I want to buy saya a backpack but I dont know what size or which one to get. I was looking into the ruffwears but I wonder if they are worth it for me. Saya and I will not be hiking or doing any heavy activities anytime soon, I just want a backpack for her to have when we go on walks that way she has a job to do. Any suggestions on which one I should get and what size?

Each different company has different sizes, so the size would depend on what you buy. We have one Ruff Wear backpack and two Outward Hound backpacks and I like them all. Outward Hound is definitely cheaper though! I think I got mine for like $26 or so, whereas the RuffWear ones are over $100. They're good quality too. I haven't had any issues with it and it doesn't feel "cheap" or anything. You can also check ebay for RuffWear gear and get slightly used stuff. Our pack was slightly used on ebay and I got it for $30. Its just like new

I'd suggest going with a Ruffwear pack. I've heard too many complaints about Outward Hound packs not lasting to even consider it.

If you're looking for a backpack to put on Saya on walks and maybe put a little weight in it, here's an inexpensive one.
http://www.kingwholesale.com/Shopping/ProductInfo.cfm?Item=26299

Not sure how long it will lasts, but it sounds like you're not going to do much with it?

I wouldn't bother with a RW pack if you will not be putting it through much wear. Any backpack should be able to hold up a few lbs in the pack on walks.

Thanks for the suggestions:-) val I did considered getting the ruffwear but I was wondering if it was worth the money considering the fact that I won't be hiking at all it is just to use on usual walks. Claudia you are correct I wont do too much with it just routine stuff.

When using a backpack, how much weight can I expect my 50 lb husky to carry? I take her hiking and am thinking of taking her backpacking too, but I don't want to overload her. Thanks

10% of body weight is a good rule of thumb, but definitely work up to it. Where are you guys thinking of going? Now that we're up here in MD I want to get down to Shenandoah and some of the other good hiking spots.

blueeyedghost wrote:

10% of body weight is a good rule of thumb, but definitely work up to it. Where are you guys thinking of going? Now that we're up here in MD I want to get down to Shenandoah and some of the other good hiking spots.

Hmmm - we are working towards 25% per the WPD title with SHCA...I didn't think it would be dangerous to do 25. After consumption of food and water it will end up around 10 but, we had been instructed to work towards 25%


Is that overloading?

I could be wrong, I just remember reading 10%. Which, for a 50 lb dog would be 5 lbs. I'll go back and research it again.

Not saying you are wrong dear! Just asking:)

mheath0429 wrote:

blueeyedghost wrote:

10% of body weight is a good rule of thumb, but definitely work up to it. Where are you guys thinking of going? Now that we're up here in MD I want to get down to Shenandoah and some of the other good hiking spots.

Hmmm - we are working towards 25% per the WPD title with SHCA...I didn't think it would be dangerous to do 25. After consumption of food and water it will end up around 10 but, we had been instructed to work towards 25%


Is that overloading?

I think it would be overloading your dog. The site you are referencing is what your dog needs to be able to complete in order to be recognized as part of the working dog program.

If you start out with a pack that is 25% of your dogs weight, that would be a big load, even if you are going to lessen the pack weight eventually.

Try carrying a pack on your back that is equal to 25% of your body weight starting out and go for 10 miles while you lessen your pack to 10% of your body weight. Especially if you're packing for the first time, you'll be in pain.

Even if your dog is in good physical shape, why put that kind of stress on them which can stress their joints especially later in life.

I can't find the site anymore, but I know I read 10% of the dogs body weight is good guideline for what a dog shouldn't carry more than. If you're dog is in good physical shape and has been hiking consistently and carries a pack consistently with weight, maybe you could go a few more lbs that 10%, but I wouldn't load more than 15% of the dog weight at most.

It's from SHCA and its the requirements for WPD -

http://www.shca.org/shcahp6e.htm

mheath0429 wrote:

It's from SHCA and its the requirements for WPD -

http://www.shca.org/shcahp6e.htm

Unless you are going to have your dog in a working dog program, I wouldn't load a pack that heavy.

