[Saddle Up]

This is to all you hikers.
My Doberman needs a job soooo.. I was thinking that when we go for walks
putting a small pack on him. Nothing to heavy just something to carry our
bottle water, his treats and little stuff in. I have been looking on line for medium packs. There is so much to chose from.
I don't want it to rub him. Maybe some of you have on that fits the Doberman breed well. You could point me in the correct direction.
Where to get one. Oh and Koda is a Medium size Doberman.
On other thing how do you get them use to it? Please share your story with me and pictures to.. Thanks

 

[Chaz]

This is my last Doberman, Mavis, wearing her Granite Gear Dog Pack:

And here is Half-Dobie (and half something else) Katie wearing a different type:

Here's a link for Mavis' pack:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...productId=47641338&parent_category_rn=4500452

She was a good-sized girl, and she wore a large sized pack.

I got my packs at REI. Here's what they have now:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Sea...&cm_re=TOC_Dog_Packs&vcat=REI_SSHP_PICNIC_TOC

If you have an REI near you, they will let you bring your Dobie in the store with you to try on packs.

I really like the Granite Gear model. It's easy to put on and adjust.

They say dogs can comfortably carry about a quarter to a third of their weight. Even if you filled your pack with water you would be hard pressed to exceed the weight recomendations.

They will get used to wearing a pack real quick if they know they're carrying treats. I used to have to hide the dog packs fron Mavis. If she could get to the pack at home, she would carry it around in her mouth, set it up on the sofa, and look at me like she expected to go for a hike.

You may also want to check out collapsible dog dishes:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Sea...og_Doggie_Dinnerware&vcat=REI_SSHP_PICNIC_TOC

My current Dobie, Mensa is still too young (11 months) to be carrying a pack, I'm going to wait until she's at least a year-and-a-half.

I hope this helps!

One more thing; You don't want to have your Dobie carry anything that can break (like a camera or a bottle of wine) or anything that might be ruined if it gets wet.

 

[Chaz]

One more thing;

You will want to carry Dog-Boots on any hike longer than a mile or so, in case something happens to one of his paws.

I check my dog's feet every mile, or any time they seem to look like they're having trouble.

Sierra Trading Post has Ruff Wear Boots on sale. Half Price!

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/product.aspx?baseno=99901&CN=Ruff-Wear-Bark'n-Boots-

These are the ones we use. Carry a roll of athletic tape (like the type used to tape ears) along too, just in case.

 

[Saddle Up]

Chaz Thanks so much, what great pictures..Nice SMILE on Mavis, The collapsible dish is also a great idea, I'm going to add that to my list of things to get. Your dogs look like there having so much fun! and ready to go. I will check out the websites to see if one will work for Koda. Thanks for the tip- I will not but any that will break in there.

 

[Saddle Up]

Paw boots that to cute :cool2:
I will have to add that to my list.

 

[Chaz]

And something else;

It's important to have an equal weight in each side of the packs, so it rides level.

What I do sometimes if I notice one side riding lower than the other, instead of fooling around swapping stuff from one side to the other, I just pick up a rock and put that in the side that's riding too high.

 

[brumwolf]

When it comes to hiking with dobes,you are the forum's nominated expert Chaz,wish i'd had some of those packs when we took the girls up to the mountains.