Mary Allen
Before you go on a hike with your four-legged friend, you need to clarify a few things: Is the route suitable? Are there difficult passages? Have I packed everything I need? A self-experiment.
A hike over hill and dale is not only a wonderful experience for people. Dogs also appreciate the adventure of walking through unfamiliar territory full of new smells and fresh mountain air. However, there are also tricky situations for them: for example, a herd of suckler cows that has to be crossed, or steep, rocky places that can only be climbed with a ladder – which the dog cannot do.
“It is very important to plan the tour well in advance,” says Livia Waser from the tourism organization “H-und.ch”. She recommends the maps from Schweiz Mobil, which not only show hiking trails but also herds of suckler cows or sheep that are guarded by herd guard dogs, as well as nature reserves where dogs must be kept on a leash. “It is important that this is adhered to. Otherwise there is a risk of further dog bans.” She appeals to comply with local rules. “After all, we respect nature.”
Furthermore, the route planning must be tailored to the physical condition of the dog. “The owners have to be able to estimate how to fit a dog is,” says Waser. That is very individual and not dependent on race. It is important not to force anything and not to push the limits.
With these thoughts in the back of my mind, I set out on a relatively gentle, approximately five-hour tour of Mont Raimeux in the Jura with my Labrador, Xavi. From the Moutier BE train station, the first thing to do is climb quite a bit. The trail goes through the forest, so it’s shady, which makes it comfortable for the dog – and me too.
Hiking with a dog: This is important to keep in mind
Cows and herd guard dogs
The view, which gets better with every meter climbed, plus the gentle scent of coniferous wood, compensates for the initial exertion. Something else exciting seems to be in the air, as indicated by Xavi’s nostrils. A deer? I put the dog on the leash. While I can call her back quickly, I don’t want to risk her chasing a wild animal. The trail of the game disappears and Xavi calms down.
As we emerge from the forest and the plateau rises only gently, the next challenge awaits a pasture with cattle. Luckily no suckler cows, but the young cattle are very curious and run towards Xavi. It’s not her first encounter with cows, so she keeps calm and walks away when she feels threatened. Inquisitive young cattle can appear threatening to other dogs, which is why it is important that they are kept close to you, preferably on a leash, and that they remain calm. I usually stand between the cows and the dog, so I can have a calming effect on both sides.
The Advice Center for Accident Prevention in Agriculture (BUL) advises the dog to be released when it is foreseeable that a cow wants to attack – so that it can escape. Encounters with livestock guard dogs are even more tricky because they see strange dogs as a great danger for the sheep and defend them vehemently. «Never try to cross a protected herd with your dog, but avoid it at a wide range. If in doubt, turn back »advises the specialist department for herd protection. Better yet, such
areas to avoid in the first place.
There are neither sheep nor guard dogs on Mont Raimeux, and after the encounter with the young cattle went without much ado, another topic now becomes topical: water. I took a water bottle with me as a precaution, but it will soon be empty. And I actually expected Xavi to be able to drink from pasture troughs. But here there are only cattle troughs that a labrador cannot reach with his snout.
Start as early as possible
Only on the high plateau of Mont Raimeux is there a fountain that brings relief to both of us who are thirsty. However, Xavi has to hurry up to drink, because a group of equally thirsty cattle is approaching from behind. I lead them away from the well and out of the pasture, where, refreshed, we set out on the descent towards Rebeuvelier, south of Delémont JU. The path zigzags down the slope, there is little shade at first, the sun is at its zenith and is heating up relentlessly. “I always advise hikers to start very early,” says dog tourism expert Livia Waser. “And one way or the other, to make sure that the route includes enough shady passages.”
Now we too are redeemed, the hiking trail leads into the forest. At least for a few kilometers, after that, we suddenly find ourselves back in a cow pasture. Calves look curiously at me, but when a large cow appears behind them, I realize that they are probably suckler cows with their calves. “Let’s go!” I think to myself, although it is well known that hasty movements should be avoided. Luckily the electric fence is very close, so I can first let Xavi pass under the wire – taking care that she doesn’t get an electric shock – and then slip through the fence myself. The suckler cows are calmed by the “escape” and turn back to the fresh grass.
Unfortunately, I lost the hiking trail during the rescue operation, which by the way is no longer marked, and so the last 500 meters to the edge of the village are a bit difficult – across the country through the Jura forest, the ground is slippery in places. But finally, we reach the Rebeuvelier hiking destination, find the bus stop, and are pleased that the village fountain right next to it invites us to refresh ourselves.