Just curious how many of you in a “Bugout” situation whether, zombies economic meltdown, food shortage, whatever your flavor of apocalypse, would:
Take your current dog with you… and how would you provide for it.
What are some practical uses, for the dog in a survival situation.
What is your dog realistically capable of as far as utilitarian uses go.
[QUOTE=cankicker01;1222039]J
I have two dogs; a male GSD and a female mutt. I would take them if at all practical until such a time they became a hindrance.
[QUOTE]2. What are some practical uses, for the dog in a survival situation.
Deterrence. Early warning. Food scrounging. Companionship.
- What is your dog realistically capable of as far as utilitarian uses go.
See above.
Just a few thoughts…
I’ve thought about this too. I have a lab and gsd mutt. I would take them for companionship and the fact it would haunt my soul if I left them on purpose 
I actually think they would hinder me as both like to bark at anyone they see (could be good?) but I would rather keep a low profile.
There ya go.
Also, I have one that extremely protective & doesn’t miss anything, so add guard dog to that list as well.
I have a trained Malinois who is part of my family’s security team.
I have extra provisions for him and he’s capable of catching his next meal if need be.
Early warning for intruders, protection against intruders, companionship, love and he’s just an awesome dog.
Eating your face! No seriously, he’s badass! I have no question in my mind that our Mal would defend my family’s lives with his own under any circumstances.
For further evidence, proof and examples look no further than Will Smith’s GSD in “I Am Legend”. :ph34r:
I have small 15 lb. Italian Greyhounds.They’re part of my family and will stay with us, they eat next to nothing (huge plus) & we have ample food stored for them as well. They’re amazing sighthounds, were bred to hunt small game 4,000 thousands years ago it is believed, are lightening fast and can easily catch rabbits, birds, squirrels etc without blinking an eye. Nothing can escape them, they’re that fast. They’ll quietly hunt food for us & them, need be. I don’t plan on needing to use many .22’s. They’re amazing companions & also great watch dogs. Where I go, they go. As far as I’m concerned, the perfect shtf dogs.
my dog would eat dog food or table scraps, dogs hearing is far much better than that of a human early warning as some people have said and my dog could help defend my family.
Thanks for the reply guys. Kind of the answers I came to myself just wanted to put it out there and see if anybody had any ideas i had not thought of yet… So anyone else out there keep em coming.
True, but not all dogs are accustomed to taking advantage of this. Perfect example is my wife’s dog, who is clearly a “pet only”.
Shit bumps from the neighbors and wakes me up in the middle of the night, the dog doesnt stir in the least and her snoring keeps me awake >.<
I have a laid back pit bull/bull dog mix that follows me everywhere. Doesn’t get too excited about things, listens to commands very well, doesn’t run away and not really a barker. He is very friendly but you mess with him and he’d probably take your arm off.
Yeah I would take him because I view the dog as an asset. But thinking about my last dog I had that thing would have been a liability because it was almost opposite of this one.
YMMV. 
My pets are family. They stay with me. We’ll sink or swim together.
I love my dog, (Australian Cattle Dog) He is extremely rugged, fearless, and a great early warning system albeit a little small to take on a full grown adult human. In a disaster scenario however, I imagine that his “warnings” would warn everyone else that i was there to. Unless that could be changed (muzzled, trained, ext) then he’d have to go. H
However, he could scrounge mostly for himself or eat things i cant/wont like bones after boiling, fur, filter organs, people? (its not cannibalism if i feed my dog people is it???)
On an interesting side note, this is how i know my dog could scrounge for itself…
same breed. little wierdos all of them
The family dog ranks higher than my wife. He does not bark because he was born deaf. In all probability, I would get my ass shot off trying to save his butt.
She’s a wolf hybrid, half Malamute. And yeah she is staying with me. She’s mostly quiet except when she wants to sing or talk back and she is very much capable of fending for herself. She is also extremely loyal and protective.
What food are you guys putting back for your K9s?
I would assume dry food, no?
What is the life span of dry dog food stored properly?
My dogs are and always have been my family. I think the majority of pet owners can relate. I feel that no matter the answer most could never leave a dog behind regardless of what they say. I think I could live with myself if my dog and I fell at the same time.
I find this curious. My Bulldog is deaf as a rock but she’ll bark if she wants something. She’s the baby, guess I’d have to carry her, but the other two, GSD & Pit-mutt could be useful, early warning / visitor deterrent.
That would be my biggest concern, food. I would hate to have to start to feed dogs people food that has been stored.
Any ideas on how to make a good dog food?
amen brother