While I was away this summer doing an extended backpack trip my husband got lonely and bought a puppy! We had talked of a lab, but when I got home, here was a Boarder Collie. So, we too, have a new dog and hope to take it backpacking. I was however dismayed to read that Boarder Collies are considered a poor choice for small children (we have 8 grandchildren under the age of 5). The pup is 10 weeks old now and we take her on twice daily walks on a leash and my husband takes here to the archery range every morning, off leash. The breed supposedly has a herding instinct - she really wants to chase cars. So I worry about chasing animals if backpacking. The breed is supposed to be very agile, so we hope she becomes good at off-trail travel too. One question - how old should a pup be for their first backpack trip? PS, I have a "dog story" to tell from my trip this summer. I am trying to post the trip but Photobucket is having issues right now.