trail dog suggestions

As a matter of fact, they do. Check out Garmin Astro 550 (IIRC), though it's really designed for a larger dog.

If your dog is at all used to the outdoors, s/he won't get lost. The dog may want to go off chasing things, and get separated from you, but that's a different matter. (Had this problem with Niki when I first got her: she'd just take it into her head to go off and explore, or chase deer.) If you can train the dog to have a good recall, it shouldn't be a problem. I like to use a whistle myself, as I think it carries and gets their attention better. (So a voice call is "Hey, over here" while the whistle is "Get your butt over here right now!"

Great that you chose to work with your beagle! Recall and focus training will help a lot. I don't have a GPS tracker for my dog, but others have posted some and I'm sure if you google it, you can find some. Good luck and have fun on the rides :)

I haven't read all the other suggestions but wanted to throw in a Rottweiler. We have a Rottie mix that was a stray. She has a short, easy to take care of coat. Little or no brushing required and really doesn't shed much. She had her tail bobbed when she wandered up. Although I don't agree with the idea, it is nice when she is in the house. I have 6 dogs total and she is the only one I would consider taking out on the trails.
Hunting dogs have a tendency to run of and stir up birds and such. Herding dogs want to "herd" the horses. My Shepherd mix will nip at the horses heels. Plus she sheds terribly in the spring.
Go with a guard dog type. They will hang with you and protect you from bad guys

yea I use was really suprised at how well she did i will have to treats and get her up to walking long distances shes been pretty lazy lately but it'll all be good ill take some treats with me next time and see what happens lucy is a real big fan of treats thats how i got her potty trained and if you know anything about bassett hounds they dont do it unless its their idea but anyways ill take some pictures and post it on here

i have hounds one is a bloodhound and if you get your hound to focus on the end result which is be there with you at the end of the ride and she gets a great reward. My bloodhound goes with me on rides not all the time but a few she is and endurance monster LOL she takes me on walks not the other way around. The point being most hounds have great stamina and if your recall and heel is good you can keep them right there with you on horse back.

I've got an Aussie Shepherd, and he's good with the horses, and "rides" with me once or twice a week and has no problem at all keeping up, doesn't require a lot of grooming, and is excellently behaved on the trail, in the house, in the Jeep, basically whereever I decide to take him, he's awesome...

My best luck with having dogs on the trail and lazy during the week have been my labs, lol. I have never had any luck with cattle dogs or the border collie, while they were WONDERFUL on the trail, their home behavior pretty much sucked if they got bored their herd instinct kicked in and they ran my horse nearly to death one time. I am not saying all are like that, but if you want a mellow dog, I truly wouldn't suggest a herding breed.

I own 3 labrador retrievers. 1 male and 2 female and they have always been very mellow around any livestock animal and they never did mind other dogs. Also they know to just lay around and have fun on their own pretty much during the week, but when we get our trailer up and ready for a trail ride, they know it is PLAYDAY and I can go for miles and miles and they don't give out. They have never required too much attention everyday though and they are very mellow till it is time to get out and play. I guess it helps that they have each other also. Hope this helped.

Sounds like you may have found your "trail" dog. My best trail dog is a great dane, pretty much fits your description, only downside is shorter lifespan, seems like about 5 when they start to slow down. My girl will be 7 next month and has started lagging abit when riding. I let her get alittle pudgy and I'm sure that doesn't help, I've been encouraging her to go more lately to work some of it off! My other dane is almost 10 and just can't do it anymore even though he wants to so bad, I have to make sure he's inside before I go. My mom's miniature schauzer would LOVE to go to, but I worry to much about her being hit by a car, however they may be small dogs, but they are tough! My dad's is his farm dog (and if he rode would also be his trail dog).

Usually when I ride I if I'm not careful I end up w/ a few "extras" my sister in law's Great pyr mix (alittle lab and mystery dog mixed in), Ally, and my sister's pit, Butch. Ally's good, but I generally go by alot of houses and she likes to run through people's yards, which I think is rude. Butch is alittle better, but if it's up to me I'd rather he stay home.

I think most dogs can be decent trail dogs, as long as your willing to put in the work to make them that way!

wow, your danes are already above average lifespan-wise :) you must be doing something right ;)

~AL615

Hey Nate, Some of the comments sound a bit harsh. I admire you for reaching out and asking a good qustion about what type of dog would be good for your needs. I to am looking for a trail dog. I have a Carin Terrier who was a good trail dog but at 13 years old is to old to take on the trail. And oh how she misses that! I also have a Schnauzer who is a good trail dog , but tends to try and stop traffic for me! So I don't take him to often. At any rate, most any dog can be a good trail dog. I find smaller {25 to 35 lbs.} dogs seem to do good. They are compact enough not to require to much food on the trail yet strong enough to keep up and enjoy the journey. Good luck in your quest to find a "Trail Partner", and don't take some of the comments to heart. People just care alot at the risk of sounding rude sometimes...