Hiking with your dog is rewarding – you get to spend time together, both stay active and get to see some sights, too.
But it can be hard for you to carry everything, especially if you’re loaded up for the day. So, why not make your dog help you out? They are well-suited for climbing and have enough energy to carry their own gear at the very least, after all.
A dog backpack or rucksack complete with saddlebags gives them this opportunity. You can load them up with their water bottle, food and collapsible bowl while just taking care of your own essentials. Dogs love to have a job, and it can help them focus too.
A dog backpack can come in various designs. Some attach to particular harnesses, while others are standalone products literally like a human rucksack. We like the latter option as it offers some extra strength and security, but if you already have something like the Julius K9 Harness you may want to look into how to jazz it up instead.
Whichever you decide, there are a few things to bear in mind. Is it the right size for what your dog will carry? Will it fit your dog securely, ensuring they can’t slip out? Is it too much for them – you don’t want to weigh them down?
Also bear in mind that while larger, stronger breeds are more likely to be comfortable carrying things, rucksacks are available for small breeds too.
So, to make your search easier, we have rounded up some of the best dog rucksacks on the following list.