How in the world do you coax a beagle up the trail? My two hike in a zigzag pattern, constantly veering here and there to sniff something interesting. Last fall one of them, Molly, tracked down the wrapper from an old candy bar聴20 yards off the trail.
Anyway, I may have just the thing for you: The Mutt Hutt, from Ruff Wear (www.ruffwear.com), a long-time maker of excellent outdoor dog stuff [reviewed in 国产吃瓜黑料’s January 2003 issue]. It’s a real little tent for dogs, keeping them dry and out of the weather, while its easy-access door lets the pooches come and go as they please. Really very clever. Cost is not prohibitive, either聴$99 for the large size, which probably would accommodate your two mud balls. Weight is a bit of an issue, though, as it’ll add four pounds to your load. But it might be just the ticket. If your dogs are crate-trained, they’ll probably take right to it. Alternatively, you could pack one of several single-pole tarps, such as the Bibler Betamid, which weighs about three pounds with the optional floor and costs $150. But the Mutt Hutt is much more dog-friendly.
For a sleeping pad inside the Mutt Hutt, get a Camp K-9 dog bed, the pet-specific version of Cascade Designs’ long-popular Therma-a-Rest. The medium size should work and costs $90 (www.rei.com). No other pad needed聴the K-9 is thick and soft, with a washable plush top.