Hiking with a dog: distance, heat, water and trail manners

Fitness matters more than breed, but a rough starting point: a healthy adult medium-sized dog that walks daily can manage 10–15km on moderate terrain. Short-nosed breeds, very small dogs, puppies and older dogs need far less.

Puppies are the common mistake. Their growth plates are still open, and long or repetitive walks on hard ground can cause lasting joint problems. Build distance gradually over months, not weekends, and let a puppy set the pace.

Dogs shed heat mainly by panting, which becomes inefficient in humid conditions. Above roughly 20°C / 68°F, shorten the walk and pick shaded routes. Above 25°C / 77°F, go at dawn or skip it.

Test the ground with the back of your hand: if you cannot hold it there for seven seconds, it is too hot for pads. Dark rock and gravel hold heat long after the air has cooled.

Plan on roughly 100ml of water per 5kg of dog per hour of active walking, more in heat. Carry it: streams may be dry, stagnant, or carry parasites and algae that make dogs seriously ill.

A collapsible bowl weighs nothing and means the dog actually drinks. Offer water at every stop rather than waiting for signs of thirst.

Rough rock, scree and hot ground all abrade pads. Check between the toes for grit and cuts at every break. Boots help on genuinely sharp terrain but need their own break-in period, exactly like human boots.

Run your hands over the whole dog before getting in the car — ears, armpits, groin and between toes are where ticks attach. Removing one within a day dramatically reduces disease risk.

Leads near livestock, always — a dog that has never chased a sheep can still start. Step off the path for horses and let them pass wide. Recall your dog to you when other walkers approach, rather than assuming they are comfortable.

Bag waste and carry it out. Bags left at trailheads and hanging in trees are the single most common reason land managers restrict dog access.