🏞️ Backpacking Adventures with Your Finnish Lapphund 🐾

Have you ever dreamed of heading off into the misty pine forests, your trusty Lappie trotting alongside you, tail wagging and backpack bouncing?
Welcome to the world of Working Pack Dog (WPD) hikes! 🥾🐾

Whether you're after a new challenge, a bonding experience, or just an excuse to get out into nature (hello, fresh air!), this is your sign to jump in.

What’s a Working Pack Dog Title All About?

In simple terms?
Your Lappie carries their own little backpack (yes, seriously cute) and walks 16km alongside you in an official hike. Complete four official hikes and your dog earns a fancy new title: Working Pack Dog (WPD).
It’s not just a title either – it’s proof of their strength, stamina, and awesome spirit.

There’s also a starter level called Working Novice Pack Dog (WNPD) where your Lappie carries a little less weight — perfect for beginners!

What’s Involved?

The Distance: Each hike is around 16km (10 miles), completed over natural terrain like bush tracks and forest trails.
The Pack: Your Lappie carries a backpack loaded with a percentage of their body weight — starting from 15% for novices, and 30% for full WPD hikes.
The Time: You need to complete the distance within a set window (usually 8 hours), but don't worry — we walk at a steady, comfy pace with plenty of breaks!

It’s about working together, not racing to the finish. Every hike is a shared adventure that strengthens the bond between you and your dog.

Rules and Requirements (The Important Bits!)

To make it fair, safe, and a real achievement, there are a few official rules you’ll need to follow:

✅ Dog Eligibility:

Must be at least 18 months old, healthy, and weigh at least 10kg.
Must be registered with ANKC (Dogs Australia) All Orical bred dogs are.

✅ Membership:

You (the handler) need to be a member of Dogs NSW (or your relevant state body).
Become a member here.

✅ Pack Weights:

For WNPD (Novice) hikes: your dog must carry 15% of their body weight
For WPD hikes: they must carry 30%.
Weight must be stable during the hike.

✅ Gear Check:

Packs need to fit well and be adjusted properly for comfort.
Weight checks are done at the start and finish to make sure everything’s spot-on.

✅ Handler Gear:
You also need to carry your own backpack with essentials like food, water and dog supplies — after all, you’re a team out there!

✅ Behaviour:
Dogs must be on lead at all times, under good control, and social towards others. (Lappies are naturals at this, but it's always good to be reminded!)

✅ Hiking Etiquette:
Respect the environment — stick to trails, clean up after your dog, and leave nothing but pawprints.

What It’s Like on the Day

Expect a relaxed, encouraging vibe — full of laughs, wagging tails, and supportive fellow hikers. We stop for water breaks, snacks, and plenty of dog pats along the way.
Most hikes are part of a fun camping weekend (hello, marshmallows and starry skies!), but day-hikers are welcome too.

It’s not just about ticking off kilometres — it’s about creating memories and celebrating your Lappie’s amazing spirit.

equipment needed

You will need for your Lappie:

Backpack- either Ruffwear Singletrack (small for girls, medium for boys) or another pack,

run it past Lauren to check it’s suitable. Lauren is making backpacks using a harness

and 2 x pencil cases sown on, as a budget friendly option. These packs are $20.

Weight for backpack. 15% of your Lappies bodyweight for the novice level, 30% of their

bodyweight for the Working Pack Dog level. I use fishing sinkers (size 6 from Kmart).

And/or water bladders containing water.

Leash- any leash is fine, Lauren likes the Ruffwear Roamer as it clips around your waist,

but any leash is fine.
Coupler- If you have two dogs, a coupler is useful to join the leashes together to make it

a more pleasant walk for you. But it isn’t a must have.
Water for your dog and something to give it in. I like the collapsable bowls and water

bladders. But a water bottle and normal bowl is fine too (put in your backpack).
Collar on your Lappie. It can be better to attach the leash to their collar, depending on

how the backpack sits and of the pull of the leash causes the pack to move to the size. If

using a coupler its better to join the collars not packs.
Poo bags
A crate is handy for before/after the walk, but not a must have. It is a must have if you are camping though for their own security.

You will need for yourself:

Joggers/appropriate shoes to walk in. Enclosed for your safety and comfort.
Water for yourself
Food and snacks for yourself
The temperature is generally 0-10 degrees during the hike, dress accordingly. If you feel

the cold like I do, you may want to wear thermal tights under your pants. Layers on top

are good so you can strip off as needed throughout the day
A backpack to carry your own gear in. Nothing excessive, just a day pack.
There is shade usually from the pine trees, but it’s worth putting a hat in in case logging

has occurred and there’s less trees
Airpods/ear pods if you want to listen to music along the way, but usually we walk semi

together and it’s a social time of chit chats. But it’s fine if you want to listen to music or

podcasts instead.
It’s a good idea to bring lunch for yourself, to eat after the hike.
If you’re hanging around after the hike or camping, you’ll appreciate having a camping

chair to sit on

How to enter

If you’re already picturing you and your Lappie out on the trails, we’d love to have you along!

👉 Contact Danielle — our awesome Working Pack Dog coordinator — for help getting started: lauren@orical.com.au

👉 Need more info about Dogs NSW membership? Click here.

Your next big adventure is waiting — pack your bag, leash up your Lappie, and let’s hit the trails together! 🐾🎒🌲