Backpacks for Dogs

[Boxer*Mom]

If you have one where did you purchase it and at what cost? I would like to get one for Ike, it doesn't have to be a heavy duty thing, just something with a few compartments. His girth is about 31.5in. sitting, his length is about 23in, and he weighs around 65-70 lbs., so I guess that would be a size large? There are not any big pet stores around here, so I will probably be looking to buy online. Thanks for any help

 

[Meggie]

Check eBay. I did a quick search for "Dog Backpack" and a whole slew of them came up.

Psst, don't tell, ok? I promised my husband "Cross my heart hope to die" that I would stay away from eBay!

 

[Sunnypup]

I paid about $60 for mine, and it is pretty decent. You can get them cheaper, like $30 if you go to a petsmart or something. I got mine at an outfitters, but they also sell them at REI, and I am sure in other big outdoors stores, maybe in a cabellas catalog too I'd think.

 

[Boxer*Mom]

I was on petsmart's website and i didn't find a dog back pack. Rei has a cool one for 35.99 including s&h. I'll keep looking at ebay but it lloks like most of the prices will be the same as a reatiler with the s&h. Is that about the cheapest they will be for a large dog?

 

[SummerRiot]

I've always wondered.. if your dog is in top physical shape, what is the max weight ratio they could be able to hold? is it 10% their body mass?

 

[Boxer*Mom]

hmm i don't know! i just want one for him so he can carry a water bottle, collapsible bowl, treats, dog bags, and the full dog bags, and maybe a little first aid kit. what does everyone put in their dogs pack?

 

[EliNHunter]

What's up with backpacks for dogs unless you have a mountain dog that was bred to pack? I don't get it. If I put a backpack on Hunter, he'd be PISSED

 

[Dakotah_2009]

Don't go to Cabelas..they are VERY expensive!!!!!!
BUt I would like to get one for Dallas when he gets older so we can go hiking/camoing together!

 

[Boxer*Mom]

What's up with backpacks for dogs unless you have a mountain dog that was bred to pack? I don't get it. If I put a backpack on Hunter, he'd be PISSED

It's not like he'd be carrying a weeks supply of food and water on his back with hiking gear and ropes.

 

[Sunnypup]

OOOH Sunny LOVES his pack. He looks so proud with it on. He's more obediant and gets all excited when he sees it come out of the garage. Last time he carried enough food for 2 days, plus snacks and a few toys. There is freeze dried dog food you can buy if you want to go on longer trips and cut down on weight, or go with a similar formula to what you have for your dog now but go with the "high energy" version or puppy formula for higher calories in less weight. I think a large pack would be perfect Boxer Mom. They are nearly infinatly adjustable. Sunny's is medium cuz the small just looked silly on him, and was a hair too small to be comfortable. Ruff Wear puts out a good bag as does Mountain Hardware. Mountain Hardware's is the most padded of all of them but has fewer individual pockets, just two big ones, one on either side, so you have to be careful about not overloading. Just make sure you associate the bag with fun and treats, not a ton of weight and a boring time I think your pup will have a BLAST. OH, and be careful not to overload as (duh, you know this but I'll say it anyway) it can increase injuries just like with a human. (bigger they are the harder they fall)

 

[EliNHunter]

It's not like he'd be carrying a weeks supply of food and water on his back with hiking gear and ropes.

Then what the heck would he be carrying on his back that I couldn't carry for him? And he would not be able to jump and run and be a dog?

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

I don't think there is anything wrong with having your dog wear a pack and carry things. I have been considering getting one for when I bring one of the dogs out for a few hours and don't want to have to carry a bowl, treats, and extra leash and all that other stuff. There's nothing wrong with them carrying it - it's all light stuff anyways. They can still be dogs!!! And it's kind of like a job for them. They have to carry their stuff around LOL.

 

[arishaun]

Petsmart does have them.....

They only have one brand and type, but this looks like a nice one that would work well. Comes in medium and large.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/prod...<>ast_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1130466964914

Jenn

 

[Boxer*Mom]

Then what the heck would he be carrying on his back that I couldn't carry for him? And he would not be able to jump and run and be a dog?

Because more than likely you would already be carrying enough stuff in your own backpack. Plus they can still run and jump, it doesn't stop them for being mobile or only just walking with it on. And I don't want to carry around his excrement on top of my snacks, he can have his own separate compartment for that in his pack!

 

[Boxer*Mom]

They only have one brand and type, but this looks like a nice one that would work well. Comes in medium and large.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/prod...<>ast_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1130466964914

Jenn

Cool!! thanks

 

[Boxer*Mom]

OOOH Sunny LOVES his pack. He looks so proud with it on. He's more obediant and gets all excited when he sees it come out of the garage. Last time he carried enough food for 2 days, plus snacks and a few toys. There is freeze dried dog food you can buy if you want to go on longer trips and cut down on weight, or go with a similar formula to what you have for your dog now but go with the "high energy" version or puppy formula for higher calories in less weight. I think a large pack would be perfect Boxer Mom. They are nearly infinatly adjustable. Sunny's is medium cuz the small just looked silly on him, and was a hair too small to be comfortable. Ruff Wear puts out a good bag as does Mountain Hardware. Mountain Hardware's is the most padded of all of them but has fewer individual pockets, just two big ones, one on either side, so you have to be careful about not overloading. Just make sure you associate the bag with fun and treats, not a ton of weight and a boring time I think your pup will have a BLAST. OH, and be careful not to overload as (duh, you know this but I'll say it anyway) it can increase injuries just like with a human. (bigger they are the harder they fall)

Thanks! Yeah he's basically just going to carry a few things in it, that are not bulky.

 

[Mordy]

the packs available at regular pet stores are usually not very practical. most of them have a strap across the chest, which restricts movement, and aren't of a shape that works out very well with a dog's anatomy.

personally i bought a kelty pack, the chuckwagon model. it's a nice pack and works well, but the sherpa has the added advantage of the pack being detachable from the harness. it has worked really well for me in the past 2 years.

i got mine at REI, the large size would probably be the one you need.

 

[Mordy]

I've always wondered.. if your dog is in top physical shape, what is the max weight ratio they could be able to hold? is it 10% their body mass?

if a dog is in great shape and conditioned to pack, up to 33% (1/3) of its own body weight. 20-25% to start out.

if packing at maximum capacity and long distance, protective booties may become necessary for rough terrain tho, since the pads are exposed to more wear that way.

 

[Sunnypup]

if a dog is in great shape and conditioned to pack, up to 33% (1/3) of its own body weight. 20-25% to start out.

if packing at maximum capacity and long distance, protective booties may become necessary for rough terrain tho, since the pads are exposed to more wear that way.

I was going to say that but I SO didn't want to be wrong about it

As for the booties they are GOOD STUFF but try them out on some trails near home for a short while before you take them on the long haul so you can get the adjustments right. I didn't strap one of Sunny's on right so I ended up losing one and had to take them ALL off so he didn't have uneven traction. I'm about to contact the company and see if they'll replace just one for a bit of $$ less then what the whole set cost (only 30$ btw, not too much) .

 

[Boxer*Mom]

It's between these 2 at REI

$30.00

$49.95