[Page 2] Backpacks on Giant Breed Dogs?

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Backpacks on Giant Breed Dogs?

(Page 2 of 2: Viewing entries 11 to 19)
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Montecristo- (Monte)

That'll do, pig

Barked: Wed Jun 6, '07 6:59pm PST


	For those of you who use backpacks with the dogs, regardless of dog size or occupation...what have you found to be a quality product? Can you provide company name/product/website and maybe even approximate costs for your pack? I am pretty POSITIVE my Saint should be able to carry a little water and a keychain. He better. I keep telling him he better get himself a job, to earn all that food he eats - BOL!

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Shassi

Kneel,- supplicant!

Barked: Wed Jun 6, '07 11:21pm PST


	Bravewolf works at Bosley's Pet Foods and they sell stuff made by "Outward Hound" that includes backpacks. They are the "S, M, L" kind of sizing. Wolf Packs is a company I keep hearing about. No personal experience though. Another option is to make your own pack. There are patterns in the back of the book "Taking Your Dog Backpacking" by Alan & JoAnn Riley, 1979 T.F.H. Publications. The authors are or were Newfoundland owners who regularly took their dogs packing.

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Mocha Bear- (Mokie),- VGG, KPA,

CEO of Rewarding- Behaviors Dog- Training

Barked: Thu Jun 7, '07 6:12am PST


	Mocha had an Outward Hound backpack. We got it for her before she was fully grown though, and with her being a mutt, had no idea she would turn out to be smaller than we'd anticipated, so I donated it to a friend with a bigger dog. Mocha would really benefit from a packback. That girl has more energy than I can run out of her, usually!

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Hank -TD

I can burp- better than you

Barked: Thu Jun 7, '07 6:38am PST


	I have outward hound back. It's the cheapest one you can get. I guess I've paid about 20-30$ each set at PetSmart. Outward also has the ones that are padded. The one I use is not and that's one of the reason why I'm using water bottles in the pack. It's round and more comfortable.

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Takiah

197288

Barked: Thu Jun 7, '07 7:32am PST


	Mom sewed me my own backpack, but she thinks the store bought ones would probably be handier and easier. We get a lot of equipment from BlackIce Dogsledding. I don`t know how reasonable their pricing is, but they have several backpacks, and they are very good quality (Wenaha). Some of their packs are for more serious hiking, others are just for little walks or picnics. http://www.blackicedogsledding.com/page8.html As far as stress on a dog`s joints I think backpacking is fine for most breeds, although I would be careful with the longer backed breeds. Any dog can carry a bit of weight though. Humans are really not made for carrying weight on their backs either, and I have done it a lot with no long term problems or pain You just need the right equipment and you need to fit and load it properly. Always load the packs evenly, and make sure there is nothing really sticking out into the side of the dog through the pack that would be uncomfortable. If trained, and in good shape, most dogs can carry 30% of their weight, however this may not be the case for all breeds, depending.

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Sabrina

To break- injustice we- must break- silence

Barked: Thu Jun 7, '07 8:14am PST


	I didn't mean to imply that only service dogs wore backpacks-- just that I know some giant breed service dogs who wear packs all day long and they're OK with it. As to brands, the top two are www.ruffwear.com and www.wolfpacks.com . These are top of the line packs, very high quality! A close second is the pack I have, which is a Granite Gear. Oh and the Kelty Chuckwagon pack is also about that quality and probably also activedogs.com (though they are extremely expensive). The only pack I wouldn't reccomenc getting (though it seems popular here!) is the Outward Hound pack or any other pack you get at petco/petsmart. For most dogs it just doesn't distribute the weight properly and also it seems to be less high quality construction. I think the most important thing is a good fit, so if you can try a pack on before you buy that is a good idea. If you have an REI in your area they usually sell ruffwear, granite gear and kelty. While they don't allow dogs in the stores per compnay policy, if you ask them they'll usually let you bring your dog just inside the door to try packs on. The Kelty didn't fit Sabrina at all, but the grantie gear and ruffwear ones did. I chose granite gear at the time because it was a lot cheaper and the ruffwear pack didn't have a ton of features. Ruffwear now has a super awesome pack with a built in water bladder, though, that seems really nice. And the wolfpacks ones I am always impressed with. A great place to get the wolfpacks ones is from www.pupparel.com becasue they include free embroidery with the purchase price and have all kinds of fun breed designs and fun sayings that you can get put on your pack. Those two really are the top of the line. And while it won't fit a giant breed dog, wolfpacks does have a saddlebags option which is a low profile bag for lighter loads that I think is really nice. Hope that helps!

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Aina- Aloysius de- LeMaitre

work hard, play- hard

Barked: Thu Jun 7, '07 9:25am PST


	Aina didn't wear a pack until she was a fully grown adult. Even hiking was limited during that growth period. I took the same approach to backpacks for Aina as I did for myself. She has different ones to choose from depending on what we're doing. They also fit appropriately. I think that's where some of the issue can lie as to whether a giant breed should wear a pack or not. Her packs did take time to choose. Most "L" or "XL" packs didn't adjust wide and long enough for her chest. With these "smaller" packs, the weight ended up on top of the neck and/or spine. The weight should end up more at the shoulders and on both sides of the dog rather than sitting directly on the spine. Also, "L" and "XL" packs simply had larger pouches, which is not appropriate either. As for which brand, it depends on the dog. It's all about the fit. I know some people like the selection at REI but I found it very limited (we looked in there when they still allowed dogs). None of those were what we were looking for. We did better looking around at different pet stores that allow dogs and allowed us to try the packs right there before purchase.

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Josie - CGC

California Girl

Barked: Fri Jun 8, '07 11:50pm PST


	A dog's center of gravity is on the front shoulders. Backpacks should be made and fitted to put weight there. And you should only put in a bit of weight, not 20 lb.

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Ginger- ♥ my- angel

My Angel

Barked: Sat Jun 9, '07 9:44am PST


	Back packs are not supposed to sit over/put the weight on the dog's spine. It is correct that a dog's spine is not meant to carry extra weight, and an improperly fitted backpack can be harmful! However, when fitted correctly a dog pack is putting weight on the dog's shoulders and not the spine. If the pack is sitting over the spine it is not being put on correctly or it may be the wrong size. It is very important to make sure you are fitting your dog's pack properly so there is not weight on their spine. A dog's shoulders are able to carry weight easily (they pull from the shoulders), and if used properly a backpack should not cause any problems.

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(Page 2 of 2: Viewing entries 11 to 19)
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