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MAGS Pack Hikes
Hit the Trail with Your Dog!
Pack hikes are a great way to get outside with your dog, meet other Swissy owners, and experience an activity our breed was originally developed to do. MAGS participates in the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America (GSMDCA) Working Pack Dog program, giving Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs the opportunity to earn Working Pack Dog titles through sanctioned hikes. These titles recognize a Swissy’s ability and fitness to work over time and across a variety of terrain. There is no time limit for earning a Working Pack Dog title, and once earned, the title remains with your dog for their lifetime.
Who Can Participate?
Pack hikes are open to Swissy owners and handlers who meet the applicable GSMDCA requirements.
Ready to Hike?
Before attending, please review the GSMDCA Pack Hike Rules & Regulations and complete the required Handler Entry Form (located below)
Earn Your MAGS Pack Hike Patches
The "Patch Project" is a way for MAGS to reward its members in club events above and beyond the received certificate from the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America. MAGS looks forward to recognizing each handler and dog as they succeed in the Pack Hike working dog activity!
Guidelines:
- 3 circle patches and 1 boot – 4 patches in total to be available and rewarded as appropriate.
- 1st time you earn a leg you get a boot (for that dog)
- MAGS will honor all legs earned for their members regardless of club sponsoring the hike. (i.e., MAGS member hikes with C&P 10 miles, that MAGS member will obtain credit toward MAGS trophy/patch.)
- MAGS member would get a bronze patch from MAGS once they hiked 4 legs
- MAGS member would get silver patch from MAGS once they hiked an additional 5 legs
- MAGS members would get gold patch from MAGS once they hiked an additional 10 legs
What Gear Do I Need for a Pack Hike?
Getting ready for your first pack hike doesn't have to be complicated. The following are items that have worked well for MAGS members and are commonly useful on the trail. These are recommendations, not requirements, and there are many ways to assemble your dog's pack
A Properly Fitted Pack
The Ruffwear Palisades Pack is one option commonly used for pack hikes because it provides enough capacity to carry the required weight.
- Size: L/XL (32–42")
- Approximate price: $149.99
- The pack is often discounted throughout the year and may be available from Ruffwear, Amazon, REI, or other retailers
Water & Hydration
Water can serve double duty on a pack hike: it's something your dog and handler will actually need, and it can help provide some of the starting weight required for the pack.
Water Bladders: The Palisades Pack comes with two hydration bladders, but additional bladders can be useful. Extra bladders don't have to be the exact same type as those that come with the pack; flexible or moldable bladders can fit into the saddlebags and can even be frozen ahead of time for warm weather hikes.
Other Water Containers: 8- or 16-ounce bottles can also be used for adding weight to the pack. Reusable containers such as empty beverage bottles can be particularly useful because several filled containers can contribute approximately 2.5–3.5 pounds of starting weight, depending on the number and size used.
Tip: Flexible or collapsible containers are easier to fit into the pack than rigid bottles and can be compressed as they're emptied.
Collapsible Food & Water Bowl
A collapsible bowl with a carabiner clip can attach directly to your dog's pack and is convenient for water and feeding breaks.
Pack your dog's food or snacks and use them throughout the hike. This gives you something useful to carry while also allowing the pack weight to decrease naturally as food and water are consumed.