Which Hound Should Hike The AT With Me?

This blog entry is still a part of introducing myself and of my preparation for the Appalachian Trail in early 2024. I will move on to over-analyzed gear choices and what I’ve learned from shakedown hikes in short order. After deciding if I should hike the AT in the first place, which dog to take with me was the biggest decision.

Taking a dog on a thru-hike has so many rewards but also some drawbacks. Each individual must weigh what that means to them and to their own dog and make their decision. I have spent countless hours studying how to do this and think I am ready to make the right decision that works for the hounds, for me, and maybe even for the AT community as well.

Bracing For Controversy

While spending so much time researching all things Appalachian Trail, I noticed quickly that dogs and handguns elicited some of the strongest opinions from backpackers. Passions run high from both sides of the fence on these topics. So I swore I would never write anything on taking a dog or a handgun on the trail with me. It just seems like a no-win case whether I am pro or con on either topic. That said, I need blogging experience and researching the dog related topic has been a big deal for me, so here I go.

No matter the activity, I feel like a very small percentage of the participants color it disproportionately. Overall, I think people act responsibly in whatever arena you want to pick and have generally good intentions. Of course, there are those few that don’t consider others in their decision making and then bad things can happen. Us dog owners are no better or worse. I believe dogs should be allowed on the trails, even in GSMNP where they aren’t, but also believe they shouldn’t adversely affect the enjoyment of others. It felt necessary to say that.

Introducing The Dog Pack

There are three dogs at home, and they all are deserving of consideration. All three would love to trek with me in the way dogs do. They give it their all for their human, until they can’t. Talk about embracing the suck. As long as they are with their human, they are happy. Take one day at a time and live in the moment. That’s a dog. All three of the candidates below have those great dog characteristics. And all would provide me needed emotional support and companionship.

What follows isn’t about how to backpack a long-distance trail with a dog. There is so much content on that out here already. Nor is this whether they belong on the AT. That is an endless debate that I would tire of quickly. This is a just simplistic read about my hounds and myself and our best path forward.

Candidate Number One

Name: Sally
Age: 14 years
Breed: Beagle Basset Mix
Characteristics: Smart, Independent, Adventurous, Determined
Nicknames: Old Gal, Sal Dog, Evil Genius
Trail Name: Matriarch

Sally came to us from a local shelter at 9 months old. Three other families had already had her and chose not to keep her. As her fourth stop in such a short time, she had so many issues. With a great deal of patience though she became a much different dog by her first birthday. Kind of reminds me of a cowboy who works with the wildest mustang, but that horse becomes the best at the ranch. Evil Genius always seems to outsmart us and get what she wants, especially if it is related to food.

Matriarch gets her trail name from leading her dog pack. No matter which dogs come in and out of her life, she is alpha. When she came to our home, we already had two five-year-old beagle males, Snoopy and Linus, who tried to challenge her. They quickly figured out who was in charge. It is always so interesting to me to watch how the pack concept plays out.

Resume wise, Evil Genius has the best of the three hounds. Mostly because she has lived the longest of course. She has gone on several backpacking trips in Michigan and in West Virginia including Dolly Sods and on too many car camping trips and day hikes to count. Sal Dog has contracted and kicked Lyme Disease. She is in great shape for her age, though.

Candidate Number Two

Name: Emma
Age: 7 years
Breed: Beagle Terrier Mix
Characteristics: People Pleaser, Obedient, Smallish, Loud
Nicknames: Miss M, Sausage, Diva
Trail Name: Banshee

Emma was a rehome at five months old. She lived in a home where a man was abusive of this puppy’s owner as well as the puppy herself. We were asked if we could take Emma and did so sight unseen. She is a small 25-pound obedient Beagle mix that sits when a biker or runner passes us on the trail. Sausage has gained several pounds recently due in no small coincidence to my wife changing from an office to a work from home job. Nickname Diva comes from how special she thinks she is, requiring her food or bed to be prepared just so.

Trail name Banshee comes from the times she is super excited. This can be as simple as crossing a street or me coming home from work. While she may bark here and there, when really excited she hits another pitch. Shatter glass level. People in our neighborhood have posted about a dog “screaming”. We think it has to be the Banshee.

Miss M’s resume is smaller than that of Sal Dog’s but still worthwhile. She has been on one backpacking trip, to three national parks and on many other camping adventures. Diva would require less dog food weight and loves to sleep under covers so would be a big plus on the colder nights starting out.

Candidate Number Three

Name: Alice
Age: 1.5 years
Breed: Bluetick Coonhound
Nicknames: Coonhound, Beast, Sweet Girl
Trail Name: Trainwreck

Alice was rescued this past July at eleven months old when a rural shelter put out a plea to help with their abundance of hounds. The shelter volunteer asked which hound we wanted to see first, and we said whichever they would have the hardest time adopting out. That was this large goofy Coonhound who probably had only lived outdoors as a bad at hunting dog. Often in rural areas if a dog isn’t a good hunter they are run off or killed.

Trainwreck is her current trail name and comes from a combination of her young age, clumsiness, and exuberance. This beast goes in every direction at once. At the same time, she is the sweetest soul we have ever adopted. Coonhound might receive a better trail name in the near future but her life with us is just getting started and this one works for now.

With only one camping trip to her name, Alice’s resume is the shortest. She is by far the most athletic of the three hounds. I saw her jump once from being shoulder deep in a river onto a six-foot rock wall. She runs like a gazelle. Physically I think she is the best equipped to handle the AT. Plus, the Bluetick Coonhound is the state dog of Tennessee. Trainwreck is also by far the most untrained of the three hounds but making steady progress. She is a very willing pupil though unlike Sal Dog who is set in her ways.

And The Winner Is

Though I would love to take Sally, her age is just a deal breaker. She gets tired much more easily these days. Matriarch will visit me on the trail and even do some day hiking, but five miles is a lot for her now. Sal Dog deserves and needs the comforts of home.

Emma is still being considered but when on the trail, any time I wasn’t in sight, she would certainly shriek until I returned. This little Banshee is still in good shape and is the best behaved of the group. Miss M is also my favorite though I don’t think I’m supposed to say that. But when I saw her shiver in the 70-degree condo after a shower last week my lean against taking her became a much greater lean. I will really miss her.

That leaves Trainwreck as the winner? Physically, she would handle the hardships the best. She will be pushing two years old when I start so would have the energy and quickly develop the stamina. Coonhound is entering her prime. Though raw now, she has come a long way in four months and has about three more months to be ready. With a few upcoming shake downs, she would be trail ready in time.

But in the end, I am choosing to not take a dog with me. That could change tomorrow or even while I am trekking but today, I think that is best for both me and my hounds. It would make a very difficult undertaking even harder. Everything from resupplying to lodging not to mention the daily routine would be more complicated. For them, 2,200 miles is a long way, and they have the luxury of a good home to wait for me in. Since I live only 5 to 9 hours from the trail, I will get to see them monthly until I get into New Jersey and points north. If all goes well, all three will fetch me from Maine nine months from now.  When that happens, my hope is that Old Gal is still with us, Banshee doesn’t shriek too much, and Trainwreck hasn’t changed from her goofy self one bit.

For anyone deciding to take their dog along with them in 2024, I am envious. Have a blast. If you see me on the trail, I hope you will let me give your dog some attention. I will ask first of course. Happy Holidays!