Instructions
Start with a visit to your veterinarian before starting strenuous hiking. If your dog is a puppy, your vet will be able to give you advice on the amount of physical stress that it can endure. If your dog is an adult, your vet can give you advice on any structural issues or other health issues that might affect. Get your corgi up-to-date on all vaccinations. When hiking in the woods, a rabies vaccination is a must.
Take hikes that are age-appropriate for your corgi. Don̵7;t ask too much of it, especially when it is very young. Author Linda Mullally points out that for the first six to 12 months, depending on its breed, a dog expends most of its energy on growth. If you̵7;re going to have your corgi accompany you on hikes while it is still a puppy, keep the walks short and on relatively level ground to avoid causing structural problems.
Condition your dog. Start with walking your dog in a neighborhood or park setting for about half an hour twice a day, and continue for about a month before trying any actual hiking, to develop its heart and lungs. Gradually decrease the amount of time your dog spends ambling around and increase the time it spends on walking briskly. After this period of cardiovascular training, introduce occasional short trips of no more than an hour or so in conditions more similar to the terrain that you plan to hike. Once your dog is walking this terrain comfortably for a couple of hours, longer hikes can be introduced. If you plan to do any serious cross-country hikes over a period of days, break the hikes into several periods of a few hours each day to make it easier on both you and your dog.
Choose your route carefully. Your corgi can cover rough terrain efficiently, provided its hind legs have sufficient power--structurally and through conditioning--to maneuver. Due to its center of gravity, however, it is more likely that your corgi will have difficulty covering steep terrain, particularly going downhill. If your route takes you down steep terrain, allow time for your dog to make its way carefully downhill or be prepared to carry it.
Be prepared. Always have a leash on hand, just in case your dog must be secured. Bring a well-stocked first aid kit that contains gauze pads, bandage tape, scissors and disinfectant. Bring some dog booties or a couple of pairs of children̵7;s socks as a precaution, in case your dog gets blisters on its feet. Carry sufficient water for both you and your dog; your dog alone will require one or two quarts a day. Bring dog clean-up materials.
How to Hike With Your Corgi
Corgis are hiking maniacs. Originally bred to herd cattle, their short legs have little effect on their endurance or their agility -- and a good hike is just what the doctor ordered when it comes to getting your high-energy pet the exercise it needs. Your dog does need some special conditioning before going on a prolonged hike, especially if it is more likely to herd your remote from the comfort of your couch than it is likely to herd cows. Start small, be prepared, and your corgi can be your hiking companion for years to come.