Customer Reviews

Chuckwagon K9 Pack (Large)-RED/BLK-LARGE

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I highly recommend this backpack. Having a very active German shepherd dog that needs to be exercised every day, this backpack is very easy to use. The backpack is very comfortable and once adjusted all you do is slip it over your dogs head and snap it underneath the stomach area. It fits perfectly. The only problem is the extra straps underneath (I just tied them in a knot). Also make sure you have even weight on both sides. I've tried other backpacks from pet stores and they are CHEAP!!! This backpack works nicely for my 80 pound German shepherd.

Overall the quality and workmanship of this product is far superior than all the other bags I looked at, that is why I decided to purchase it. However, after trying it around town I could tell that the belly strap could not be tightened well enough. When my dog went backpacking with it, I confirmed it doesn't work well. The bag tilts side to side (usually toward the heavier side), and even slides awkwardly forward up on the neck of my dog... My dog is 65 lbs, right on the border for medium/large sized packs; but after reading the reviews, I knew I should go smaller rather than larger, so I went with the medium... It's still to big...

Other than that the pack is quiet nice. I do think it doesn't fit as much as I'd like for multi-day backpacking trips though. Two days of food, some poop baggies, and leash accessories easily fills it up.

In the end the size didn't really matter because I had to carry it so my dog wouldn't chafe.

To make a long story short, go with the small even if you dog is 100 pounds... it'll most likely fit your dog... my 65 lb dog has about a foot of slack on the belly strap, and it still doesn't fit him.

UPDATE: I actually decided to buy another one because it was unusable... I went with the Mountainsmith Dog Pack and it fits extremely well, holds a lot more, and doesn't shift around at all. (I got the medium for my dog)... If you are looking for a pack for short walks/runs then get this one (but go small). But if you are looking for a pack for day trips or longer, look at the Mountainsmith Dog Pack.

This perfectly fits my 28 lb border collie mutt. This is smaller than the "small" made by the Outdoor brand, and anything larger would have been too bulky for him.

I have two dogs - one gets too tired during walks, while the other was feeling left restless and bored. I believe this was causing some behavior problems with him...he was so frustrated that he was getting held back. This works GREAT!! I put a water bottle on each side (it won't fit the longer sports-cap water bottles,) a couple 2 lb weights (the kind you can wear around your wrists, they are very small) and a couple treats.

I give them each a tiny bite size treat halfway through the walk, because I think it helps him enjoy wearing the pack even more than he already does. He gets excited whenever I take it out of the closet. He walks by my side, and after each walk, he's now finally tired. I even put my keys in it, plus some waste disposal baggies. Finally, I can walk hands free - except for the leashes, of course. Its a tight fit, but the pack is just big enough to fit it all. I can't tell if he thinks of it as "working" but I hear these packs make working dogs feel like they are earning their keep.

I was going to get a cheaper kind, but this kind has sime nice padding under the straps, and he seems quite comfortable wearing it. It is also very easy to take on and off, and other types looked a little more complicated.

If you don't have a lot of time to walk your dog everyday (or if they are simply in better shape than you) I highly recommend this item.

I have used many backpacks with my dogs before and this one is by far my favorite so far. I have a 60 pound lab mix and like to climb 14ers with him so he must carry all his own water, scree shoes and other gear. I ordered the medium and it fits him very well, does not interfere with his movements and stays securely in place. The excess strap length needs to be tied back around otherwise they will drag, however. The long straps will ensure that the pack will fit all sizes of dogs; I am considering permanently shortening mine. As with all backpacks, dogs need to learn that they are wider than before and must practice going between boulders and other obstacles before you set out on your long trek. Happy T(r)ails!

I've had this a couple of months but my dogs wears it A LOT. We put it on him to help him burn off energy on walks and short hikes (up to 2 hours or so). As long as the weight is evenly distributed on both sides, he can do all the things he would do otherwise: run, climb hills, run up rock slides, splash through creeks, run down hills, etc. Of course, he still does these things when the pack is not weighted evenly. He just does it while leaning to one side.

