is fully grown and isn't that big, maybe 2 feet tall at the most?

Just, really take into getting a rescue border collie, they're awesome.
12 years ago
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5713 - Karma: 20,653
Not at all recommending this because a Nordic trip would fucking kill it hahaha

But I have two dachshunds and they absolutely love the snow.
12 years ago
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84891jnf92048
Posts: 11552 - Karma: 2,550
Get a Tibetan Mastiff.

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I don't know if they're good in snow or like to hike or anything but they're huge and furry and from Tibet so I'm sure they're fine.
12 years ago
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Hodor
Posts: 503 - Karma: 2,578
As many have said, you can never go wrong with a lab. They are calm indoors, but have tons of energy outside. They are very well tempered and always happy, are good with kids/ other animals, and of course are nice to look at.

Another awesome breed is australian shepherds. They are SUPER smart and have tons of energy so they are a great bc dog.

I have a Lab at home that had 6 puppies this spring. Il share pictures of them just so you all can get another dose of puppy. Click for larger imageClick for larger imageClick for larger imageClick for larger imageClick for larger image
12 years ago
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Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
I walked a Tibetan Mastiff a few times when I was in Tibet, and they are sick, huge though, and if you happen to encounter any yaks, the mastiff will try and chase them down, this can lead to unnerving yak herd face-offs.
12 years ago
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Stose
Posts: 7109 - Karma: 4,123
Siberian huskies kill it in the snow. Mine was always most happy when he got to run around in the snow so it seems like it would be perfect for you.
12 years ago
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BNik
Posts: 543 - Karma: 268
You have some expensive tastes in dogs! Id owned a newfoundland, my roomies ex just kinda left it on us and the fucker loved snow but didnt care to much to go AT on a pass. But I hope youre dad is covering alot of the expenses, food is what got us being 21 and trying to afford that shit is rough. But you got some soild choices lined up for dogs.
12 years ago
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JAHBRADOR
Posts: 3139 - Karma: 18,583
Is that what you say to girls at the bar?


12 years ago
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JAHBRADOR
Posts: 3139 - Karma: 18,583
but this dog doe..

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12 years ago
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Balbertt
Posts: 1585 - Karma: 4,723
only problem with pure bred goldens is their hips/back legs are really bad. Mine has had two leg surgeries, and not because of a accident.
12 years ago
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
Most of these big dogs are going to develop hip dysplasia, it is just what happens.

I do love goldens, I really do. But my Dad and I couldn't get one because of some personal reasons in our family
12 years ago
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byubound
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 9,873
Get an Australian shepherd. They love the snow, and have tons of energy.
12 years ago
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
this.

but only if you have a large yard. they can't be left indoors.
12 years ago
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Alyon
Posts: 161 - Karma: 166
Australian shepard x border collie = the best dog
12 years ago
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YourMomsCouch
Posts: 311 - Karma: 4,039
I have a Golden retriever, she's fucking stupid as hell, but she's always happy and loves being around me. Also she fucking loves winter
12 years ago
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Balbertt
Posts: 1585 - Karma: 4,723
Goldens are the best. They are always stoked to see people. Such chill dogs, but can be playful as hell when they want to be.
12 years ago
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Bloody*Dimez*
Posts: 466 - Karma: 150
I have a Brittany Spaniel and he loves to be in the snow and he is the most loyal dog. He literally follows me and my dad and brother around every where.

Super fun dog to play with and just be with
12 years ago
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srekem
Posts: 42 - Karma: 1,133
Since no one mentioned Bernese mountain dogs yet, I will express my opinion on them. I've had 3, each one the mother of the last, and we breed our current 5 y.o. dog once every year or two.

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As far as the breed goes, they're pretty awesome dogs, and they love to go on hikes and whatnot. I'm sure they're be very happy going for a run. However, they can be lazy. So moderation might be a good technique as well. And they LOVE being with people, they would even rather go for a ride in the car with you for a couple minutes than stay at home.

Of course this is just my experience, but I'd imagine most of the breed would share similar traits.

Hope this helped!
12 years ago
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mike_e
Posts: 2419 - Karma: 3,066
clifford? is that you?
12 years ago
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Splice.
Posts: 1381 - Karma: -192
I have a Border Terrier.

They're super adventurous, not to big, and are super fast too.

some of em aren't cute.

Mine is a white like border terrier and she's super cute.
12 years ago
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Brule.
Posts: 3972 - Karma: 6,595
I used to have a Black Labrador Retriever. His name was Salomon, my parents got him a year before I was born, and he had to get put down when I was in 7th grade because of a tumor on one side of his body. The tumor caused him to not walk right, puke phlegm everywhere, and made him lose a ton of weight. He was a fun dog, he would play around in the snow, but he would wander into neighboring yards.
12 years ago
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rylee.the.jedi
Posts: 410 - Karma: 368
My brothers has two huskies that pull him around on his longboard all summer but have no idea how they do in the snow. I have a golden retriever and they seriously are the most love able dogs ever. Like sometimes she won't leave me alone because she just is that loving, plus whenever I take her with me skiing she just loves the snow. So those would be my two picks.
12 years ago
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SamMcChesney
Posts: 2905 - Karma: 2,199
lab son. Labs are what I have grown up with my entire life and they are the best. German shepards are also awesome if you train them well!
12 years ago
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