Which Tent - 1 man + dog

[xsploit]

Hi,
I plan on doing some hikes and camping with mans best friend, my dog. I thought the best tent would be one with a vestibule, that is longer than 140cm. My idea was to have the dog sleep in the vestibule to keep him out of trouble (that includes from me).

I'm new to hiking and am concerned about weight. I have narrowed some choices of tents, although I would like to know if anyone has recommendations for other tents to consider.

At the moment I'm tossing up between the Kaitum 2 GT and the Spirit 200+
The Kaitum 2 GT - as the dog can be at the front and my gear at the back. I'm not sure if it's worth getting the Kaitum 3 GT. It seems to be pretty big for one person. My partner may potentially share the tent as well.

The Vango Spirit 200+ - mainly due to price, and similar features to the other tents. There may be a big difference in quality though.



Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[neilmny]

The Vango is lighter and half the price.
I'd be a bit worried about my dog ripping his way out after a passing wombat
or something with one of the wizzbang tents.

http://www.wildearth.com.au/buy/vango-t ... TE-SPI200F

[stry]

If you are likely to have two people using the tent, I would think hard about a 3 man version. EG Nallo 3 GT or, if you need bombproof and don't mind the considerable weight, Nammatj 3 GT.

The extra width of a 3 person provides a lot of extra comfort. You also gain a smidgin of headroom. The weight jump from 2 to 3 person is very small.

[Franco]

Henry Shires originally made the Tarptent Rainbow (900g at the time) to use it with his 50 lbs dog.
And that he did for a few years till the dog (Tioga) died.
But whatever you feel safe with for you and of course it depends a lot on the down time.
The longer you are at camp and maybe the bigger the shelter.
Generally folk that hike with dogs recommend keeping them inside the inner as Neil suggested above.

[photohiker]

Good option for camping with dogs is the TrailStar. Saw a few being used that way in the UK.

It's an open shelter like a tarp but with a semi enclosed space and the option of an inner or bivi. Lots of floorspace. No doors or restriction to a dog leaving through the entrance or under the edge.

Some discussion on BPL here. (OP changed his mind and went with a hammock!)

From an (almost) one-eyed TS user: http://flyingdogphotography.blogspot.co ... s-for.html

[xsploit]

Thanks everyone for your help.

I ordered the Spirit 300+ for my start into the hiking world world with my dog.

http://www.vango.co.uk/trekking/spirit-300+.html

[puredingo]

If your dog snores like mine buy him his own tent and pitch it a Klm away!

[xsploit]

hahaha. Just the occasional nightmare or dreaming about the pretty dog next door. He makes some unusual sounds some times.

[Onestepmore]

The Vango vestibule looks good for a dog - it's like the GT versions of the Hillebergs you mention above.
What sort of dog do you have?
I always love the idea of bushwalking with a dog, and having it help carry a few bits of gear with one of these Ruffwear packs http://www.ruffwear.com/dog_packs

If I took one of my dogs with me he'd end up sleeping inside my sleeping bag He's a sneaky Jack Russel and he burrows to snuggle. I'd never take my other dog though - he's a pug and has no respiratory capacity whatsoever and snores louder than most men! Our older dog was a Huntaway - she would have been a great camping companion

[photohiker]

Should have gotten the TrailStar, dogs love em





From Backpackingbongos

Seriously, the Vango looks like it will do the job, a bit heavy but. Maybe offload some weight on the dog with one of those Ruffwear packs

[xsploit]

Hi,
I have a white swiss shepherd. Here is a blog I'm putting together. He's 7 months and still growing.
http://whiteswiss-shepherd.blogspot.com.au/

I haven't purchased a backpack for the dog as yet. Apparently its the best thing to do so the dog feels like it has a job. When it's on his back you should expect and I suppose train a certain behaviour you expect. I heard all this from Ceasar Millan.
As long as he lugs his own water it sounds great.

