Dog coats for under a harness - canicross

vallin

vallin

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So joining Stroud Canicross has been a resounding success - Daisy loves running in a 'pack' and they're training for a half marathon so it's great for mine and the OHs fitness! The only problem I've found is that because it's a mixed fitness group and we're often out for a couple of hours, Daisy gets chilly whilst standing around waiting for others, especially if it's raining. Does anyone run their dog with a coat on? I'm not thinking of something insulated just something that can go under her harness to keep the rain off. The only ones I've seen that might be suitable are the Non-stop hunting jacket, Ruffwear cloud chase and Hurrta hunter vest, however they're all £££. Any thoughts?

Picture of Daisy enjoying some canicross :D

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I think a lot of coats would rub
could you run with a tiny rucksack with an old waterproof or fleece (even a human one) to just chuck on top of her while you wait? or those little waterproofs in a bag would even attach onto your running belt

can I hijack slightly and ask what harness you use? husband has started regular running with out dogs, but currently just using their normal k9 harnesses
 
pippixox said:
I think a lot of coats would rub
could you run with a tiny rucksack with an old waterproof or fleece (even a human one) to just chuck on top of her while you wait? or those little waterproofs in a bag would even attach onto your running belt

can I hijack slightly and ask what harness you use? husband has started regular running with out dogs, but currently just using their normal k9 harnesses
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K9 aren't great for running as inhibit shoulder movement. I used to use the ManMat shoulder harness (still use it, but just for hiking rather than running as rose up when she pulled) and now use a zero DC faster harness with I had fitted by K9 trail time. If you are planning on running them regularly it is worth going and getting one fitted. I nearly ordered the non-stop free motion due to reccomendations based on similar shaped dogs but when we actually went a tried loads on the zero DC was a much better fit (and £20 cheaper!)
 
Where can you do that? I have got a measuring tape to try at home.
Husband is keeping it up I think so certainly worth getting proper ones but there seem to be so many options
 
pippixox said:
Where can you do that? I have got a measuring tape to try at home.
Husband is keeping it up I think so certainly worth getting proper ones but there seem to be so many options
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I don't know where you are in the country but k9 trail time do fittings at various canicross events so might be worth looking at their Facebook page and seeing if they'll be anywhere near you.
 
Hi Vallin. I personally never run my dogs with a jacket on (& don't know anyone else who does), because i'd worry they'd overheat. However, I do usually pop a jacket on them before a run if it's cold. If you are joining social runs of a couple of hours, presumably you aren't running all that time so it may be worth having a jacket for her if standing around. Ancol do a Stormguard jacket which has a removeable fleece and a waterproof outer - they retail around £15 so not expensive (size wise my GSP's take an XL, my GSDxDoberman an XXL). If you take the fleece out, you could probably comfortably carry the out waterproof part with you to pop on her when need be. Hope that helps xx

P.S I've recently switched a few of my guys to Zero DC's - the wide chestpiece & higher point of contact on the ribcage fits their shape really well.
 
eatmyshorts said:
Hi Vallin. I personally never run my dogs with a jacket on (& don't know anyone else who does), because i'd worry they'd overheat. However, I do usually pop a jacket on them before a run if it's cold. If you are joining social runs of a couple of hours, presumably you aren't running all that time so it may be worth having a jacket for her if standing around. Ancol do a Stormguard jacket which has a removeable fleece and a waterproof outer - they retail around £15 so not expensive (size wise my GSP's take an XL, my GSDxDoberman an XXL). If you take the fleece out, you could probably comfortably carry the out waterproof part with you to pop on her when need be. Hope that helps xx

P.S I've recently switched a few of my guys to Zero DC's - the wide chestpiece & higher point of contact on the ribcage fits their shape really well.
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I think that's what wet leaning towards.

The only thing I don't like after the Zero DC is getting them on and off!
 
I've seen a few folk struggle getting zero DC's on & off with a whole lot of tugging, & never understtod the drama, LOL! I find for example when taking off if you pull the whole harness forward, almost around the dogs neck, then you can pop one leg out at a time easily, then take the whole lot over the head. Vice versa for putting them on :-) xx
 
eatmyshorts said:
I've seen a few folk struggle getting zero DC's on & off with a whole lot of tugging, & never understtod the drama, LOL! I find for example when taking off if you pull the whole harness forward, almost around the dogs neck, then you can pop one leg out at a time easily, then take the whole lot over the head. Vice versa for putting them on :) xx
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It just doesn't seem to work! lol Maybe on day I'll figure out a better way, just feels like it could do with a little bit of elastic of something, but then it fits so neatly when she's running.
 
My guys were all professionally fitted too ... could just be the shape of your dog or perhaps just because the material is new & a bit stiff - if the latter, should get easier with time xx
 
Try and Equafleece for under a harness https://www.equafleece.co.uk/home - lots of different styles and colours, I have a couple of tankies for Frank. I don't use a harness but have seen them used very successfully with harnesses, they're just fleece and no buckles etc to get in the way.
 
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