Would this be cruel?

mountainofdebt

Not your usual doggy question!

I'm taking part in the London 2 Brighton challenge next year which is basically a walk of about 65miles and as part of my preparation OH was going to take me on a 55 mile walk.

Now he was talking about taking mutt along with us but given the distance we're taking at least a 24 hours of walking and I think that that's too much -even for a beagle.

If we did take him then we'd obviously take food for him but it is feasible? The alternative would have to be kennels as we would have no-one to look after him otherwise and OH thinks mutt would hate this more.

We have taken him on a 24 mile walk before and he was ok with that -although we did have a very quiet night !

elsien

What would your plan B entail if he conked out halfway through and refused to move or did himself some sort of mischief and couldn't walk any further? I suppose it's like people, you have to work up to it otherwise you injure yourself. I'm not sure it'd be much different for dogs, so what's his usual exercise routine?

Person_one

I wouldn't.

He can't tell you if he gets sore, or tired, or fed up. You wouldn't know until it became very obvious, which is too late.

He'll most likely be absolutely fine in kennels, most dogs are if you find a good one.

mountainofdebt

elsien wrote: »

What would your plan B entail if he conked out halfway through and refused to move or did himself some sort of mischief and couldn't walk any further?

good point elsien - hadn't thought of that.

The only thing I would say is that the route OH has in mind would be fairly near civilisation and its close to home so if that situation did arise (with me or the mutt lol!) then we could get home relatively easy

I must admit I'm erring on the side of putting him in kennels -whilst I know the mutt enjoys a long walk, I think 55 miles is a tad too long

krlyr

What about a doggy pushchair or trailer for part of the journey?

calicocat

krlyr wrote: »

What about a doggy pushchair or trailer for part of the journey?

This is what I was going to suggest too.

Billie-S

I wouldn't do it.

Pi_the_dog

Any of the dogs I've had have been able to out-walk me 10 times over. If you have a training plan in place for yourself (you aren't just going to walk 55 miles in one go without doing any training I assume?) then Mutt will be building up to it with you and will find it a doddle I am sure. As you point out, you are as likely to suffer a mishap as your dog so a Plan B would be required anyway. I think it sounds like a fab opportunity to spend a wonderful time with Mutt. If you decide to take him with you please do let us know how you get on won't you?

Spirit_2

I would not do such a long walk if he is not used to it or has not built up to it.

Our dog has frequent long walks in woodland and countryside. He is 8 now fit and happy, in good shape with no sign of arthritis.

A couple of years ago OH and DD took him on a family boxingday shoot. He had a very happy six hour plus walk much of it off the lead .

He stiffened up over the next few days needing a vets assessment and subsequently joint supplements in his diet. We were very worried about what this had done. Fortunately no lasting effects. It was just too much and his normal regime had not prepared him for this day out.

zaksmum

How old is he? I think it's way too long a walk even for a young dog.

Renoir77

Have you asked your vet ? He knows your dog and what it's capable of. For me as much as I dislike putting dogs in kennels I would do that. I would have more concern for the wear and tear on his joints and muscles and as others have said if something goes wrong with him he can't really tell unless you can see it. Dogs like to walk rest and play ....all walk and no rest is not for my dog.