Dogs and Bicycles

Consider this a lighthearted post, as I haven't made great strides in riding lately. I've had some progress but thought I'd spend the time to fill you in on some more fun biking-related stuff.

I think bicycles and dogs go together like french fries and ketchup. Sure you don't need ketchup to enjoy your french fries, but it can make them so much more fun. If you're ever down at Freeze Thaw Cycles you might run into their customer service representatives, Salsa and Bosco.

Salsa getting some water, by A. E. Landes Photography

Bosco - sportin the HAWK

What I love about these dogs, is that they're not just shop dogs that sit around. These are also dogs that you'll run into if you're out on the trail. They love biking just as much as people do.

Bosco out with Harry and Chris

When we moved to State College, Tom and I decided that we were ready to get a puppy. When we were thinking of breeds and qualities we were looking for we definitely wanted a dog that we could train to be a bike dog. We would need a pup that liked to be around people, perhaps a herding dog that could handle a bunch of bicycles, and a dog that would have plenty of energy and endurance.

brace yourselves... for cuteness

ready?

ready??

ready???

I don't think you've prepared yourself yet, for how cute this is.

I warned you.

This is our Australian Shepherd, Vali. He is now 4 months old and when we first brought him into the house, one of his favorite things to do was go over to the bikes and chew on them. We took this as a sign that he happily accepted his future role as bike dog and would love it(or that he was teething). We've read that it is best to not over-exercise a dog or do any strenuous activity until they are at least a year old. We probably won't take him on a ride until then. There's always time now, however, to get him socialized, and used to bikes as well as other dogs. He is pretty smart and learns things really quickly. As a shepherd, he already loves herding and today we took him out with the bike for the first time to see how he would react.

Chasing Tom around. Bite his tires!

It was very successful. Once he wakes up from his nap, I'll try to ride around this time. He really is an amazing dog, and I'll be sure to update here and there about his progress. He still has yet to meet Salsa, Bosco, and also Sebastian, another shepherd that rides with us.

Sitting pretty.

Do you know any awesome bike dogs? Some breeds aren't cut out for it, but I've read that it's never one particular breed that's great at it. It's all about how you train them. Let me know if you see any bike dogs out there!

(not mine). from flickr