looking for a dog harness

I went climbing with my boyfriend and his dog last week and as much as I hate to admit it, I think the dog climbs as well or better than me. My boyfriend would like a harness of sorts that will be secure and comfortable to wear while keeping her safe when she's trying to keep up with us. We tried looking at some outdoor stores but they only carry collar style harnesses. Does anyone know who might make climbing harnesses for dogs? -Thanks

You may want to look into animal rescue equipment, I don't know what the prices would be like, but other than a custom made apparatus that would be your best bet.

I have used several harnesses for taking my dog paragliding, rock/peak climbing, and canyoneering. A childs harness from Trango works alto you may want to put it on backwards. The RuffWear Web Master harness is really good but has fastex (palstic) buckles that I worry about. My best system has been a car restraint harness for the front and I link that to a chest harness for his back end. The car harness has a handle on the back that is useful for actually picking him up when necessary as does the RuffWear.

Although I haven't tried it yet, when I saw this, I got all excited about it. The blurb on the store's site says it's for small dogs, but the company's site looks like it's made for big dogs, too.

Harness with packs.
rei.com/product/771045

Simple webbing type harness.
rei.com/product/668825

Or tie your own for a few dollars in webbing.

Don't know much about it, but this might work for ya....

ahsrescue.com/p-1295-cmc-k9…

I have (had) the RuffWear harnesses and don't know if I would trust them on anything too extreme. They have plastic buckles which she has broke in "normal" wear and tear. Also, there is the chance that they can slip out backwards from the harness. This rappel one seems to secure their butt so that won't happen.

The Ruff Wear products are nice and fit really well but for hauling and lowering your dog you would want to replace the fastex hardware. If you want a pack look at the Ruff Wear Palisade (?) as it comes with the detachable web harness, still with fastex though.

These people shopworks.com/adanac/index.cfm really good sled dog equipment. I have the x-back harness for our huskies and they're made well, you may want to ask if they can custom the 'Multi-Sport' harness for your needs.

Yeah...I'm also looking for a harness so I can take my dog climbing and also something that I can rig when we are out on glaciers. I have been trying to teach him a 3:1 haul system but he just looks at me goofy and then poops. I know he is really into climbing and all sorts of other extreme sports too.

Now, not only do I have to despise irresponsible dog owners at the base of the cliff....now I have to worry about sharing a belay with a mutt??? Are you f***ing kidding me!??!?!?!

joe q fed up wrote:Yeah...I'm also looking for a harness so I can take my dog climbing and also something that I can rig when we are out on glaciers. I have been trying to teach him a 3:1 haul system but he just looks at me goofy and then poops. I know he is really into climbing and all sorts of other extreme sports too. Now, not only do I have to despise irresponsible dog owners at the base of the cliff....now I have to worry about sharing a belay with a mutt??? Are you f***ing kidding me!??!?!?!

I take my dog canyoneering and he loves it and is good at it. I don't see anything wrong with getting a dog harness. Haters gonna hate...

joe q fed up wrote:Yeah...I'm also looking for a harness so I can take my dog climbing and also something that I can rig when we are out on glaciers. I have been trying to teach him a 3:1 haul system but he just looks at me goofy and then poops. I know he is really into climbing and all sorts of other extreme sports too. Now, not only do I have to despise irresponsible dog owners at the base of the cliff....now I have to worry about sharing a belay with a mutt??? Are you f***ing kidding me!??!?!?!

Can he belay though?

Way old thread but Ruffware now makes a real dog harness - the others are pack harness (with as noted plastic buckles) which are fine for when one is doing simple hand lowering with their dog.

Here is their full strength harness:

rei.com/product/796351/ruff…

You want the Ruffwear Doubleback. Petzl used to make a similar dog harness but stopped. Military harnesses cost $1000+, and rescue harnesses are meant to be worn only during descent in most cases. The doubleback is the best harness avail.

It cost more than most human harnesses, but it's well made and designed well. One of Ruffwears best designs.

If you are rapping with the dog, I highly recommend a muzzle. I've since stopped using it, but my smooth coated collie/saluki mix is a nipper to begin with, and it's pretty standard practice to muzzle on rappel. Eventually I stopped using it, but if you are rappelling with your dog, they do have a survival instinct and will fight you. Biting isn't out of the question.

derek craig wrote: I take my dog canyoneering and he loves it and is good at it. I don't see anything wrong with getting a dog harness. Haters gonna hate...

I agree. I have taken both my dogs up snow climbs, 4th class scrambles and down canyons. In fact, the risk of taking a dog is no greater than the moron parent who thinks their 10 year old is a valued member of any climbing team. If anything, most dogs have more common sense than a 10 year old. There is definitely increased risk and responsibility, but it's the same as taking anyone out who isn't skilled.

Oh, and I've shared belays with 10 year olds, I'm ok with sharing a belay with a well trained dog. That being said, I'm not sure too many dogs would be able to climb more than 4th class or 5.3ish slabs...i had one that could do both, but there aren't many. So I wouldn't be to concerned about people hauling a dog up your favorite 5.10b...but you never know.

ruffwear palisades pack. has detachable pack portion, harness portion has attachment point. the pack has good space and has built in water bladders.

Jumar wears it often. He has a 8 beer limit for the 4 legged ice chest(10 if it is flat).

Depending on how much the dog will be hanging it the harness, make sure it fits well. Jumar usually does not like to be carried in it. Seems a little uncomfortable, but when he needs help he waits to be scooped up like a furry piece of luggage.
mountainproject.com/v/10800…
Jumar humping loads in the backcountry. He carried over 50 lbs of gear in 4 days!

Just an FYI, and Ruffwear will confirm this. The Webmaster harness, the harness on the palisades, is rated as an assist harness only. Even with strength rated buckles, the attachment points and webbing aren't strength rated. Unless you replace those fastex buckles and you don't really care about your dog, it's pretty damn risky having him dangling from a rope on a harness that is roughly the equivalent of your backpack harness system.

Totally agree. The harness is just for easy dog luggage moves. helped with some creek crossings and numerous scrambles. Jumar would probly freak if i rapeled with him. Just helps him get where we are going.

John Greer Jr. wrote:Totally agree. The harness is just for easy dog luggage moves. helped with some creek crossings and numerous scrambles. Jumar would probly freak if i rapeled with him. Just helps him get where we are going.

Yep, for 90% of my dog's outings with me the Palisades/Webmaster is all we need and that is usually what he wears. I just wanted to make sure someone didn't buy this thinking it was for high angle use beyond suitcase moves.

Camp makes one: Kronos

Kong makes one for a cow, if you want to climb with your cow:Waka

hikingdrew wrote: Kong makes one for a cow, if you want to climb with your cow:

http://www.kong.it/pr_resc_new.htm

But do they make a pig harness? Everyone is always talking about hauling their pig, or rapping with a pig, but you hardly ever see anyone doing it.

J. Serpico wrote:You want the Ruffwear Doubleback. Petzl used to make a similar dog harness but stopped. Military harnesses cost $1000+, and rescue harnesses are meant to be worn only during descent in most cases.

Sweet dog. In the picture where he's standing around with his harness, what's on his hind feet?

Are those.... are those doggie climbing shoes??

thanks. he is unique.

they are doggy boots, complete with vibram soles. he has a few pairs (summer, winter ski skin type, and winter crampon type). he only wears them in specific situations. NH talus is tough on feet. i think dogs feet provide pretty good traction in most situations so it's usually more a protection thing, except for ice where nails don't = crampons for traction.