BACKPACKING

Hiking with backpacking is an enjoyable, albeit sometimes strenuous, activity for you and your Malamute. Anyone can join in as long as they and their dog are in good health, are reasonably fit and have the right equipment.

The only specialised equipment you'll need is a canine backpack for your dog. make use of backpacks made from heavy-duty cordura with adjustable straps so that the pack can be fitted to your dog. Apart from that you'll require a sturdy lead (1.8 - 2.4 meters long is ideal) & collar, weight for the backpack, water & water bowl for your dog, rubbish bags, sensible footwear, warm & waterproof clothing, human backpack, food & drink, sunscreen, hat, insect repellant, light tent (should you be camping over night), etc. Walkers must also carry their own basic first aid items. Be aware that dogs are to be kept on lead at all times and always remain the responsibility of their owner.

If you are just interested in hiking with your dog for fun, then you can put items such as food, drink and clothing in his backpack - as much or as little as you like. Anyone is welcome to join in on our walks - your dog doesn't have to carry weight if you are not seeking to obtain a Working Pack title in future, and you don't have to complete the full distance.

Training should begin with walking you dog with a lightly loaded pack to get him used to the feel of it, and to ensure that the pack is fitted correctly and is comfortable for the dog. Once the dog is used to wearing the pack, gradually increase the weight in the pack and the distance of your walks. By building up the weight in this way, any problems with your dog or the backpack should become apparent before you find yourself kilometers from anywhere participating in a backpacking event. A badly fitted pack will not only be uncomfortable, but may rub the skin raw or cause injury, so if you're not sure that you've adjusted the pack correctly, please find someone to assist you.

Obviously you will require a sturdy backpack which is sufficiently large to hold the required weights. The weight is usually made up of something that is dense yet can mould to the shape of your dog: bags of rice, bags of damp sand and/or a soft pack of water (similar to the bladder of a wine cask) are suitable. It is also important that you know how to adjust the pack so that it is fitted correctly and is most comfortable for the dog.

The Club will strive to hold several social hiking events throughout the year at various venues in and around Pretoria & Johannesburg (usually at the most +- 1 hours drive from Centurion), and anyone with a healthy and fairly fit dog is welcome to come along. Further information about backpacking with your dog and backpacking events can be obtained via the club newsletter, "Friend of the Alaskan Malamutes in Southern Africa", or by phoning the Club Secretary until such time a Backpacking Co-ordinator has been appointed.

Working Pack Dog Title: We will strive with National Sled Dog Federations to get "backpacking" included for working titles and will strive to offer a Working Pack Dog Title which is available to registered or non-registered Alaskan Malamutes.

Rules and regulations for the Working Pack Dog (WPD) still needs to be divined. To qualify for the WPD title your dog must carry 30% of its body weight for a minimum of 16 km on four occasions - a dog weighing 40 kg would therefore have to carry 12 kg of weight, which is the equivalent of 12 litres of water. We do not recommend that you and/or your dog attempt this unless you are both fit, healthy and have done some training.

RULES & REGULATIONS

Competitions are governed by local event giving organizations and the International Sled Dog Events Associations.

RECREATIONAL MUSHING

It you are not the competitive type, recreational mushing should be a must for you and your Alaskan Malamute.

Should you be interested in engaging with our activities, send an e-mail to famcsa@gocco.co.za