Ruffwear Products

SunSiberians

Anyone with Ruffwear products please feel free to add you opinion.

I personally love Ruffwear. I find there stuff well thought out and practically indestructable.

Dog Packs -
I have had both backpack models - the Palasades more expensive, but definately worth it. I love that the saddles can be easily removed from the harness so your dog can have a quick break - with out having to remove the entire pack completely. The harness is a really nice fit and supports the dog quite well. Both packs offered by Ruffwear are constructed on their harness design - however only the Palasades pack can be seperated from the harness.
Both backs are made of a nice, strong material that is water resistant - but not water proof. The packs have a nice handle on the top to assist your dog over rocks or other obsticales with out hurting or choking them. The packs also have a nice reflective strip that works really well at night. The packs fit very nicely - with lots of room to move around and breath.

Palasades Pack:


Approach Pack:


Collaspable Bowls -
These bowls are fantastic! I absolutely recomend them for anyone with an active lifestyle on the go. I have had mine for 3 years now and they still work as well as the day I bought them - and believe me they've been through a lot!

Dog Boots - (I'll take pictures when I have the time)
I have just purchased a pair of their new design - Grip Trex - Bark'n Boots. These fit very nicely and STAY ON and IN PLACE! They strap is reflective and shows up really well at night. The rubber soul has awesome grips that keep the dogs feet well placed and able to grab. I wouldn't use them all the time - but it's nice to have them in emergancy situations on the trail - you never know what the terrain is like and whether or not their pads can hold up.

Leashes -
The Roamer Leash - The idea of this leash is really nice, however I didn't like it. When walking two dogs on two seperate leashes it's so easy to get tangled up and the tangles are dificult to get out because of the stretchy material. The stretch also makes it difficult to pull in the dog quickly if needed. However the reflective strips in the material are nice.
Knot - a - Leash - Awesome. I love that it has a carabiner hook up that locks shut - this dog ain't going anywere! It also has reflective material which is really nice for night walks. The material is made of the same stuff climbing ropes are made of - so this leash will probably last a life time and is practically indestructable. Great for active dogs or dogs that constantly chew on their leash. The handle is nice and cushy and also as a little loop for poop bags!

The Beacon - Love this little light - it can be hooked up to just about anything and is so helpful for our late night walks. It's water proof too - which is really nice and so far has been in the water for ten times. It's a strong little gadget and will probably last forever! My only issue is that it's really difficult to turn on, but at the same time - that's a good thing because it's not going to accidently turn on or off!

lovemygreys

I'm always looking for the latest and greatest in leashes...what's the clip like on the knot-a-leash. I can't really tell from the picture on their site what they mean by "locking caribeaner."

Mdawn

Do you think that the Knot-a-Leash would be strong enough for a potential 200lb Mastiff?
I need to find a collar that would be big enough fit around a huge neck and be very strong as well as a strong leash for Uallis when he gets bigger.

SunSiberians

Most definately! That thing could carry you down a mountain!

It's kind of difficult to describe. You know how on a carabiner you can open it by just pushing the right spot? Well that spot has a metal peice that threads around it to keep it in place. Do you know what a real climbing carabiner looks like? That's what this is - but smaller. Here - this site describes it better then I did - and has pictures.

Curbside Prophet

Elsa wears the Quick Draw collar. I like it because the the loop where the leash is attached stays on top, and I don't have to reach under her neck to get it. She's too tiny for the Quick Draw leash, but I like the design of that too.

Puppy & Dog Forums

 

lovemygreys

Thanks Sun!! Your post is what I needed to know. I'm ordering a couple leashes tomorrow. I think they'll work great - I'm always paranoid about the leash clip failing when we're out on walks (I know a couple people it's happened to )

What width do you have? My dogs aren't big pullers and since I walk several at a time I don't want ginormously thick leashes. Maybe I'll just order one of each size


If you are looking for a strong collar for a giant dog, I'd probably invest in a leather fishtail design. They have a wider width that tapers to an inch or so where the buckle is. That disperses the pressure on the dog's neck. You traditionally see these types of collars on greyhounds or sighthounds who have a tendency to be able to slip out of a traditional flat buckle collar. One of my favorite vendors: http://www.longdogleather.com/ or, if you want to spend a little extra: http://www.mjleatherwork.com/store/index.php?cPath=27

Mdawn

Thanks! Going to check those sites now.

chewbecca

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Ella's ruffwear backpack. She wears it on all of our walks. I have a 24 oz. pop bottle on each side (I don't want to weigh her down too much). Ours was a gift because my in-laws' giant schnauzer grew out of it before he ever got a chance to wear it.
But it fits Ella nicely so they gave it to us.


And, uh, not to toot my own horn (but I will ), but I sell specialty, custom made rope dog leashes and leads. And our hardware AND ropes will hold up to ANY size dog because most of the rope we use is either mountain climbing rope (with a weight limit no less than 7,000 lbs.) and/or rappel rope (which has a tag on the inside of the rope that says it meets life saving requirements.).

Here's a video of one of our leads towing a truck.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7FJZpZVmMA
And that is one of our weaker ropes with only a 4.000 lb. weight limit. And that lead held up (and is STILL holding up and usable) through 4 takes of this video.

If any are interested, my website link is in my sig and you can PM me if you have any questions.


Sorry! I swear I'm not spamming, I try not to make mention of my leashes and leads here, but you all are directly talking about them, so I had to get the word out!

But, yes, for backpacks, ruffwear is the way to go, definitely!

SunSiberians

Very nice leads! I love the concept of having the climbing rope and I love that you offer lots of different variations in colors and hardware!

chewbecca

thank you!

We are trying to ease some of the fears that some people have with leashes and its hardware breaking.
We try to find the best hardware and are constantly searching to improve what is most commonly found on dog leashes.

Ella is getting a Lily's Lead as soon as our order of O-rings gets here and I get to the store to puchase come HEFTY bullsnaps.

We know what it's like to fear faulty, or mediocre dog equipment. I had a plastic buckle on a martingale collar break once and it contributed to a horrible situation. I've heard the complaints of people having leash snaps break on them causing them to lose their dog.

Furlongs

I can tell you that Ruffwear products are extrememly well made and well thought out. The products look and sound great, but are based on practical use.

luvmyblklab

I have a Ruffwear pack for Marley, but even if I have it completely balanced it always sloughs off to one side. Do I have it fitted wrong or something? Help!

SunSiberians

Hello!
It sounds like the harness straps aren't tight enough. Try tightening them more so that they are snug, but your finger can still squeeze underneath the straps comfortably. If his back is still unbalanced try adding a couple rocks or water bottles to one side to further balance it.

Puppy & Dog Forums