Anyone have a dog backpack that they really like? I’ve been hiking a lot with my two dogs & think it would be great for them to carry some of their stuff.
They are very different types. One is a 65+ lb catahoula leopard/hound mix and the other is a 15 lb bionic terrier mix. Can the little dog even wear a backpack? Would the same design but different size work for both? I don’t even know where to start shopping :lol:
I have a Mountainsmith and it works great. It’s also held up really well.
I don’t think you’re going to find something small enough for a 15 lb dog, though.
I also use soft bottles that flatten for water that the dog carries, to avoid sloshing. Like these.
You could find one made by Outward Hound for your small dog. But Outward Hound backpacks are crappily designed and poor quality…I probably wouldn’t get one, since you actually need a backpack for real hiking trails, not just in the city. Unless you just want your little dog to have one and will put equipment and supplies in your big dog’s pack. In case you’re interested, though, here’s one: http://myoutwardhound.com/oh05307.html
I got a Canine Equipment one and it is absolutely awesome. The material holds up well to running through trees and getting snagged at by bushes. The long saddlebags help distribute weight evenly along the dog’s back, plus they are removable if your dog wants to take a dip in a river or lake. The chest and 2 belly straps are super padded with adjustable padding. It had reflective linings on it. Lots of separate compartments in the saddle bags (perfect for poopy bags). Oh, and the saddlebags are breathable on the sides that are directly next to the dog’s body.
Needless to say, this is an amazing backpack! I’ve had it for 4 years and it’s stood up to miles of hike trails. Not to mention it is sturdily made. 2 years ago I was hiking on the interior of a mountain in April and the trail turned to complete ice. I had no way to go up besides hanging on to the handle of the backpack and letting my dog PULL me up the hill. It’s amazing.
http://www.rcpets.com/rcpets/index.php/browse/category/id/Pack#main_panel
Ooh, looks like it also comes in red. sharp.
Here’s a pic of my dog wearing it on a hike:
http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/51508/2896723830096098641S600x600Q85.jpg
Seconded about the Outward Hound backpacks being crappy. I regret my purchase of one. Waste of money.
Ruffwear has some well-designed outdoor dog equipment, including backpacks.
However, from what I know about dog anatomy, I would suggest skipping the backpacks (unless on a real hike and you really can’t manage to carry your dog’s stuff yourself). Dogs just aren’t designed to carry loads on their backs and you can really damage their joints with just a few extra pounds loaded up on there. When dogs are used as draft animals it’s always pulling things, not carrying things. For a reason.
Horse carts are often designed such that the horse has to bear a lot of the weight of the cart coming down on his back, and when they try to create dog carts by following this design they tend to end up with lame dogs, so they generally have to re-design them so the dog doesn’t carry any weight, just pulls weight.
IME, Ruffwear stuff FALLS APART. UGH. Haven’t tried their packs but have had a few coats and they just haven’t lasted at all. Super disappointing, especially considering the price.
No issues here having dogs carry their own water and snacks, in perhaps 10 years of hiking with them like that. Here is Koa in her pack. (And a couple of her up on top of Horsetooth Rock! One and two. We do always pull the pack for any tough scrambles or bouldering.)
Is Koa wearing a mountainsmith?
Re Ruffwear, I got an expensive ruffwear collar once and was skeptical the plastic hardware was sturdy enough, but it ended up holding up just fine. I have gotten a couple of the ruffwear Approach packs and they have been quite rugged. The important thing is to strive for a y type yoke and make sure the pack puts the weight over the shoulders, not the loin. The Ruffwear packs do both and fit my Cairns, my greyhound cross, and my lab mix in the appropriate sizes.
Not trying to contradict you, simkie, just that the packs I have bought have been outstanding.
There are some good webpages out there about packing, with conservative weight carrying recs. I think Dog Scouts of America has good info on the importance of the y harness for packing and guidelines for amt of wt carried.
Yea, Ruffwear does have good equipment. I agree.
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