Are you and your dog outdoor enthusiasts? If it’s the case, you may want to take him with you on your next adventure. With the right training, equipment, and preparation, he can be suitable to enjoy practically any sport with you. For climbers, crag dogs are definitely awesome companions. But what are they exactly and what they do? Here’s my answer!
What Is A Crag Dog?
A crag dog is the perfect four-legged partner for ascending mountains. “Crag” is the name that’s used for an outdoor steep, rugged cliff or rock face on which climbing can be performed. Thus, crag dogs are pets that are prepared, trained, and equipped to keep company and assist climbers on adventures!
Now, you’re probably stoked about the idea of climbing and rappelling with your dog. However, you still have many things to understand before you can enjoy this type of activity together.
You must make sure your buddy is suitable for this sport, gear up properly, and teach him basic obedience skills to prepare him for his first cliff ascent. At the end of your reading, you will have all the information you need to transform him into an excellent crag dog!
Climbing & Rappelling With Your Dog!
If your pooch is active and adventurous, it’s very difficult to leave him at home when you go out on adventures. Unfortunately for climbers, ascending cliffs isn’t the most dog-friendly sport.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t mean you have to let your buddy get bored in your house all day long every time you head out for another mountaineering adventure. In fact, you can condition him for climbing and rappelling if you’re ready to put in some time and energy!
Can Dogs Rock Climb?
Depending on your animal’s climbing skills and the route classification (level of difficulty), he may be able to find his way up the cliff. Even if some four-legged athletes ascend mountains as well as humans, most crag dogs don’t actually climb. They usually stay at the base of the steep rock face, or they get rappel up and down by their owner.
I’ve found this impressive video of Biscuit, an awesome crag dog!
What Are The Best Dog Breeds For Climbing & Rappelling?
Some types of four-legged companions are much more likely to be good crag dogs. Their temperament, physical conditions, trainability, and many other elements will determine if they can keep you company on climbing adventures.
An animal that’s healthy, active, calm, agile, and at ease with heights would be ideal to ascend mountains and cliffs. Your dog should also be well-trained and properly socialized to enjoy this type of outdoor activity.
If you don’t have any pets or you simply want to know if your buddy is among the best crag dogs, there’s not a lot of information out there. Most resources I’ve looked at made a list of the most appropriate breeds for hiking and climbing.
Nonetheless, those two sports are very different. Thus, let me share with you some of the best dog breeds to bring along on your mountaineering trips!
Top 10 Crag/Climbing Dogs!
- Great Pyrenees.
- Catahoula Leopard Dogs.
- Labrador Retrievers.
- Border Collies.
- Jack Russell Terriers.
- Bernese Mountain Dogs.
- Australian Shepherds.
- Rhodesian Ridgeback.
- Siberian Huskies.
- Australian Cattle Dogs.
If your buddy hasn’t made the cut, don’t worry. There are plenty of other breeds that can be great adventure partners. In fact, pretty much any dog can lay down at the base of a route while you climb. As long as your companion is in good shape, obedient, friendly, and not too reactive, everything should be alright!
How To Train A Crag Dog?
Once you’ve found the perfect companion to rock climb with you, it’s time to prepare him for this activity. Proper socialization with other pets, strangers, and wild animals is the first step to eventually take your dog to the crag. He must have good manners and be friendly with other people, dogs, and kids to avoid problems down the cliff while you’re climbing.
Then, your mountaineering partner should also be very well-trained to ensure you’ve control over him on your adventures. Monitoring him all the time won’t be fun for you and is simply not safe to take an untrained dog in the great outdoors.
If your companion doesn’t respond reliably to basic commands such as “Sit”, “Stay”, or “Down”, he’s probably not ready to ascend cliffs and mountains with you. Another important skill he must master the “recall” because you never know what can happen at the crag.
For everyone’s safety, you should also train your dog to go to a certain place. The best way to do so is by using the voice cue “On Your Bed” (or anything else similar) to make him lay down somewhere safe. This command will keep him protected from potential dangers such as falling rocks or climbing ropes.
