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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on March 12, 2009 at 12:34pm

Short distance will be just fine, you want to wait till their bone structure fully developed to tackle longer distance.

We use doggy backpacks. we started using them when ours turn 1. There are no specific brands in my opinion, it really depends on the construction, compartments and features that you're looking for, some have better paddings, some have mostly mesh for vetilation, it really depends on how long is the trip and what you plan to do. We began ours with 2 half bottle with water on each side, slowly build up their stamina. We got the Ruff wear

Oh, and you may want to consult with John too :)

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on March 12, 2009 at 1:05pm

I say don't do it. The weight a corgi can carry is insignificant. The weight of a carefully-chosen dog kit is small; you take it. I'd expect a dog pack to hinder a dog's cooling (this is important), severely impede its travel through brush, slow the animal down, tire it out, and ruin the fun. I want my dog to romp free.

We are much better suited to carrying a load than a dog is. A dog must carry weight on its BACK. We carry the weight mostly on our HIPS if our pack is well-designed and we're using it right (if your pack doesn't have a good hip belt, ditch it and get a real backpack). There is the extra burden of the dog pack itself.

Remember: weight is your enemy! If you want to reduce the weight YOU must carry, I'd suggest carefully looking at how you can lighten your kit rather than asking the dog to carry some of it. Do some research on ultralight gear and you can vastly decrease your load, and it doesn't all have to be expensive fancy stuff; I get much of mine at rummage sales.

Re age: our breeder told me no big hikes until at least a year old. You want all the bones' growth plates (epiphyses) to be fused before major challenges.

Have fun! Our favorite camp spot is on top of the little peak behind Blue Lake (where our avatar was taken):

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Permalink Reply by Corgibyassociation on March 12, 2009 at 2:38pm

Oh I love your pictures, John!

Our hiking is pretty mild (I think) it's a lot of low sloped hills that is featured at the Ocomulgee Indian Mounds. The dog park in the area is kind of dodgy and after having issues of super fleas and irresponsible owners with aggressive dogs we stopped taking our Weimaraner there.

I guess, I wanted to get the Weim to help out some when we go walking in the woods. I do know that I'll have to find a life vest for Freya when we go to the beach.

Thanks for your help!

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Permalink Reply by Corgibyassociation on March 12, 2009 at 3:09pm

Can you suggest a good pack for me? I had to make shift it last time, which is better than hand carrying everything plus a leash, but still--it would help.

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Permalink Reply by Bonny on March 12, 2009 at 3:41pm

I finally found a pack small enough for my dogs at Petsmart, it's made by Outward Hound. I don't use it often, only when I can't take the dogs out for a long enough walk and need to add some extra challenge to make the most out of the shorter time. It's pretty small...my dogs are on the smaller side, and I just put a handful of whole walnuts in each side (in the shell, of course!),

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on March 12, 2009 at 6:33pm

Guidelines for a good backpack:

LIGHTWEIGHT. No unnecessary gew-gaws (cut off unneeded things). There's a balance between lightweight and durability. I'm amazed how absurdly heavy many packs are.

Good HIP BELT. This carries most of the weight on your hips. With light packs, this can be as simple as a 1" wide belly belt. Must have a quick-release. If it doesn't have a hip or belly belt, it isn't a backpack.

STERNUM STRAP. Even the lightest packs need this, even day packs; it connects the shoulder straps together across the sternum above breast-level. It should allow infrequent adjustment up-or-down. Quick-release and easy, frequent length adjustment (I'm always fussing with the tension on this). Don't get a pack without one.

SHOULDER STRAPS must be easily adjustable at the bottom AND (except for day-packs) at the top, too. Any good overnight pack will have some kind of frame, internal or external, and there must be quick-adjust straps connecting the shoulder straps to the top of the frame. Look for these; any good pack will have them.

So a good frame pack will have 6 buckles you'll be fussing with all the time. If no frame, 4.
A frame pack will also have a back-length adjustment; once you get that set right, you won't need to change it.

TOP FLAP POCKET. I'd never buy an overnight pack that didn't have a pocket I can reach without taking the pack off. This is for hat, mitts, compass, binoculars etc. Look for other pockets that you can reach without taking the pack off, maybe by slipping on arm out of the shoulder strap. Secure, handy pockets. Never put anything on the outside of your pack that you're not willing to lose. Look for a handy exterior dog-poop pocket you can reach without taking the pack off.

The pack's structural integrity should not rely on Zippers. Zippers break. Zippers are heavy.

Get something that isn't the same color as a deer or a bear (2 fatal shootings in Washington State last year). Might as well be a bright color, something you can find if you put it down.
I prefer internal-frame to external-frame packs.

Many backpackers have a small fisherman's scale to weigh gear when they're shopping (ostensible weights are always wrong) and a spreadsheet with all their gear on it.

Doesn't have to be fancy or expensive. My favorite daypack cost $1 at a yard sale, both of my big packs are hand-me-downs. A sewing machine sure helps.

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Permalink Reply by Julie on March 12, 2009 at 4:29pm

Caleb uses this one: http://www.rei.com/product/759611

We use it only when we're going to specific parks / hiking areas where he has to be kept on leash...Caleb walks with more purpose when he has his little backpack on, and it helps him stay focused. He still has a great time, but when he has to stay on leash (when he'd rather chase every squirrel he sees) it helps.

I keep my keys in one side of the pack and a handful of treats in the other. I've never come close to filling it even halfway full.

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Permalink Reply by LORRAINE on March 12, 2009 at 5:12pm

Im sorry maybe im missin the point but why would you need such a cumbersom item as these packs when it surely must restrict the dogs freedom of movement and the joy of exploration? Surely the whole idea is for you and the dog to fully enjoy ur expierience of the outdoors together with as little restriction as possible!!! End of rant !!

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on March 12, 2009 at 6:49pm

If you put a pack on your corgi, you will be performing the "Corgi Toss" maneuver much more often.

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Permalink Reply by Corgibyassociation on March 16, 2009 at 9:35am

"Corgi Toss" maneuver?

Thanks for the pack tips--I've been yard sale hunting--I may have to break down and buy a better one. I know the one I used was not a good one (it's one of those with one strap across the chest deals.)

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