Jack Russels are awesome dogs. I had two. Unfortunately they both tried to take on a tiger snake. The first year I lost the *&%$#!, the following year the male. I would let the *&%$#! sleep any where if she was clean. One very smart dog. Not much to say for the male though. No hiking for them as they were trained to catch small game.

I purchased "Bush Camping with dogs" to help me on my journey.

[xsploit]

Thanks for sharing Michael.
That tent looks like the easiest approach.

I wanted to lock the sucker up (the dog) in something he thinks he's confined in. Possum's have always been running along the back fence, although recently the dogs tried to get up close and personal with them. I know what time the possums are around, because the barking always wakes me up half way through the night:)

[Solohike74]

You might like to consider that dogs are forbidden in nearly all national parks.

You may be only able to camp in state forests or other crown land areas if seeking a bushland experience.

[Onestepmore]

I heard all this from Ceasar Millan.

It's true dogs need a job to do and good consistent leadership .Be very careful with Cesar Millan's 'advice' thoug'. Any good dog behaviouralist or trainer who follows the principals of positive reinforcement will steer you well clear of this guy. No 'alpha rolls' please!
Just a FYI from someone who works professionally with dogs

Have fun on your advantures and be sure to post some pics of you and your dogs out there!

[xsploit]

Thanks Onestepmore.
All the training I learn is positive reinforcement, and then some things I also disagree with Ceasar Millan.

Are you able to offer some advice on my pup who's barking at night at either cats or possums walking the fence. Every time I wake up and go outside he's so happy, so it looks more like playful behaviour. My motivation for any type of training being woken up at 3am is really hard .

[xsploit]

You might like to consider that dogs are forbidden in nearly all national parks.

You may be only able to camp in state forests or other crown land areas if seeking a bushland experience.

To provide some further information for people reading this thread.

Around nine million hectares of Victoria are covered in various parks, reserves and state forest and the ideal way to explore these areas is by camping.

Although virtually all national and state parks are off limits to domestic animals because of the need to provide protection and conservation for native wildlife, there are around 3.4 million hectares of state forest which allow camping and other activities to responsible dog owners in both designated and bush camp sites.

Every camp site has different rules and conditions of camping in Victoria so be sure to become familiar with them and verify the details by telephoning prior to travel. The areas that allow dogs are provided they are under effective control and on leash. Exceptions to the rule apply to designated off leash areas.

Useful Numbers
- Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) 13 61 86
- Parks Victoria - 13 19 63
- Tourist Information - 13 28 42

[Ellobuddha]

Hi,

I have a 10yo 45 kg male German Shepherd so he's a big unit.

I recently bought a Hilleburg Jannu which I love. I can happily fit him in the tent with me. This was going well till he farted then he got sin binned outside. He was back sniffing around the tent ten minutes later and he was given a reprieve to spend rest of night in the vestibule, which even though on a Jannu are fairly low, was still plenty of room for him.

The Jannu is bombproof. Cant say enough good things about it. Palatial for one great for two with packs in vestibule. Small footprint too which has been very handy already

[andrewa]

I have a Hilleberg Nallo 3GT. This sizes good for 2 adult (humans), and vestibule would allow a whole flock of dogs to sleep comfortably. Our Lab would happily seep in vestibule all night, and not care what was going on outside. Our dysfunctional brain dead spoodle would roam all over the place unless she was cuddled up to us. Fortunately much of the camping I do is in National Parks, where dogs aren't allowed!
A

[puredingo]

I just took my dog (well the wife and daughters dog which became mine as soon as puppyhood ended) and never again! I'm used to having Aussie cattle dogs which are custom made for our environment. This Staffy was more a pain in the *&%$#! than anything. Freezing cold at night, dying of thirst or starving hungry, trying to get up on my legs during the night and snoring like a obese alcoholic.

The old cattle used to get locked out of the tent at night and come morning it was exactly where it bunked down the night before with a smile on it's face, a wag of the tail it would be ready for as many Klms as you could throw at it.

[Ellobuddha]

Only a brave man would put a hyperactive staffie in a tent - still laughing.