Heath Smith is the program director for , a University of Washington program that trains rescue dogs to track聽endangered species. His dogs are out in the field every day, either camping or hiking, so I called him to ask for dog聽gear recommendations. Here are his top picks,聽plus some of my own.
Ruffwear Web Master Harness聽 ($60)
has ample webbing that trainers can grab to聽help dogs up steep terrain or over large obstacles.聽(There鈥檚 also a .)聽Trainers sometimes pair the harness with the , which protects the dog鈥檚聽belly聽when working in rough terrain.聽
Warner Bear Bell ($6)
These bells are mostly used to 聽of incoming canines, Smith says. The sound gives ripping mountain bikers a heads up聽and alerts hikers so they aren鈥檛 startled when a dog suddenly rounds the trail.
Wellness Core Dehydrated Dog Food ($30 for 2 Pounds)
Dehydrated dog food weighs less鈥攌ey if you鈥檙e schlepping聽food over long distances.聽This brand : its grain-free kibble is聽70 percent聽protein.
Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack 2L聽($14)
Dog food is notoriously oily and creates a stinky mess when聽it spills in your backpack. You could store the stuff聽in a garbage bag, but a dry sack is more secure. This one from is totally waterproof and made from durable nylon.
Ruffwear Highlands Sleeping Bag ($100)
A might sound ridiculous, but聽try to get a solid eight hours with a cold dog packed into your bag or wandering around the tent. Not happening.聽Synthetic insulation keeps a dog warm even when wet, and the pack stuffs into its own foot-long pack.
GPS Data Logger ($95)
A isn鈥檛 necessary gear, but if you have dogs that like to do laps on the trail聽or tend to run off for a while and then come back, it鈥檒l let you see how far they鈥檝e traveled and where they went.
Kurgo Collaps a Bowl ($10)
Handlers for Conservation Canines haul water in for their聽dogs聽because they often can鈥檛 find any on the trails. Your dog will do just fine聽if you鈥檙e near聽a stream, but if you鈥檙e out in the desert, bring along聽. It packs down to less than an inch thick聽and expands to hold 24 ounces of water.
Ruffwear Track Jacket ($40)
This is another piece of gear . The bright orange vest makes them easy to spot and comes with attachment points for lights.聽It鈥檚 essential for聽hiking during hunting season.
Pawz Natural Rubber Dog Boots (From $12)
Many dogs are fine without boots, but if you鈥檙e hiking over sharp rocks and sticks聽or putting in lots of miles, these will give your dog an added layer of protection. They鈥檙e also聽biodegradable聽and relatively affordable.