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I will get a picture later tonight or tomorrow that shows a fitted harness on my guys. That won't necessarily look exactly the same on another dog though. Your vet should definitely be able to show you.
The important thing to remember is that the harness should bear upon the sternum (breastbone) the same as a seatbelt for a person. Put one hand on the top of the sternum (below the throat) and pull on the attachment ring. You will be able to see where the harness applies pressure. The back portion should be on the dog's ribs and not so far back that it can act upon the abdomen beyond the ribs.
Cloud10, that is pretty radical. what happened? It sure complicates things to have no stump at all. I had a dog years ago that lost the use of a hind leg We elected to leave the limb and she at least was able to use it to brace herself, eventually adapting. A hind leg is easier to live without. It did end up causing back problems later on. I wish there had been canine chiropractic back then, we could have probably prevented a lot of her problems.
The shirts must be funny! your biggest problem will be keeping your boy at a good weight with everyone feeling sorry for him and giving him little goodies.
RandomGemini, I use a Premier brand harness, the model is called Sure-fit. you can order it from them or a few others. it has two buckles and adjustment on every portion, allowing you to get the front portion down low enough to fit well. Whatever you buy, get one that fits your dog on the smallest of it's range and it should carry you through to when your bigger one will fit. It should cost less than $30.
(ie, if the dog's chest is 22", you want a harness that fits 20"-36").
BTW, I'm glad to see this discussion, it's nice that so many people are bringing their dogs and doing it in a way that's as safe for them as it can be.
PD: Thanks! I will look into them... right now, Mugen's got a 12" neck and I expect his collar size to go up to somewhere between 22" and 24" within the next year.
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Plotting World Domination through MINI Motoring Love: Viola Cooper. 2008 PS/B MC. Follow me on twitter!
Thanks for the wonderful discussion and great advice. I'd also love to see a properly fitted set up.
I haven't bought anything yet, but my puppy is coming home on Saturday so I have a few days. I've checked out harnesses at many different stores but it is hard to buy when I don't know the size. Plus, he's never had a harness on - is it fair to make a pup who isn't used to one wear it for the drive (3.5 hours) home? Otherwise, I have an airline crate that I use for the cats that can be buckled in.
All the bring home books I've read say that pup should ride in your lap or on the floor. Some place where he cannot see out the windows so he won't get car sick.
I did this when I brought Mugen home, due to not having any other good options. (Crate is an extra large varikennel for 100 pound dogs. Doesn't fit in the MINI or our SUV fully assembled. Couldn't find an appropriately sized safety certified harness.) I think that since you have to put a collar on them, a harness is no worse. Call your breeder and ask for a collar/harness measurement for the trip home. If you choose to harness, do sit in the back seat with your pup and have someone else drive.
Good luck!
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Plotting World Domination through MINI Motoring Love: Viola Cooper. 2008 PS/B MC. Follow me on twitter!
Some of the strap type with the pad for the breast bone are usually adjustable. They're usually available at most decent dog supply stores. But, I'm not sure you're going to find one that goes all the way from 20 to 95 lbs. You may end up having to buy two or three. But that's a small price to pay for your friend's safety.
I will get a picture later tonight or tomorrow that shows a fitted harness on my guys. That won't necessarily look exactly the same on another dog though. Your vet should definitely be able to show you.
The important thing to remember is that the harness should bear upon the sternum (breastbone) the same as a seatbelt for a person. Put one hand on the top of the sternum (below the throat) and pull on the attachment ring. You will be able to see where the harness applies pressure. The back portion should be on the dog's ribs and not so far back that it can act upon the abdomen beyond the ribs.
Cloud10, that is pretty radical. what happened? It sure complicates things to have no stump at all. I had a dog years ago that lost the use of a hind leg We elected to leave the limb and she at least was able to use it to brace herself, eventually adapting. A hind leg is easier to live without. It did end up causing back problems later on. I wish there had been canine chiropractic back then, we could have probably prevented a lot of her problems.
The shirts must be funny! your biggest problem will be keeping your boy at a good weight with everyone feeling sorry for him and giving him little goodies.
RandomGemini, I use a Premier brand harness, the model is called Sure-fit. you can order it from them or a few others. it has two buckles and adjustment on every portion, allowing you to get the front portion down low enough to fit well. Whatever you buy, get one that fits your dog on the smallest of it's range and it should carry you through to when your bigger one will fit. It should cost less than $30.
(ie, if the dog's chest is 22", you want a harness that fits 20"-36").
Thanks for the comments on the pup. He crashed and burned while playing with the other pups at the Greyhound puppy farm. His leg was so severely fractured they couldn't save it. GPA said it would actually be easier on him to remove it than to live in a cast for 3 months. He is an angel about it, but I am sure he has phantom pain as sometimes he'll let out a small cry while asleep or playing. I expected that and they are lessening as he gets older.
In a strange way I'm glad he never had to go to the track. He has such a great personality and is such a free soul. I've seen a lot of track dogs without that certain spark. I'm lucky as 2 of my 3 Greys were pups when I got them. The third one never made it to the track at 18 months, but Mai Tai definitely has taken time to let go. Still, she remains so much more reserved than the other two. There is a bond with me, but not as strong and not as animated.
Rush runs like the wind, actually faster than Mai Tai. Right now he is always hungry, but I am really keeping an eye on the weight. He seems to match the physique of Captain Morgan with the spine and ribs too defined. I can't get an ounce onto Morgan despite 4 years of trying.
__________________ "Saving One Greyhound May Not Change the World, but It Certainly Will Change the World for That One Greyhound."
cloud10, I admire you for rescuing greys. It's harder than rescuing any other breed IMO, because of the lives many greys lead before finally becoming companion animals. I pray for a day when greyhound racing is no longer legal.
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Plotting World Domination through MINI Motoring Love: Viola Cooper. 2008 PS/B MC. Follow me on twitter!
Lori Haberman-Wilson makes custom harnesses andcollars for the Greys. As Greys don't fit harnesses too well, she can easily make a padded one with the measurements. I'm looking for her email, and can send it to you if you PM me. All the profits go to Morris Animal Foundation for canine cancer research. I'm going to contact her about a harness for Rush and another Greyhound person for a handmade sweater with one front leg hole.
I found it, it's M&M Designs if you do a Web search, or her email is hab_wil2@yahoo.com.
I've donated some things from my shop for her fund raising activities. She is great to deal with.
__________________ "Saving One Greyhound May Not Change the World, but It Certainly Will Change the World for That One Greyhound."
Last edited by cloud10; 08-28-2009 at 10:48 PM.
Reason: additional info
I ordered the Premier Sure Fit from Amazon. Thanks!
My MINI is in the shop getting a front end fix (got backed into), so the harness and the MINI should be ready at the same time. My puppy is growing like crazy, so I hope it still fits him!
"Saving One Greyhound May Not Change the World, but It Certainly Will Change the World for That One Greyhound."
