Safe weight to pack/carry

**VegasHR** · 02-17-2008, 10:20 AM

I have been hiking with my year old male Dobe, we hike 2-3 times a week about 3 miles each time. I would like to start having him carry a pack. First, where do I get one that is good and will stay in place? Second, how much can he carry in the early stages? I am not looking for him to carry alot, maybe just a few bottles of water for him and one or two for myself. I know when I get a pack he has to carry it empty and get used to it. My goal is to be albe to hike longer with him and when the weather is warmer then he can have a drink along with him. Now I bring water and he drinks when we get back to the truck. By the way the area that we hike has alot of hills, large and small. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Dobemom2b · 02-17-2008, 11:00 AM

Dog Backpacks That one will get you started, if you use the search engine for 'backpack' you can find more.

link80reid · 02-17-2008, 01:03 PM

Never put very much weight in them. I usually use his food/water and a toy. I purchased a Kelty dog pack a few years ago, it was the best I could find. I have used Kelty products since I was a kid, and they have never let me down. I have put it through hell and it is as good as new. Here's a link.

Kelty | Backpacks

robinb · 02-17-2008, 02:47 PM

I don't put much weight in them either. You do want to have both sides equally balanced for sure. I have both the Ruffwear Palisades and a old Wenaha Pack. Both feature a harness that can stay on the dog while you remove the pack.

The Ruffwear harness is nicer and and it also has water bladders in each side.

flacrwdog · 07-01-2008, 10:55 PM

How much weight is "not too much"? My boy turns one next week and we walk and hike a lot. I am getting a pack tomorrow and I thought Id throw about four pounds in there to start and gradually work him up to about 10% of his body weight (he weighs 80+ lbs). Does that sound about right?

Julie W · 07-01-2008, 11:05 PM

The backpacks I like the best can be found here:
Ruff Wear Products for Dogs On The Go

**berkshire** · 07-02-2008, 12:10 AM

I was reading guidlines for packing with dogs. I think it was on the Traildog group (Traildog : A list for hiking & backpacking dogs)...can't remember specifically. They suggested that after training and conditioning, an adult dog can carry 20-25% of its body weigth. I think they suggested starting with small amounts (maybe 10%) and working up. So in an adult dog, start with 8 pounds (approximately 1 gallon water), and work up to a comfortable weight.

Obviously, I'm no expert, and each dog is different. This is just a random factoid that I recall.