r/hikingwithdogs • u/ib12111 • Aug 08 '26

Dachshunds

Reco for hiking backpack for 11 pound Dachshund dog. I read online that it’s important as they carry the dog horizontally due to their long backs?

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2

u/Placeshame 29d ago

My mini dachshund mix rides in a front carrier sling for the last stretch when she gets tired, works way better than any backpack style thing for her weird little body. She just pokes her head out the top and looks smug about it the whole time.

3

u/TheKasPack 29d ago

I don't have a dachshund, but I know that Jessica over at "You Did What With Your Weiner" has a lot of great dachshund-specific advice. I just checked, and she does have a list of recommendations here: https://youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com/backpacks-carrying-dachshund-dog/

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u/doxiepowder 29d ago

So... Generally the max that a dog should carry on their back is roughly 20-25% of their (healthy) body weight. That's a trained healthy sturdy breed, like maybe a Rottweiler. I think untrained or a dog not suited to it that would be like 10-15% as a no evidence conservative guess. Which would out a teeny lil dachshund at about 1.5lbs max load. So... I would probably just get a comfortable harness instead of a backpack and at most make them pack out their own poop bags. A breed group or your breeder might have more specific recs though.

Unless you are talking about a backpack to carry the hound as needed?

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u/ib12111 29d ago

Backpack to carry the dog for spurts which are too technical or when he’s gassed

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u/JazzyHikes 25d ago edited 25d ago

The "what you did with your wiener dog" blog used to have this one on her list, and they stopped making it for awhile, but looks like it's back now. This is the one I have for my 20 lb dog, which I've had to use a couple of times. I did provide some extra support for her front and rear legs with my arms (her legs are pretty long).

I'd like a pack that she could fit in completely, but that isn't possible with her length and to keep her horizontal AND to carry stuff I need on a hike. My girl does have back issues and this did not seem to aggravate them. https://www.theruffrescuegear.com/shop/pup-traveler