backpack

That one looks perfect for what I'd be using it for too. 
Willow is just about 50 lbs, but has a lot of fur so looks bigger.  Do
you think it would be too big?? 

ORIGINAL: willowchow

Which reminds me, I must now look into doggie boots! (anybody know much about those?)

Honestly, if you really want to try them I'll give you ours. She never wore them past just trying them on. She wouldn't even walk in them. She's 45-50 lbs. I forget exactly what size but I'll look when I get home. If you want them PM me and I'll send them to you. Really, they are brand new sitting in my closet.

houndlove, I think I may have learned about Wolfpacks from you originally []. (I've learned a lot of stuff form you, actually, thanks!!)

Have you used the bigger Wolfpacks?

I haven't used the bigger ones. We don't do serious overnight hiking with the dogs so I don't really have much use for them. I have a huge Outward Hound one that I have never once used and it's so mammoth, it only fits Conrad. It's got a million straps and buckles and closures and a trillion pockets, it's just way too much work. It lives in the basement.

Lori, Marlowe weights 50-55 lbs. and the Saddlebag fits him great. I wouldn't go any smaller than about 40 lbs. with that one and it only comes in the one size. But it is adjustable all the way up to pretty large dogs--Conrad's 95 lbs. and it fits him with some extra room to spare to go even larger if I ever, like, adopt a Newf!

ETA that the perfect water bottle for the Saddlebag (and I got hipped to this by another Saddlebag user) is the Platypus .5 liter bottle--2 of them, one for each side. They fit perfectly in the pockets and are just a great design anyway because they are collapsable so after you drink the water the bottles are flat and you've got more room in your pack. You can get Platypus bottles at most outdoorsy stores, I got mine at REI. I can also speak from personal experience that the Saddlebag can carry 4 cans of soup or beans. It's what I load Marlowe up with when I want to really give him a work out. []

ORIGINAL: Ixas_girl

Trevell - how is Huntington Bog Beach? I've been curious - it's off leash, right? Is it like one big doggie park with lots of poo? [8D]

Yes, it is off leash.  It's a stretch of beach about a mile or so long.  There are no fences, but a cliff divides the beach from the parking lot and PCH.  Of course with any dog park you have to watch your step, but it wasn't a huge problem the times I've been there.

How much was your ruffwear pack? Also, how does the dog drink form the bladders? I saw a doggie camelback, and I wondered how the dog would drink from it?!

The pack was $80.  Yes, it's expensive, but I did a little searching and this seemed like the best one to me.  The dog doesn't actually drink from the bladders.  They each have a valve to empty the water into a drinking container.  I use one of those collapsible fabric water bowles.

Your pupper sure is cute [] The beach we've been going to is Leo Carillo, at the north end of Malibu. Dogs are allowed on leash, and it's a camping beach, though we havent camped there yet.

Thanks! 

Yeah, the outward hound I bought is the one Milan uses on his show, good for the daily walks. Because of the way it fits, I don't see keeping it on Ixa for hours. The wolf pack seems pricey, but good gear like pack and boots are worth putting money into, IMO. I want to do some 3 day pack trips this summer, so I need her equipment to be bomber.

Which reminds me, I must now look into doggie boots! (anybody know much about those?)

I've never used them, but ruffwear has them too.

ORIGINAL: houndlove
ETA that the perfect water bottle for the Saddlebag (and I got hipped to this by another Saddlebag user) is the Platypus .5 liter bottle--2 of them, one for each side. They fit perfectly in the pockets and are just a great design anyway because they are collapsable so after you drink the water the bottles are flat and you've got more room in your pack. You can get Platypus bottles at most outdoorsy stores, I got mine at REI.

Cool!  I think the platypus bottles would work well in my pack too.  I may have to replace the mylar bag bladders that came with mine and try them out.

Oh yeah.. another thing that's cool about the one I got is that you can unclip and remove the saddlebags without having to remove the entire harness.  This makes things much easier on hikes when your dog needs some rest.

Thanks!!  I'm definately going to order one! 
Now, if it would stop raining maybe we could use all our cool stuff.

Here's the one I got for Chop.  I got it at Target, but it's Eddie Bauer Pets.  I like the color (not so fond of the bright red and blue ones, not that it matters) and the size.  It has comfortable but breathable Gortex padding across the top.  I like the reflective strips.  As an ex-student who never had a car and walked everywhere, you can never have too much reflective material!  My only complaint just looking at it is that there's a ring on the top that's plastic, why not metal?  Not that I plan on attaching a lead to a backpack, but maybe a beacon light or something.  It was only $14.99.

I don't have the dog yet, so I put it on some pillows for show.  The bottom one is it all splayed out.

Someone asked in the above post how much weight to put in the pack.....
 
If you are starting with an overall healthy dog, the weight in the pack should be 20% of the dogs weight.  For every ercent your dog is overweight (over his ideal body weight), reduce this number by 1%.  If your dog is more than 20% over his ideal body weight, do NOT use a back pack...and get'm out exercising.  We use packs on the treadmill and on walks and this weight seems to be the most effective.
 

Thanks Mic.

That Edie Bauer pack is really nice and I like the color too.  But, I'm going to order an orange wolf pack saddle bag.  We hike in a management area that allows hunting during certain times of the year.  So, the orange is required during the season for humans and dogs.   Don't want Willow mistaken for a black bear in the woods!!
 
I just ordered an orange WolfPack Saddle Bag.  I think it's going to be perfect for what I need. 
Thanks!!!

I'd like to get one for Zeus.  I'm sure he would feel all important in it.  But I worry about his age.(almost 13)   He is a bit (not badly) arthritic.

So...I am not sure if I should take that route or not.  It would come in handy though.  He could carry stuff and I wouldn't have to. We do a lot of camping, hiking and such.

ORIGINAL: JM

I'd like to get one for Zeus.  I'm sure he would feel all important in it.  But I worry about his age.(almost 13)   He is a bit (not badly) arthritic.

So...I am not sure if I should take that route or not.  It would come in handy though.  He could carry stuff and I wouldn't have to. We do a lot of camping, hiking and such.

 
Mic makes a very good point about adding weight to the pack. However, a lightweight, empty pack can still help the dog focus on "carrying" something, and I think this alone can be helpful in keeping the dog a bit more focused during a structured walk, IMO.

I'd like to get one for Zeus. I'm sure he would feel all important in it. But I worry about his age.(almost 13) He is a bit (not badly) arthritic.

So...I am not sure if I should take that route or not. It would come in handy though. He could carry stuff and I wouldn't have to. We do a lot of camping, hiking and such.

I would try a smaller, cheaper one.  Just let him carry the near-weightless stuff like poop bags, a blinky light (if you go out in the dark), a first aid kit, etc.  If he didn't like it, you could probably return it as long as you try it right away.  If Chop hates hers, I'll donate it to the behaviorist's programs at the shelter.

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