I'm interested on the Ruff Wear Web Master Dog Harness for my shiba but have a few questions after reading the reviews. His chest has a diameter of 22", so I believe that means I have to get the size XS. But I've been reading reviews that the last strap hits the penis or is too close to it, so there is a chance they can pee on it. So if anyone has an XS one, I was wondering if I may have the exact measurements and what their experience is regarding that situation, lol.
Also, how easy is it to put on the dog? Or, do you have any other suggestions for a sporty looking harness with a handle?
Thanks!
Any pictures of your dogs wearing the harness is also appreciated :)
I've used the webmaster for both my guys. Initially for my boy since he was an escape artist and then a handmedown for my girl Penny. I got him an xs when he was about 7 months old. No problem with the rear strap getting wet. You just have to make sure the excess isn't dangling. It seemed though when he became full grown that the harness appeared a little small. Presently,I am using the Dean & Tyler xt for both my dogs. It has only a belly strap and easier to put on. Both harnesses have handles. The dog has to step in the front strap for the webmaster. Also, I found that the straps had to be adjusted frequently.
INUs D&T size is small and Penny's D&T size is xs
I am now looking into the EZYDOG harness, but have'nt tried it yet.
I have the ruff wear harness. I don't know Kiba's exact measurements, but he is an average sized Shiba and wears an XS. I agree with INU RYUU about the precaution for preventing the strap getting wet. It's easy to put on and I like the security of the vest (he can't wiggle out) and I love the handle.
I have the webmaster harness for my dog(s). Right now Kyuubi is using a size XS, which is actually for Mika, but he's using it for now until he grows out of it and we upgrade him to a size S. I actually love the harness because it is easier for me to grab a hold of the pups when I need to :)
I've also looked at the Ezydog harness and will probably get that as well as it is easier and more lightweight for our daily walks.
If you are open to other options, I actually just ordered a D&T harness and it should be coming in tomorrow. I will give it a quick review once I get a chance to try it out this weekend. =) Mac's Action Adventure Stories
Julie or anyone with the webmaster... Does the webmaster harness cause any irritation?? Just wondering she Jake got pretty irritated with the last harness he had - an easy walk. I was curious because I really like the webmaster but I'm nervous it's going to lead to rubbing/skin irritation!
Hey Amanda, so far there has been no rubbing or chafing on Kyuubi when he wears it. It is nicely padded and so far nothing. :) But he doesn't always wear the webmaster harness. He still wears the baby blue puppia harness that I got for Mika last year more often than the webmaster harness.
@Lockshi, INU wore it regularly for 9 months and Penny for 4 months with no chaffing or irritation. All the areas of contact to the dogs body are padded.
The only reason I changed brands was that I was able to get the D&T harnesses at a good price.
Another nice thing about the webmaster it was easy hand wash. (Alot easier than giving a Shiba a bath, lol).
Got my D&T Harness Friday, got a chance to test it a bit this morning. Will do a more complete write-up on my blog after taking it on a long hike tomorrow. Meanwhile here is a quick video review, please pardon the shakiness of the video:
I always had that issue with the easy walk!! (the breast strap - was never tight enough) - thanks for writing up that prelim. review. it's a pretty nice harness. He is a beautiful beautiful dog and I absolutely love his chill personality lol.
@PupChow you might have been better off with the D&T XS.
Penny is 28lbs. and 15 inches to the hithers. The front strap for her is let out 3".
INU is almost 19" to the hithers and 32 lbs. He wears the small and the front strap let out about 1 inch.
Penny's chest strap is let out by 2 inches and INU's chest strap about 1 ".
Here's a picture of them wearing both the webmaster and D&T Penny's Jacket by Columbia.
Both my guys have been wearing the D&T since February everyday for at least 1 hour. I've noticed no chaffing or irritations at all.
I would not use the D&T for tetherring. Penny backed out of it once. The harness, like others with just one chest strap are prone to this. If you need escape proofing go with the Webmaster. The biggest negative for me about the Webmaster was that the straps needed to be constantly adjusted because the would loosen.
lockshi3: I guess you kind of mellow out a bit after you hit middle age. ;-) I take no credit - breeder did a fine job getting him the look & used to being handled.
heart goes bo0m: Last time at the vet (around 3 months ago?) he was a solid 25lb so I will just assume he is hovering around that range. I am not sure of the proper term, but from the ground to the base of his neck he is 16" tall.
INU RYUU: Thank you for the information, I am especially happy to hear that no chaffing with the wide straps but a bit alarming to hear that they can back out of the harness. I am a bit torn on the sizing (it did shift a little bit during the hike today but it was not bad at all), however, if the smaller size fits it makes sense to step down for less bulk and weight. I am going to order an X-Small to compare because I really like how the harness fits (Mac too, apparently) and would love to get one that fits the best. Mac's Action Adventure Stories
Agreed, The biggest issue I have found is the way the different brands of harness sits, the texture of the straps and where they rub when the dogs moves.
@ Inu Ryuu: about "hithers". I think you mean "withers" which is the area behind the base of the neck where the shoulders come together. Not making fun, just pointing out the correct terminology. : )
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In trying and looking about, often the straps are very large, too large, and they rest too close behind the elbow/font leg and irritate the skin when on the move or the fur puffs through and bunches making things uncomfortable when there is a thick coat. (Last thing you want is a dog trussed up like a turkey). Be on the look out for quality, I know the lift straps on the top are often not placed well. It's good to also have support straps on the under side that go further back toward the groin to allow lifting without injury to shoulders. Never lift unless you have support under and or can help with the rear to distribute weight evenly. On longer dogs with wider chest, like a Shiba, it can be problematic without the right length. Trying on is always a good idea.
