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Post by hikerjer on Aug 7, 2015 12:29:08 GMT -8
I'm taking my dog on a 5-day backpack trip next week. She's hiked with me before but never carried her own pack. She got a good dog pack for Christmas and this will be the first time she's used it. Are you aware of any guidelines of what the pack weight to her own weight ratio is? I don't want to over burden her. She's a healthy three-year-old border collie in relatively good shape.
Thank you and my dog thanks you as well.
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Post by graywolf on Aug 7, 2015 12:48:51 GMT -8
Hazel Doggie has backpacked hundreds of miles and I have always kept her pack weight to 20% or less of her weight. She's a german sheperd/rottweiler mix and weighs 75 lbs. so I limit her to 15 lbs. at the most.
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Post by trinity on Aug 7, 2015 13:08:25 GMT -8
25% of the dog's weight is what I've always heard. I've never weighed my dog's pack, but even fully loaded for 5 days I can't imagine it weighed much more than 10-15 pounds, he's a 70# dog. You can only get so much in those packs. I usually carry his food for him, since it is often in a bear can with mine.
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Post by packdad on Aug 7, 2015 16:28:43 GMT -8
25% is good for people too. What about horses mules and lamas?
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Post by Crockett on Aug 8, 2015 9:54:43 GMT -8
I researched that when I first got Corky her pack. 20-25% seems to be the consensus for a young, healthy and fit dog. Less for older partners and also some breeds are better suited to the task than others. Corky carries her own kibble, bowl and bedding and is well below 20% mark. And that includes Evil Monkey.  ![]() One word of advice: Be sure to check everything regularly because dogs are more apt to soldier on than complain. One trip last year I decided to push on to the trailhead rather than make camp as planned due to the constant rain that day. Corky kept on passing me and then slowing up. I figured she was just tired as I was and wanted to get out of the rain but when we got to the car and I removed her pack, I saw that the forward strap had chaffed her by the armpit right to the skin. Poor girl got her own burger and fries as a treat on the way home that night. |
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Post by hikerjer on Aug 8, 2015 10:48:36 GMT -8
Ya, that's my biggest worry. Dog's really can't complain when it's hurting or things aren't right. Constant checking is a must, I would reckon. Maddie's (my dog) weight is right a 51 lbs and she'll be carrying five pounds - food, bowl, leash, toy. Shouldn't be a problem although it is her first time out with a pack although we've done a few practice walks around town.
As always, thanks for all the advice.
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Post by Crockett on Aug 8, 2015 15:27:49 GMT -8
practice walks around town Yes, that's important too. Start by putting it on empty and make it fun - play, treats. Then start putting it on for walks. Empty at first and then add some weight bit by bit. And don't be surprised when she bumps into everything for a while. Mine still does that whenever she starts out. Not used to the extra width. |
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amaruq
Trail Wise!
Call me Little Spoon
Posts: 1,264 
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Post by amaruq on Aug 8, 2015 16:05:51 GMT -8
This thread is adorable and makes me wish my living situation allowed for a canine companion.
Needs more photos.
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Post by 1camper on Aug 8, 2015 20:19:46 GMT -8
 You want to consider what kind on surface the dog will be walking on. Nice trails are one thing...granite is something else. I took my dog up mt Madison last year and had to carry her pack down. The extra weight cut her feet. |
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BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 13,372
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Post by BigLoad on Aug 8, 2015 21:06:13 GMT -8
... The extra weight cut her feet. Boots can help with that. Quite a few of the dogs I've hiked with in rocky places wear boots at least some of the time. |
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Post by llamero on Aug 8, 2015 21:09:48 GMT -8
25% is good for people too. What about horses mules and lamas? About the same for llamas, but usually it works out to about 16%. I've started with 30% on well conditioned, prime age llamas for two week trips, but normally I don't need near that much gear and I certainly don't want to grind them down before their time. Sounds like 20-25% is universal. |
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Post by graywolf on Aug 9, 2015 5:43:01 GMT -8
Because we do most of our hiking in the desert southwest Hazel always has a 1 liter bottle of water in each side bag along with a collapsible bowl. She also always has four boots for when we have to cross lava fields or other terrain that might cut her pads.
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Post by 1camper on Aug 9, 2015 6:22:13 GMT -8
Ya, my wife went to the trouble of knitting her some nice booties (she has very small feet for a 50 pound dog) but she thinks they look stupid and won't wear em.
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randypenny
Trail Ready!
Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
Posts: 8
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Post by randypenny on Aug 16, 2015 11:31:15 GMT -8
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Post by ecocentric on Aug 16, 2015 12:07:37 GMT -8
I used a product similar to this for my dog. TuffootDogs are hard on packs as they rub them against rocks that they are used to passing with with ease. It may make for some amusing moments when they get stuck between obstacles, but can be a problem on narrow ledges. If your dog is a swimmer, you may want to be careful on stream crossings. |
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