Snowshoeing with dogs

Susanne: I have loved the mountains all my life. Since 2006 dogs have been my constant companions. All my dogs, especially Diego and Tessi, loved snow. Maybe because of its versatility – sometimes hard, sometimes soft, sometimes dry, sometimes liquid. So it made sense to explore the mountains with them in winter. We’re talking about real snow, not just the few flakes that fall in Franconia and the Oberpfalz.

Susanne: Until a few years ago, I used to go skiing with my mom for a few days every year – skiing during the day and long walks with my dogs Diego and Tessi before and after, so we had very active and enjoyable days. In the evening we were all happy and tired, with that special smell of snow in our hair and fur.

The winter trails were usually covered quickly, and there were tempting tracks and branches off the beaten path – a strenuous affair without snowshoes!

Tired and happy, we returned to the hotel. That day was the beginning of my passion for snowshoeing. We climbed a little over 500 meters of altitude – the desire was awakened!

See above, rules of behavior don’t hurt . In the meantime, this has become a good solution for us when free running is not possible – be it mountain or snowshoe hiking. However, I always carry a short leash with me.

Susanne: Even on longer snowshoe hikes, I always carry the usual hiking equipment for the dog: water, a bowl, a few dog biscuits as a reward, a snack or an extended snack for longer hikes, and the first aid kit for humans and dogs is always with me anyway.

Muzzles are usually required for gondolas or public transportation, and a comfortable harness that the dog cannot slip out of is just as practical, whether in a chairlift or on steep rocky steps when the dog needs a helping hand. The “dog with a handle” has often proven its worth – for example, when a high-spirited furry friend is stuck in deep snow .

Depending on the temperature and wind, the furry nose gets its winter coat. So far, my furry friends don’t have a long, thick coat, but enough undercoat to be able to walk without a coat when the temperature is comfortable.

I have made my own insulated picnic blanket with a waterproof underside that I take with me when I stay overnight in a mountain hut. If the dog is exhausted or cold, you have to warm him up and stop the tour.

Since 2021, I’ve had a new dog by my side – Carlie, a one-year-old shelter dog, a cross between a German Shepherd, a Ridgeback and a Border Collie. Full of energy and eager to move, she has taken the place of Elliot, who is now too old for long walks.

Elmar: Just like the dog – I took the photo on a ski tour from Gargellen to the Vergaldner Schneeberg in March 2019.

Susanne: Yes, we’ve learned from experience: in April 2023 at an altitude of over 2000 meters in the Silvretta in bright sunshine. If YOU as a human can’t get along without sunglasses because the sun is burning down and the snow is reflecting – think of your dog!

Your four-legged friend won’t be able to see as clearly if his eyes are hurting. Snow blindness caused by prolonged and intense exposure to the sun can also lead to permanent damage in dogs, including cataracts, irreparable damage to the cornea and retina, and in the worst cases, blindness.

But now I plan my own trours or have a guide (Dirk) at my side who is even better at it than I am and knows what my wife and dog can and want. Not every route is suitable for every dog (and every person). It’s important that the route is suitable for everyone!

We haven’t ventured into the high mountains yet, firstly because you (we ) can’t climb that many meters with snowshoes, and secondly because the dog has to work hard in the deep snow. When I’m planning a tour, I try to avoid ski slopes as much as possible, and I’m careful even on ski trails. I keep my distance and keep the dog with me – the more people, the shorter the leash.

Susanne: I understand your concerns. I am indeed very careful when choosing my hiking areas. For example, we hiked from the Bielerhöhe to the Hennekopf, on the route we are clearly not in a wildlife rest area and in an area heavily frequented by ski tourers – and – I always make sure that my dog stays in my tracks and sticks to the rules.

Elmar: No, the main reason is that I have no experience in dealing with dogs. I don’t have the routine and I’m not sure whether I could act correctly in an unforeseen situation.