Absolutely - but we are working towards that..if it's not safe I won't do it, hence why I am asking

TreemanAndy wrote:

When using a backpack, how much weight can I expect my 50 lb husky to carry? I take her hiking and am thinking of taking her backpacking too, but I don't want to overload her. Thanks

blueeyedghost wrote:

10% of body weight is a good rule of thumb, but definitely work up to it. Where are you guys thinking of going? Now that we're up here in MD I want to get down to Shenandoah and some of the other good hiking spots.

Meredith is correct. Work up to 10% of your dog's body weight. This means that 5lbs would be what your dog's pack would weigh. Once you get your dog in shape and used to carrying weight, you could go a little past 10% of your dog's body weight. I will have Storm and Ginger carry their own water when we're hiking.

Just fyi 1 gallon of water is 8.35lbs.

Thanks everyone! That helps out a lot. The weight of water helps out a lot too.

joining in late. i have the ruff wear approach for Khuno:



it works very well. holds a few bottles of water and some other odds and ends of things. very sturdy if you pick up the dog from the handle. It doesn't hurt khuno at all when i need to do it to lift him over some obstacles that he can't get up by himself.

where in MD are you located exactly? i'm right in Baltimore city. I typically will take Khuno up to bel air to walk him on some of the park trails up that way (Gunpowder falls)

I'm in Frederick MD.

So I ended up going to the local outfitter and got an Alpha Dog pack from Granite Gear. The sales person used it for their dog and liked it a lot so I thought I'd give it a try. Looking forward to take Roxy out in it this weekend!

When I start taking Loki out backpacking I will be putting 100 ounces of water into his backpack. 100 ounces equals approximately 6.5lbs and 10% of his weight.

Gunnersmatejmac wrote:

When I start taking Loki out backpacking I will be putting 100 ounces of water into his backpack. 100 ounces equals approximately 6.5lbs and 10% of his weight.

If he is not used to hiking with weight in his pack, I would start out with a little less water working up to 100 ounces over a few hikes.

cmanding wrote:

Gunnersmatejmac wrote:

When I start taking Loki out backpacking I will be putting 100 ounces of water into his backpack. 100 ounces equals approximately 6.5lbs and 10% of his weight.

If he is not used to hiking with weight in his pack, I would start out with a little less water working up to 100 ounces over a few hikes.

Thank you for the heads up. I thought it would be ok because I thought the normal starting weight is 10% of their weight.

I had a meeting for an area Siberian club, and I asked about WPD and proper pack weights on hikes. We have a couple of people specialize (10 or more years organizing hikes and WPD hikes) in WPD and basic hiking and I asked about pack weights, because there isn't alot of good information available. I was assured by all of them that a healthy, 2 year old Siberian can handle 10% without working up to it and 25% on excursions (when I asked frequency they said roughly 1x a month is not being trained) without any negative effects. Quote "Well, they are bred to pull and if they can pull humans, including those who walk them, 5lbs in a pouch is nothing." A siberian 18 mos. and up should only carry 10% until 2 years of age. They advised against hiking with packs before that age.

However, if the dog is overweight, underweight, under the age of two or exhibits any kind of pain relating to shoulds/hips/joints, tread cautiously. That being said, your normal average dog should be more than capable, according to the people i talked to last night.

Just some food for thought, I love to share the information I get form all the pros I meet at these meetings - sometimes I feel like I am such a noob after talking to all of them.

Just for me, I think pulling from their chest vs. carry weight on their backs are a little different.

Use your own judgement. Each dog is different. You know your dogs best and what physical shape they are in.

Personally, I would rather work up to weight so their joints and muscles are not stressed or pulled. I take into consideration the difficulty of the hike and terrain. I like to take it easy on my dogs at first and working up to physical activity and strength. My dogs are also a little older and Storm does not have the metabolism nor was he ever in the physical shape most huskies are through the first 6 years of life.

Talking to pros who work their dogs on a regular basis is great to get info, however, my dogs are not working dogs so I personally couldn't start them out as they would or could compare my dogs to theirs.