*Updated 4/5/2018

Pack: The actual pack I really like to use is a Ruffwear Approach Pack size Medium in meadow green weight is: 1.15 lb and (14.5 L) capacity. When I was in the market for a dog backpack I did a lot of research and found that Ruffwear as far as design and material quality goes it was far superior to a lot of packs out there. I know there are some private companies that do custom harnesses and packs that look very nice but the price was pretty steep, and because you are paying for the customization. Ruffwear also has a great return/exchange policy so if the pack is the wrong size Ruffwear will work with you to find the perfect fit, the customer service is also wonderful. There is a Ruffwear Palisades Pack that I almost got because the saddlebags are completely removable leaving just the webmaster harness. But I opted for the fixed Approach pack only cause if I was going to go through the trouble of taking my pack completely off I would do the same for Goose, and to be honest its a simple on and off if you can put on a webmaster harness its the same thing.

 

Bear Bell: Ok, so the places we typically hike is not bear country but making that extra bit of noise will scare skunks, javelinas, mountain lions, and coyotes and make our presence known to other hikers.

Bandanna: The bright color is great for visibility and we also spray it with eucalyptus oil or cedar oil both great natural ways of keeping fleas and ticks away, you can look ultra hip with a Mutt Cloth Bandana.

Collapsible water bowl: I use the Bivy Bowl from Ruffwear, It’s my favorite bowl from them and bowl in general. The wide bowl is perfect for large dogs and also for holding a large amount of water. The Bivy Bowl has a capacity of 60 fl oz (1.8L) and weighs 2.96 oz that’s a bowl that can hold a lot of water and hardly weigh anything.

Poop Bags: Cause no one wants to see dog poop on the trail! (Leave no trace)

Comb & Leather-man: Two things I will always have with me when I am in the desert with or without a dog. The comb is for cactus the most specific type of cactus is the jumping cactus aka cholla and the leather-man cause sometimes the comb can only do so much and you have to pull the cactus spines out one spine at a time. No matter how careful you are you will have a run in with cactus at least once on a trail in the desert, and using your hands is not an option.

First-Aid: By far, Adventure Medical makes the best all around first aid kit for basic trail injuries. I still carry my medical kit and quick clot in my back for serious emergencies.

Safety Light: A light is a must have at dusk around camp or if your like us and your apart of the dawn patrol we are sometimes out on the trail before the sun especially in the summer months we hike in the dark the Beacon Safety Light from Ruffwear has 3 settings and 3 colors so your choices are endless.

Dog Boots: So I love my Ruffwear Grip Trex boots but they do weigh a pack down and take up a lot of space, I will use them if I am hiking on sandstone or slate and any other extremely abrasive surface. But for sand, snow or even for tender paws my go-to lightweight boots are the boots from dogbooties.com They will wear out over time but they are cheap enough and strong enough you will get your money’s worth out of them and save your dogs paws in the process.

(2) 1L Water bottles: Seems excessive but hiking in the desert winter or summer we use a ton of water. I have two Ruffwear 1 Liter hydration bladders I decided to go with the larger blatters cause I can use them when I’m at camp and fill them with filtered water. Another side note is I don’t fill the water bladders all the way up if food is being carried, weight is important to manage and water weight is a backbreaker.

Food for the trail: I pack the daily rations and stick with at home measurements, but I do add Zuke’s Enhance Endurance Functional Chews have the perfect balance of healthy fuels and free-radical fighting antioxidants to support active dogs before, during and after exercise. Feeding Instructions for the Zuke’s Enhance Endurance Chews are more of a supplement and it is okay to double the amounts as needed during times of extreme exertion.

How much weight is right for my dog to carry in his pack? A young and healthy dog can carry up to 25% of their weight. I like to stick with 10% to 15% for Goose he is 45/50 pounds and his pack weighs in at 7/8 pounds with everything including the pack its self. The weight also depends on breed while other breeds aren’t cut out to carry much weight at all. The amount you should pack also changes with age. This is a good topic to discuss with your vet.

WHY a dog Pack? So now you know what Goose has in his pack and why he has it, but I also said I’d tell you why he carries one. Well, he is more than able to carry his own pack and it helps me out cause then it saves weight for me in my pack which means we can hike longer cause we both can carry more water. He also loves his pack when he see’s his pack come out he knows that we are going on a big hike! And he can’t wait to get it on his back and head out to the trail. He is fulfilled because he is working, Australian shepherds are working dogs and we don’t live on a farm or own cattle so this is the next best thing. A happy dog is a tired dog and a dog that feels like he has a done a good days work is happy, don’t you feel good about your self when you worked hard? Well so do dogs. He is so happy with himself, he may not be able to verbally tell me but his actions speak louder than words.