Like everyone else, the major problem I have had is with sizing. Sizing by weight range is difficult because you could have a small, stocky dog (like a basset hound) or a big lanky dog (like a greyhound) that are actually within the same size by weight. I suggest taking the time to visit the Kelty website (http://www.kelty.com/kelty/products.php?terms=chuckwagon&id=320) and look at the specs they list. They have both the weight-ranges and measurements of the distance around the dogs stomach. Depending on your dog's built you may have to take a size down. If your dog is built like a basset hound (middle like a long tube) go with the size that fits your dog's measurements. If your dog is built like a greyhound (big rib cage and small abdomen) it might be a good idea to go a size down if their weight is at the bottom of the size range. My dog is in the second category. I measured at the biggest point (ribcage) but the stomach strap is at his abdomen so it's a bit big. It's a bit loose but not too bad.

Pro:
Well-built.
Stays on through all terrain.
Comfortable.
Holds A LOT.

Con:
Sizing can be tricky (but not impossible).

Kelty Backpacks - Bubba my nine year old black Lab mix and Gabriel, my one year old yellow Lab mix LOVE their backpacks. Inside each packet is a bottle of spring water, plastic bag and a sheet of paper to pickup their poop, just in case. It helps in their workout, they walk almost everyday, to keep them in best of shape. Their bodies, muscular and lean. They position themselves, so it is easy for me to slip on their bags. For summertime, I will put frozen water bottle to keep them cool and by the time we're done walking, the water will thaw and ready to drink.

Let's first remind ourselves that this item is made by Kelty, one of the premier manufacturers of outdoor gear. If they put their name on it, surely it is a quality item - and it is.

I have a 73lb lab/Weimaraner mix (with identical build to a typical Weim) and the medium fits her perfectly, albeit on the snugger side of the adjustment range. I read other reviews and they complain about difficulty in preventing the pack from sliding over their head on downhills or when they drop their head, but I've yet to have that problem. We have hiked several times and been on OHV excursions several others, where she has carried her own supplies and some of my own, as well.

The harness system on the Kelty is one of the better designs out there, with the Y-yolk and chest pad for optimum comfort and security. The pack slips on easy, and is buckled in at two points under the chest.

Overall, an excellent product (durable, waterproof, comfortable, and practical) from the venerable brand Kelty, at a very competitive price. Strongly recommended.

I purchased one of these Kelty Chuck's about 4 yrs ago! Love it. What an awesome way to have Ol' Copper pack his own food/bones and treat along on lengthy backpacking trips. He's about 85# and pretty lean - This pack is so easy my young boys can put on in the morning and off we go. I can even keep extra water/supplies I want to get to quick without getting into my pack -- (Maps/etc.) The only downside I've seen is the need to keep both side equally balance. This is a bit tricky- but hey-- we do this to our own packs as well - just a bit of effort - Towards the end of long trips, I've actually replaced empty food space with small rocks to keep balanced - This is a quick "trail fix" when the weight is just not right.

I may have the most active dog that ever lived. He weighs 20 lbs and one day he pulled me through an entire 10 mile strenuous hiking trail. Then he went home and ran laps and played ball for another couple hours. Went to bed, woke up the next day just as energized as any other day. Needless to say, I don't have time every day to try to wear him completely out so I bought this backpack to weigh him down a little and make him work harder in shorter time. I don't weigh it down much, about 3-4 lbs.

He loves wearing it. He gets all excited when I get it out and almost puts it on by himself. I love it because it is really well made and well balanced and padded on his back. It is a little big for him, but it doesn't interfere with his walking, so I figure it is ok. It's not exactly easy to put things on a Jack Russell, but it stays in place even if we run. The only problem is that by having him wear it everytime we walk he has turned into a super athlete and it now takes me even more time to wear him out. I'm getting him a WalkyDog for Christmas so we can do more exercise in a shorter time on a bike.

Also, my dog is really bad about jumping on people when they come over. I've found if I put his backpack on him, he is much better even around little kids. It kind of weighs him down and gives him something else to think about besides jumping up. Great product! Every dog I own from now on is gonna have a backpack.

This product looks nice, and is a well known brand, but the "click here sizing chart" is for people, not dogs ! Without (canine) sizing information, it is hard to know what to order, especially for a mid-sized dog, who might fall into either the large or the small category. I hope someone will fix this silly listing error.

I apologize in advance for the fact that, strictly speaking, this is not a true product review. I will delete this review if the problem with this listing is fixed. I chose three stars in an effort not to bias the ratings any more than I can help, and even that will go away when I delete the review.