4 leather harnesses for dogs

[Guest AT dog runner]

Two summers from now, my pups will be at the right age in their prime. I just bred 4 males from a my amazing male puller. I plan to run the Appalachian trail rotating out dogs pulling me on a mountain board. I use store bought harnesses currently for training my mature dogs, they bust up within a month or so with casual use, they are big dogs around 80-100 lbs each.

 

I would like to commission a custom harness for each dog that will last up to the wear and tear of 3000 plus miles. This might require fitting and measuring so i dont know how we would go about that over the internet. If anyone is interested in taking this project on, i have over a year to complete my prep including finding suitable harnesses.

OR if anyone has information on quality dog harnesses that would be great.

I would also like to be able to mount small lights or go pro cams to these harnesses.

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

What is your location?

 

[Wizcrafts]

19 hours ago, Big Sioux Saddlery said:

What is your location?

 

According to the IP address, the OP is in Chester, Virginia.

[Sheilajeanne]

What are the store bought harnesses that bust up within a month or so? 

There are many different harness designs. The one most frequently used for pulling is the x-back harness: https://www.mondou.com/en-CA/p-x-back-classic-dog-harness-for-towed-sports/1019908-MASTER?gclid=CjwKCAiA_ZTfBRBjEiwAN6YG4V0otGz_Pp_se_hsdYhNWijQdvjhGbYHtLsJT2FY4TQ16hF4BRLGoBoCKJoQAvD_BwE

But there are other kinds too: https://grossenbacher-beat.ch/en/dogs/product/dog-sledding-harness

https://homesecurity.press/quotes/dog-weight-pulling-harness.html

https://www.all-about-cane-corso-dog-breed.com/leather-dog-harness-c-4_28/trackingpullingagitation-leather-dog-harness-for-cane-corso-breed-p-1.html

Of course, the harnesses shown in nylon can also be made in leather. I really don't get how these harnesses are falling apart after just a month. I've used a nylon harness for tracking for many years, along with a 30 ft. nylon horse's lunge line, and both are still in perfect shape. I also use the harness for protection, and the dog pulls against it very strongly. It's held up very well. Leather harnesses should last for many years too, if they are made of good leather to start with. I've seen horse tack that was 30 years old, but still in excellent condition.

Leather harnesses do require routine maintenance to keep them in good shape. They need to be cleaned with saddle soap, and sometimes oiled with neatsfoot oil when the leather starts to dry out. They should never be exposed to excessive heat. And to stand up to the wear and tear of pulling, they need to be made of good quality leather, either latigo or bridle leather, which has been treated with waxes and oils to make it resistant to water and sweat.

I've lived in northern Ontario, and attended a number of sled dog races. The mushers as a rule use nylon harnesses because they are cheaper than leather, and don't need maintenance other than occasional cleaning.