People walk for different reasons, some for the benefits of being fit, some to discover and enjoy the beauty of nature, and others for a sense of accomplishment. And others find immense pleasure in taking their dogs on excursions with them.
Various breeds of dogs have become known for different activities. Pointers are known for their skills as hunting dogs, while Saint Bernards are famous as cold-weather rescue dogs. German Shepherds have made their place as police dogs and bloodhounds that are used for tracking. Blue Healers are excellent livestock workers and Doberman Pinschers will protect anything you own.
While hiking Colorado’s mountain trails, we often run into other hikers accompanied by their dogs, 95% of which are of a ‘big dog’ breed, such as Labrador Retrievers. They seem to enjoy running down trails, chasing squirrels, and jumping into mountain streams.
One day while walking our little Yorkshire Terrier, we ran into some other hikers on the trail and the comment was made, ‘Hey, Yorkies don’t like to hike!’
Well let me introduce Kokamo, a five pound purebred Yorkie, and he loves to walk. No, he lives to walk! As soon as he sees the hiking gear rounding up, he acts like the Energizer bunny on steroids! Jumping on my legs, non-stop as if to say, ‘Walk? Yes, we are going on a hike! I like to walk! I can’t wait to walk! Hiking! Hiking! Oh yes, hiking!
Once in the truck, he repeatedly goes from the legs on the dash facing forward to the floor to get out, then from one side window to the other, from one side to the other, he can’t wait. Finally, at the trailhead, he is the first out of the truck, leaving with no idea which way to turn. Once on the trail, it’s 20 yards and back, back and forth, never stopping.
Soon, it’s the showdown. Here come the ‘big dogs’ down the trail. Who will bully whom, the lab vs. the yorkie Posture from both sides, sniffing from both sides. ‘How cute,’ says the big dog. “My trail, move over the big guy,” says Kokamo. And they go in opposite directions.
Besides, I know that big dogs tend to be fiercely loyal and protective of their owners and Yorkies, well, not so much. I remember when our previous Yorkie, Alex, was camping with us when a bear came into the camp during the night. He went straight to the bottom of my sleeping bag and just silently shivered: there was no protection there! But I digress.
After a day of hiking, Kokamo lies beside me, exhausted and content, as if he were in Doggie Heaven on Earth. Yes, Yorkies like to walk and Kokamo lives for it.
