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Ruffwear Harness use on small dogs?

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Ruffwear Harness use on small dogs?

14 June 2011
10:36 am

maggie

Portage Lake, Maine

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Forum Posts: 914

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8 December 2009

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Karen, I'm hoping you'll see this post…did you use a Ruffwear harness on Maggie? I have a friend interested in one for her quadpawd.

anyone else using it for a small dog? she's afraid it might be too bulky?

Thanks.

Tracy

Diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma 10-12-09, amputation of left rear leg 10-20-09
maggie.tripawds.com
"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get back up." ~ Vince Lombardi

14 June 2011
1:35 pm

krun15

Livermore, CA

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18 October 2009

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Hi Tracy,

I did get a Ruffwear harness for Maggie, but we were already 3 years in. She HATED it, but that was her, she did not like wearing anything. Mag never had trouble getting around so I didn't need to help her walk. It was handy for getting her in and out of my truck- I could do it one handed. But she was so little- or close to the ground- that using the harness handle to help her was not practical.

I did have trouble fitting Mag- what kind of pup does your friend have? Pugs are very broad chested for their length. Maggie needed a XS based on her girth measurement. But once I got the harness it was way too long for her. I then tired an XXS which was just the right length- but no way to get the front strap around her. I ended up modifying the straps on the XXS to get it to fit her.

And to give you and idea of how small the XXS is there is a pic of Barney wearing the harness!

Send me a PM if you want more info.

Karen

Karen and the Pugapalooza: Spirit Tri-Pug Maggie, Forever the Leader of our Pack, and the Quad pugs Tani & Obie

14 June 2011
1:39 pm

maggie

Portage Lake, Maine

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8 December 2009

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Thanks Karen for replying! I meant to say my friend's dog is a Pug too. That's why I wanted you to answer ;-)

She wanted it for hiking for her dog but wondered if it might be too cumbersome for small dog. She'd seen someone with one I guess.(she lives in NY and I'm in ME).

Barney's photo is a hoot!!! :)

Thanks for the info and I'll pass it on.

Tracy

Diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma 10-12-09, amputation of left rear leg 10-20-09
maggie.tripawds.com
"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get back up." ~ Vince Lombardi

14 June 2011
2:48 pm

admin

Here and Now

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Forum Posts: 7749

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25 April 2007

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Thanks for the great input Karen!

We've sold plenty of XXS and XS harnesses but oftentimes they get returned for a larger size. It seems some "small dog" owners tend to think they need a "small" harness for their "small" dog and may neglect to follow the instructions for measuring. It is the dog's girth, not perceived size that determines a proper fit. But as Karen indicated, all dogs are different and the body shape may make a difference.

	"Dogs are born with three legs and a spare." — Jerry G. Dawg (10/98-10/08) Please Support Your Tripawds Community! Have you started a Tripawds Blog yet?
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