What type of back packs do you guys use? What size of pack do you use and what is the weight of your dog you use it for? I would like to start packing any advice would be greatly appericated.(:

I have the Ruffwear Approach pack, love it! Size medium for Taz... Started with a couple of lbs at 1yr old and slowly increased as he grew. The basic rule of thumb is maximum load 25-30% of your dog's body weight. Just make sure to distribute the weight equally.

http://www.ruffwear.com/Approach-Pack

Thank you Anne, would you say it is bigger or smaller on Taz? How much does Taz weigh?

The pack should not be bigger than your dog, Taz is 21'' tall and about 67lbs. I think there is an old thread with pics of our dogs in packs, I will try to find it

Here is a link to another thread for "competitive backpacking", it has a few pics:
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3254

And here is a shot from one year ago of my boy with his Ruffwear pack:

Thank you Anne, I like his little boots(;, Ace is 18' tall and about 85lbs, I think have choosen the mountainsmith med. How many pounds do you have Taz carry when he wears the pack? Do you have Taz wear a seperate collar?

acer boy wrote:Thank you Anne, I like his little boots(;, Ace is 18' tall and about 85lbs, I think have choosen the mountainsmith med. How many pounds do you have Taz carry when he wears the pack? Do you have Taz wear a seperate collar?

LOL he hates the boots but it was SO cold and SO salty, his paw pads were freezing to the sidewalk and leaving little bits of skin behind I like the Ruffwear one because it has a stable pack, with padded straps under his ribs and down the center of his chest to meet underneath... this, as opposed to a straight strap across the chest, I find the pack shifts too much from side to side so the balancing becomes even more important!

In this pic he is wearing a separate collar, there is a leash clip on the pack harness but I rarely use it. The weight varies depending where/what we are doing and for how long. If it is hot I put less weight, if it's winter I put more weight. If it's a longer walk I put less weight, shorter walks more... generally between 8-12lbs.

With Aces heavier weight he could certainly handle more than my skinny bugger! 25% is roughly 20lbs so max 20lbs for your boy. I would start out with smaller weight and build up to 15lbs, for example

Is ruffwear the only pack you have owned?

So far it is the best one we've tested and I have no plans to switch. I'd tried a small "Kurgo" pack but the straps were not padded and it rubbed his armpits so I gave it away. There are several others good brands of backpacks out there though!

I think I'm going to get the approach ruffwear.

Cool! I don't think you will be disappointed... don't forget to post pics

I went a head and ordered the palisade ruffwear, I won't forget pics.
Thank you, Anne, for your help. It has been greatly appericated. (:

Ooh, that one is a nice pack! Great for serious hiking
Glad to help out!!