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Dogs and Cats in the Backcounty — What Breed?

Bookmark and Share            By Lou

Lisa wants a pug. I couldn’t find one, but she can have a poodle if I can have a cat (a feline with a 457 ci V8, actually).

Backcountry skiing dog and cat.
Backcountry skiing mechanized access somewhere in Colorado. Photo by B.C.

Posted by Lou on November 15, 2006 | Filed Under Backcountry Skiing 

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Comments

11 Responses to “Dogs and Cats in the Backcounty — What Breed?”

  1. adam olson November 15th, 2006 7:17 am

    I recognize that old Thikol cat! it used to belong to the ski co in snowmass. when I drove that old snocat it was named 9cents. Cafe Suzanne used it as a food/trash hauler. In its later years it was a fuel cat. hauling (and leaking) diesel fuel all over the mountain. Im glad to see its duing well in retirement.

    ao :)

  2. Andrew McLean November 15th, 2006 8:46 am

    Whoa…! An avalanche poodle!

  3. Mike Marolt November 15th, 2006 8:46 am

    Have to get you that sticker for your truck Lou;

    big boy toys come on trailers.

    M

  4. Debbie Kelly November 15th, 2006 8:47 am

    Lou,
    I am sure you are correct in assuming the RFAC did not start forcasting earlier due to budget constraints. Give them a plug for donations every now and then. We are so lucky to have a local forcast center and I think all backcountry skiers should support it financially at whatever level they can. I would hate to see them fold due to lack of donations whick they depend heavily for their income. Thanks.

  5. Clyde November 15th, 2006 11:57 am

    It should be noted that Olav V, forme King of Norway and an avid skier, had a poodle named Troll. He is quoted as saying “Avalanche poodles might be considered the exception to the ‘no dogs on soft snow trails’ rule.”

  6. Derek November 15th, 2006 12:40 pm

    I owned a small Bombardier cat for a while, good times. Eventually sold it and bought a sled, then sold the sled. I ‘almost’ bought a cat yesterday again, but my wife knocked some sense into me.

    They are fun, but they do consume a fair amount of time with maintenance. And parts are never cheap.

  7. Jurkowitsch November 15th, 2006 1:32 pm

    My biggest concern of domestic ski pals is SIZE; so, the dog should provide enough meat for the whole party “IF” a survival situation is encountered!! Also, the hide/fur can help provide a warm cover for the oevrnight situation!!
    As for cats – they are O.K. – abit small – and I do love ‘em, but i can eat a whole cat in one sitting!!

  8. Dhelihiker November 15th, 2006 2:22 pm

    Does the dog drive while you ski? That would be cool!!

  9. Mark Worley November 15th, 2006 3:43 pm

    There are folks who collect old cats, and yeah, they are cool but can be a sinkhole for $$. Oh, I guess skiing can be like that too. Anyway, a cat skiing operator in Montana figures about half an hour of maintenance for every eight hours of operation, and I think that is for a fairly new snowcat.

  10. Lou November 15th, 2006 5:51 pm

    You guys are cracking everybody up…

  11. Steve Seckinger November 16th, 2006 6:17 pm

    I thought this thread was about pugs! Pugs are great dogs and have a lot of “size” in a little package. Not too good in the snow however unless they are wrapped in fleece and being carried in the sled. We’ve had ours for about 8 years.
    (Lou, we can get you the info on the breeder in Denver if you want)

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Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information and opinion website. Lou's passion for the past forty years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about backcountry skiing and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the Fourteeners! Books and free back country information here, and tons of Randonnee rando telemark info.

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