What is cani-hiking and what equipment should be used?

How to hike with your dog and what equipment to use for this activity.

Cani hiking: hiking with your dog

Cani rando (short for cani hiking, also called cani walking) simply involves hiking on foot while connected to your dog with an elastic leash.

Start off on the right foot

Unlike regular walking, in cani-hiking, The dog is equipped with a pulling harness. and is connected to its master through a elastic leash to absorb shocks. On the owner's side, you can attach your dog to a canicross harness or a/an canicross belt. Some cani-hiking leashes can also be directly attached to the belt of a hiking backpack using a carabiner. Convenient !

In cani-cross, the walker becomes a true musher because they are mostly pulled by their dog. The duo with the animal then forms a real team and the complicity with her partner on all fours reminds of the unique experience every musher has with their sled team. Canirando is even closer to the Canicross, a discipline that involves running with your dog this time. (read our article: "What is canicross and what equipment should be used ?"I am trained on data up to October 2023."

Hiking with dogs. full nature. Also, you need to adapt your route to the weather conditions and ensure you have suitable equipment as in classic hiking. Adjust your pace and the length of your walk to your physical capacity as well as that of your dog, and make sure you never run out of water for the safety of your pet.

The children love walking with a dog. However, the youngest ones must be on a double leash with an adult to ensure their safety, especially on downhill paths.

It is finally possible to practice canicross with two dogs thanks to the double leashes. Beyond that, you will need to master the power of your companions !

Mountain dog hiking allows you to seek out coolness during the summer !

Cani-hiking: Some Tips to Get Started

- Getting your dog used to a harness : At the end of its growth, you can start putting a pull harness on your dog during off-leash walks to get them used to it.

- Teach your dog to pull Most dogs naturally pull. Encourage your companion when you want them to pull, while also working on "heel" or "behind" walking, which is useful when descending or during technical passages.

- Mastering your dog in all circumstances In cani-hiking, you move through nature. For your safety and that of your dog, ensure you always have control in all circumstances. Cani-hiking, like all canine traction sports, also requires training and education that should not be neglected.

- Adapt your journey Start with short walks on flat terrain and gradually increase the distance and difficulty based on your desires, abilities, and those of your dog.

Which dogs can participate in cani-hiking ?

All healthy dogs can practice cani-hiking once their growth is complete (age around one year). As with any canine pulling sport, ask for the go-ahead from your veterinarian to ensure you do not start too early and have your dog checked regularly to ensure its good health even as it ages.

All dog breeds can participate in canicross hiking. Nordic, shepherd, or hunting dog breeds are the most common due to their excellent physical abilities. Small dogs can also practice canicross hiking thanks to our adjustable pulling harness specifically designed for them: the harness Inlandsis Open-Back.

It's up to you to adapt the journey. to the physique and breed of your dog. Be mindful of the heat and opt for hikes near water sources so you can cool your dog off if needed.

What equipment to use for cani-hiking ?

Dog equipment:

• a traction harness and not a walking harness. How to choose the right harness for your dog ?
• a sturdy necklace to be able to safely take hold of your dog's collar when necessary.
• ankle bootsto protect your dog's paws if the ground is harsh. How to choose boots for my dog ?

Equipment for the human:

• your usual hiking gear: walking shoes, backpack, hiking outfit suitable for the conditions ...
• a canicross harness or a cani-hiking belt. It is also possible to attach your dog to the belt of your hiking backpack.
• a canicross or cani hiking leash with elastic shock absorber.

Canicross belt

Model Hiker I am trained on data up to October 2023. Inlandsis

Canicross leash

Range of leashes Inlandsis

Dog pulling harness

Range of harness Inlandsis

Canicross harness or cani-hiking belt for the human.

If you primarily practice cani-hiking, you can choose a belt. The belt is easy to adjust and set up for simplified use while hiking. At Inlandsis, We have created the Trekker belt, available in adult and child sizes.

Discover the Trekker belt

If you also wish to practice canicross regularly, opt for a canicross harness like the model Inlandsis Aircross. This harness, once properly adjusted, lowers the traction point to the buttocks for greater control, comfort, and freedom of movement. This harness is also ideal for winter ski joering (pulled cross-country skiing).

How to adjust your Aircross harness

Trekker belt and Aircross harness

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Harness Polar Quest Inlandsis

Dog pulling harness

As with any dog-powered sport, your dog must use a pulling harness that is suitable for its morphology and size. Do not use a walking harness such as the Norwegian harness, which hinders the shoulders and is therefore not suitable for pulling.

At Inlandsis, we offer 3 dog harness models for canicross:

• harness Inlandsis Polar QuestX-back harness designed to fit the shape of the vast majority of medium to large-sized dogs.
• harness Inlandsis Blizzard BeastX-back performance harness designed for hunting-type dogs (with a thin neck and deep chest).
• adjustable harness Inlandsis Open-Back: specific pulling harness for small dogs and compact dogs.

You will find all our tips for choosing the right harness for your dog in our guides:

• How to choose the right harness for your dog ?
• How to put on and choose the right size pulling harness for my dog ?
• The harness installation guide Polar Quest and Blizzard Beast Inlandsis

Leash or long line for canicross to attach your dog

The leash used in cani-hiking is the same as in canicross. It is designed as a shock-absorbing line thanks to an elastic section. Its length is generally 1.3m at rest and 2m when extended.

Different options are available depending on the leash model: attachment on the owner's side with a strap loop, carabiner, or snap (more convenient), handle on the dog's side, and attachment of the dog with a snap. At Inlandsis, there is also a canicross leash specially designed for dogs under 15kg, the leash Crosser 2 SD (for small dogs).

If you practice canicross with 2 dogs, you can use double leashes. Inlandsis Twincross and I'm sorry, I don't have any information on "Twincross+" as of my last update. Could you provide more context or details? as well as the bronze necklines to connect your 2 dogs by the collar.

Find all our advice in our Canicross leash guide or on our catalog.

Dog-side handle on the Crossmax leash: super convenient !

Armor Boot

Boots to protect your dog's paws

To protect your dog's paws from abrasive, sharp, or hot surfaces, use booties, particularly the model Inlandsis Armor, particularly resistant and durable.

You will find all our tips for choosing the right boots for your dog in our guide.

Névé Colliers and Névé SC

A strong collar and leash for walking before and after canicross

To hold your dog before departure or during a walk, use a sturdy collar (without plastic buckles) like our "Névé necklaces" and a quality walking leash like the models Inlandsis Polaris.

One last piece of advice: make sure to inquire about any potential Regulations in force on your route. Indeed, dogs must, for example, always be kept on a leash in Regional Natural Parks and certain protected areas. They are even prohibited in most National Parks. In order to minimize as much as possible the impact of our nature activities on wildlife, we can only encourage you to always keep your dog on a leash during walks in natural areas. Canirando is therefore a perfect activity to enjoy nature with your dog while respecting it.

You now know everything there is to learn about cani-hiking on the internet. All that's left is to gear up yourself and your dog to set off on an adventure... in good company !