Why Not Climbing & Rappelling With An Untrained Dog?
Without basic obedience skills and good manners, your buddy is simply not ready to hang out at the crag. He won’t be pleasant for you to manage when you need to concentrate your energy on the cliff.
If you can’t always keep an eye on your furry adventure partner, he must be able to interact with others properly and to control himself. Otherwise, it’s not safe for him to stay down the rock face without any supervision.
Furthermore, it’s not the responsibility of other climbers to supervise your dog while you’re busy. That’s why crag dogs must be extremely well-trained, obedient, and independent to be good mountaineering companions!
The Ultimate Crag Dog Would Have The Following…
Skills:
- Reliable Recall.
- Fundamental Obedience Training.
- Good Manners.
- Self-Control.
- Respond To Commands. (Giving By You & Other Climbers)
Traits:
- Calm & Friendly Temperament.
- Independent Enough To Be Away From You For Relatively Long Periods.
- Don’t Be Afraid Of Heights.
How To Rappel With Your Dog?
If you want to transport your climbing companion up and down steep mountains or rocks, you will have to perform belaying or tandem rappelling. To descend a vertical cliff with your crag dog, he must have a safe and comfortable harness. You also need to make sure he’s at ease with extended lifting and not scared of being attached in the air at high altitudes.
Once your buddy is ready, rappelling with him is the same thing you would do with another person. The first step is to secure him on your harness, on the belay device, or anywhere else it’s safe. After that, you can rappel as you normally do when you’re alone.
What About Crag Dog Gear?
Another part of the climbing preparation is to get the right equipment. If you already have all the gear to enjoy this sport by yourself, you’re almost all set.
Fortunately, your dog only needs an appropriate harness, something to drink/eat from, and somewhere comfortable to rest. Apart from the essentials, you can also invest in optional accessories to make his experience more safe and enjoyable.
Now let me share with you all the stuff you might need on mountaineering trips with your pooch. To save you some time, I’ve also put my favorite products in parentheses!
List Of Dog Gear For Climbing & Rappelling:
- Water & Food.
- Leash & Collar.
- Bed/Mat/Blanket. (ChuckIt! Travel Bed)
- Crag Dog Harness. (Ruffwear Doubleback)
- Portable Dog Bowl. (Prima Pets Collapsible Bowl)
- Dog Booties (Ruffwear Grip Trex) or Paw Protection Wax. (Musher’s Secret)
- Dog Backpack. (Ruffwear Approach Pack)
- Canine First Aid Kit. (RC Pet First Aid Kit)
- Poop Bags.
Why Do Many People Won’t Recommend Taking Your Dog At The Crag?
I’ve read a ton of comments on climbing forums where people share their bad experiences with dogs. Of course, ascending cliffs isn’t the ideal activity for your four-legged companion.
Managing him on mountaineering adventures can be more difficult and less fun than you may think. However, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. With the right gear and proper preparation, climbing/rappelling can be pleasant and allow your dog to explore the great outdoors alongside you.
Make Sure Your Climbing Spot Is Dog-Friendly!
Another important precaution is to make sure you read the rules of the area or park you plan to go with your pooch. Most national parks in the US have regulations about pets or simply don’t allow them on their site. Thus, your crag dog may not be welcome or must be leashed all the time in certain climbing spots!
Last Thoughts About Climbing & Rappelling With Your Crag Dog!
Finally, there are many things to know before heading out on mountaineering trips with your buddy. Once you’ve checked if he’s suitable to climb and rappel with you, it’s time for conditioning. Preparation is essential for him to enjoy this type of outdoor sport. You may have a lot of training to do and some gear to purchase.
Now that you know what a crag dog is, it would be awesome to have one for yourself. I’m sure you’ve what you need to find and train the perfect four-legged climbing partner.
To get started, I highly recommend you to go somewhere as safe, familiar, and calm as possible. It’s the best way to make your first experience together as enjoyable as possible. Then, your dog will slowly improve his skills and get used to this type of activity. I hope to see you both at the crag next time I will be on my way up to the summit of another cliff!
Take Care & Climb On!
