Is a backpack a good idea?

[Eder C.]

Hey everyone! So West is a little over a year now, and ive been thinking about getting him a backpack for when go on walks or hikes. I wanted to get your thoughts on this; is I a good or bad idea? And if yall have one, which one do you have? Thanks!

[doggiedad]

i wouldn't put a backpack on my dog untill
he was 2 yrs old or so. my dog weighs
90 lbs but i won't put more than 5 or 6 pounds
in his pack. my dog has an Ollydog pack but i'm
going to buy him an Approach pack. i carry a pack,
my GF carries a pack so the dog doesn't have to
carry much (the pack is for show). find out how much
weight a dog can carry safely. i would use the charts
as a guide line but my dog will carry less weight than
what's recommended.

[Chicagocanine]

I agree, I would wait until he's a little older. After that it's fine but be sure to get him used to the empty pack first, and then slowly build up to a little weight. The guidelines I've heard vary but the most common one I hear is you can go up to 10-15% of the dog's weight. Personally my dogs never carry more than about 2-5 pounds.

[GSKnight]

I got one... the Ruff Wear Approach™

Ruff Wear Approach™ Dog Pack - ****'s Sporting Goods

Used it a few times... then just sort of stopped... no reason in particular.

[Ucdcrush]

I use them every day on my 2 dogs, carrying 10 (85 lb dog) and 12 (65 lb dog) pounds. We are not running with them, just walking. I use 1 granite gear pack and one ollydog pack, both work fine and are easy to put on. Once the front strap is adjusted for the dog, all that needs to be done is slide the backpack over the dog's head and secure the underbelly strap. Got both packs at REI.

I would not hesitate to use one on a 1 year old dog, a 20oz water bottle on each side and maybe some chips for hiking, that would be fine. That is under 3 lbs. If you are stressed about too much weight, just have him carry chips, cookies and doggie bags and you can carry the water. But really that little weight is nothing to worry about.

[chicagojosh]

Cody has backpacked for 10 miles a day with about 10 to 15 pounds in his pack. He has a Ruffwear Palisades pack. I loved this pack because it has it's own hydration pouches. We were doing a 3 day 3 night hike, with somewhat limited water sources, so I had to carry (and Cody) had to carry a lot of water weight.

He was only 17 months old at this time. I took him on 1 walk for a couple miles with some tshirts in the pack to get him used to it. from there is was right into the 10-15 pounds. honestly it didn't even phase him. he was sprinting with it on. going from the front of our group to the back constantly. just running circles around us. off course we all had 40 pound packs.

anyway, Cody could handle 10 - 15 pounds with ease for 3 days straight at 10 miles a day with lots of elevation change. BUT, i did jog with him a lot before we went so he was well conditioned... here are a couple pics

[elisabeth_00117]

Stark started wearing an EMPTY backpack at around 10-11 months old.

At about 18 months, I started putting a small amount of weight in it - keys, poop bags, phone.

Now at almost 3 years old, he's an old pro.. lol. He has two different bags for different things, he has a larger bag for day trips or long hiking trips where I need him to carry more and then he has the slimmer one for fun outtings or hikes.

Zefra is a little crazy still and I don't think a backpack would hold up.. LMAO... so we will wait awhile for that one.

[Bismarck]

i agree your dog is a little young to have a loaded backpack.

but if you get one, it'll get him used to wearing one, and when he's old enough, you can start putting weights in it (water, sand etc..)

[Eder C.]

Wow thanks guy! A lot of great info from all of you!!

[Gator113]

Hi.....

I have an 80# 3 year old GSD. He is my first GSD and I've been told that he may continue to grow for another 2 years. Ruff Gear's chart indicates that he can wear either a medium or large size.- Palisades. His girth measurement is 32".

What size is on Cody????

I don't plan any long range or overnight hiking, so I don't need a ton of room. He will carry a few of his basic things and perhaps some of my light items, wallet, keys, water meds, lunch, handgun, etc.

I live about 4 hours from the nearest store that sells Ruff Gear, so I can't just go in and try them on my boy. I ordered the medium over the net and I have been told that I can exchange it for the large if I wanted to. The medium seems to fit okay, but now I am thinking I'd rather a large.... but I have no idea how a large will fit and look.

Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

Dan