🏞️ 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!)

Joining the Working Pack Dog Hike is more than just a walk in the woods — it's a team challenge, a bonding adventure, and a proud achievement. To make it fair, safe, and meaningful for everyone (two- and four-legged), there are a few official rules to follow.

✅ Dog Eligibility

Your dog must be at least 18 months old, healthy, and weigh at least 10kg.
Only ANKC-registered dogs (Dogs Australia) can participate — all Orical dogs are good to go!

✅ Membership

You must be a current member of Dogs NSW or your relevant state body.
- Become a member here.

✅ Pack Weight Requirements

For WNPD (Working Novice Pack Dog): dogs carry 15% of their body weight.
For WPD (Working Pack Dog): dogs carry 30% of their body weight.
At the end of the hike, the backpack must still weigh at least 50% of its starting weight.
Only the dog can consume the food and water in their pack — handlers need to carry their own supplies.

✅ Gear Essentials

Packs must fit well and be properly adjusted for your dog's comfort. We’ll check weights at the start and finish of each hike.
Handlers must carry their own backpack with essentials like food, water, and dog supplies. You’re a team, after all!

✅ On the Trail

Dogs must be on a fixed-length lead (max 3 metres) at all times — no retractable leads.
Dogs must be under good control and friendly towards others. (We know Lappies have this down, but it's always worth a reminder.)
Handlers may walk a maximum of two dogs per event.
Bitches in season are allowed to participate.

✅ Group Hiking Rules

All hikes are completed in a group pack led by an ANKC judge or representative.
Hikers must stay with the group — no solo hiking. If separated, you’ll need to rejoin with the group and be accompanied by the judge or rep.
Keep up the pace! The group must walk at a minimum of 3km per hour or stay ahead of a designated tail-end pace-setter.

✅ Rest Stops

There will be at least 3 rest stops during each hike.
- Each one should be 10–20 minutes long.
- One longer meal stop should last 30–45 minutes.
At each stop, you must:
- Hydrate your dog
- Check their feet for rubbing or injury
- Adjust their pack if needed

✅ Kids & Safety

Handlers must be at least 16 years old.
Kids under 16 can come along, but an adult must handle the dog.
The event isn't recommended for children under 10 — it's a big day out!

🏅 Titles & Multipliers

Once your dog has four qualifying hikes, they can earn their WPD or WNPD title!
Want to go further? For every additional four qualifying hikes, they earn a multiplier suffix:
- E.g. 16 hikes = WPD4
You can apply directly for any multiplier (like WPD5) without needing to apply for the earlier ones.

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