Large Dogs

Challenges and solutions for dogs 60+ lbs - lifting, pack weight, and gear sizing.

30 articles available

Buying Guides

Best Lightweight Tents for You and Your Dog

We tested 8 lightweight backpacking tents over 14 months with a 95-lb German Shepherd. Here's what actually fits a big dog and survives their claws.

By Kelly Lund

Best Dog Hiking Gear for Hot Weather 2026 | Summer Kit

We tested 10 must-have hot weather products across Arizona and Colorado trails. Build the right summer kit with cooling vests, water bottles, breathable harnesses, and more.

By Kelly Lund

Best Ultralight Gear for Dog Owners (Under 5lbs)

We tested 12 ultralight dog hiking products from collapsible bowls to featherweight harnesses. Here are the 8 that actually saved ounces without sacrificing function.

By Kelly Lund

The Ultimate Dog Hiking Gear Checklist for 2026

Our complete field-tested gear guide covers harnesses, boots, packs, hydration, and everything else your dog needs on trail.

By Kelly Lund

Fi Collar vs Garmin T5X: Cellular or Satellite GPS?

We tested both GPS technologies in the backcountry. One works everywhere. The other needs cell towers.

By Kelly Lund

Ruffwear Palisades vs Approach: Which Backpack Wins?

Two premium Ruffwear packs, sixty dollars apart. After testing both on the same trails, here's which one earns your money.

By Kelly Lund

Product Reviews

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Ruffwear Overcoat Fuse Review: Harness + Jacket

After 200 miles testing the Ruffwear Overcoat Fuse through Colorado winters with Jasper, I learned where convenience wins and where control loses.

By Kelly Lund

Ruffwear Switchbak Harness Review: Pockets Without the Bulk

After 180 miles testing the Ruffwear Switchbak with Jasper, my 95-pound German Shepherd, I learned where built-in pockets work and where they create problems.

By Kelly Lund

Kurgo Baxter Pack Review: Budget Backpacking for Your Dog

After 120 trail miles testing the Kurgo Baxter Pack with Jasper, my 95-pound German Shepherd, I found where budget meets capability and where the savings show.

By Kelly Lund

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Dog Trail Grades Explained (The 10 Percent Rule)

Learn how to calculate trail steepness from topographic map contour lines and why sustained 15 percent grades risk dog shoulder injuries on descents.

By Kelly Lund

Checking Dog Paws After a Hike (The 2-Minute Wheelbarrow Method)

Inspect your dog's paws systematically after every hike. Learn the wheelbarrow technique to find hidden cuts, abrasions, and debris before they cause a limp.

By Kelly Lund

Best Leash Length for Single-Track (4ft vs 6ft vs Adjustable)

6-foot leashes give dogs enough slack to reach off-trail hazards. We tested 4ft, 6ft, and adjustable options on narrow single-track to find what works.

By Kelly Lund

Dog Backpack Weight Limits (Why 25 Percent Is Too Heavy)

Most trail guides say your dog can carry a quarter of their body weight. Field data and veterinary kinematics show why that number causes long-term joint damage.

By Kelly Lund

Building an Emergency Dog Bed (Why Loose Leaves Fail)

Ground contact steals body heat fast. We measured how different natural materials compress under a 95-pound dog to build a trail bed that actually works.

By Kelly Lund

Hunting Season Dog Safety (Why Hiking Requires Orange Vests)

Rifle season changes the rules for hiking with dogs. We cover trail tactics, blaze orange vest requirements, and how to safely navigate shared public lands.

By Kelly Lund