Canine Backpacking Gear

Fit your dog with the correct size backpack. There are many canine backpacks on the market so spend some time finding the right one for your pooch. Most packs have adjustable straps that allow you to shorten or lengthen the ones that fit around the dog’s midsection and over his front shoulders.

Measure your dog around the waist just below the largest part of his abdomen. Compare this measurement to the ones listed on the backpack; it should fall somewhere in the middle of the measurement range. Then measure from the same area on your dog’s back upward to a spot between his shoulder blades.

Choose a pack that accommodates these two measurements for the greatest comfort for your dog. While it's permissible to use a smaller, lighter-weight pack, avoid choosing one that exceeds these dimensions or it may slip and twist on your dog.

Look for a cubic-inch size that correlates to your dog’s physical strength. An afghan hound and a Rottweiler may wear the same size backpack but their physical endurance levels are very different. Most packs display an inner cubic-inch dimension to let you know how much the pack will hold.

Select a pack with a quick-release function to remove your dog’s pack easily when you stop to rest on the trail. For more comfort, choose one with compression straps that center the weight of the pack forward, over your dog’s shoulders if he will be carrying a large load.

Pack food, bowl and other items but choose small portable versions to reduce the weight. Collapsible nylon bowls add very little weight. Choose a high-calorie dog food with no fillers in order to provide adequate nourishment within a smaller portion of food. If your dog will be carrying his own water, plan your route to refill his bottle often instead of making him carry a heavy water load.