Also another consideration is purpose. Not all harness types will be right for regular walks, climbing, and also escape proof, and/or for water, or for repelling etc etc. etc. think carefully what is intended.
I have have had less luck with the pack type harnesses for average to smaller Shibas, they hate it and the bulk and weight distribution makes for a sluggish dog. A larger 30 lb plus dog does better with if they are wide in the chest and on the active side.
We do use a comfort flex harness for training which is soft all the way around. However, I would not use for outdoor adventures without a back up collar with id. It works great for agility and other venues where a collar has to be off, yet you want some control to grab if you need to.
i got my pup his harness! it's a size xs, but i'm a little nervous he will grow out of it... this one is perfect for him right now. he is 8 months, 30 pounds and ~18 inches maybe less. i thought i measured his girth to be 23" and the xs went up to 24". i can still fit my whole hand in the middle strap though... so i hope it will be okay. i like this size because the length is perfect!
if anyone is using a size small - can you please tell me how long it is?
That's look great! Looks like it's a perfect size. He may grow a bit more still and his chest will fill out too so the size may be a bit tight, but perhaps you can exchange with someone here?
Masakado Shiba Inu www.masakadoshiba.wordpress.com "Common sense isn't so common"
Just a point on maintenance. Inu likes to roughhouse at the dog run and after rolling around in the dirt the harness needed to be washed. I would hanrwwash it in warm water and mild soap. Then hang it and let it air dry overnight.
Btw, the straps still fit Inu he is 18 1/2" and 32lbs.
Yuki's Ruffwear Webmaster harness in XS arrived yesterday and it fits perfectly (we tried the sizes on in a local store first). We got this harness mainly because of the escape-proof-ness of it and comfort for hiking.
Here she is looking absolutely thrilled and planning our murder. (She's standing funny because we're still slowly, with lots of treats, trying to convince her it's NOT a Shiba Eater.)
I was wondering how tight you'all had the straps adjusted? Right now I can fit 4 fingers between each strap comfortably and when we pick her up with the handle, there's ~2 inches between the handle/harness and her back. When she sits, it feels just right, but when she's standing, it feels maybe a little loose?
Initially I started out with Webmaster. Just got Penny and INU new webmasters. Penny is xs and INU is s. My adjustment is two fingers slipping between the straps (fingers flat against the body). I switched back to Ruffwear after INUs snap failure (different style harness) and his 5 minute flight to freedom. Suprisingly he knew to lift his leg when I put it on him again.
This looks pretty good for the places me and Niko go. I pick him up sometimes by his harness and I like the comfort control you have. I guess you all would recommend these? Where do you buy them from?
Best price I found is 34.96 at smartpakequine.com also 39.99 altrec.com. at smart pak $75 is free shipping so I used $5 item as a filler (35 +35+5) as oppossed to $80 at altrec.
I have the older version that isn't made anymore, but you can still find it online here and there. Cost me $25 at the Grange, and if I'd have been thinking clearly I would have bought both of them instead of just the one before one of them was bought. It's an XS. It was actually a backpack so $25 was a complete steal, but I cut the packs off and am in the process of transforming it into a Palisades style harness/pack.
Conker's harness is adjusted like any collar, except it's got a bit more wiggle room since it's over his entire back and chest instead of just his neck. I hardly have to re-tighten the straps on this one but the fleece belly strap thing keeps falling off when it isn't buckled. I like the Ruff Wear harnesses a lot, especially that handle. It comes in handy so many times, like when we are hiking and Conker won't jump over something and I have to lift him over or if he gets into a scuffle with someone's dog and I need to grab him.
At what age did you guys start buying these harnesses?
I bought Leo a Small Easy Walk harness - even at 11 weeks now, he can't quite fill up the Harness adjusted to the smallest setting. He can still bite the front strap...
I'm starting puppy classes with him tomorrow - I think I may have to just pick up a tiny temporary collar for now. I need a new leash too, the lock on the Lupine one I bought is too big and heavy for him at the moment... Lol
Leo "JD" Hu | Cream Shiba Inu | DOB: 8/19/2011 | Southern California - LA/OC
Conker was a year when I got his, so he was about full grown. He's real lanky and thin, and the XS is almost too big for him in the chest since the straps can't really be synched down much tighter, the rest of it is fine. The newer model that everyone else has got is more adjustable in the chest area though. I used a regular over-the-head type harness until Conker quit growing so I could accurately buy a Ruff Wear harness for him since it would be my first one.
I think you can somewhat predict how much your dog will weigh by doubling their weight at 4 months? Conker was 12 pounds 11 ounces at 4 months, and he's about 24 pounds now so that was pretty spot on. It does vary from dog to dog and by breed since some grow at different rates but I think it should work for most Shibas.
Both INU and Penny were about 5 months old when I started using the harness. INU still fits into the XS but has only about 1 inch left of strap around his girth and the harness seems a little small so I got him the S and it seems to be a better and more comfortable fit. Right now he is 2 years old, 19 1/2 inches at the whithers, 32 pounds and 23 inches at his girth. Penny XS fits well. She is 1 year old, 15 inches at the whithers, 27 pounds and has a 21 inch girth. (What can I say she loves to eat)
@ INU, thanks for the info! My bf and I were planning on getting Bootz this particular harness but we were scared she'll grow out of it. She's currently 5 months...around 15 pounds.
I got lucky, there is a store across the street from my job that sells Ruffwear products. They only had one Small harness in stock. Too bad they didn't have any Ruffwear leashes left. I'll order online for that.
@Gastu YES! I love to carry Conker like a luggage! He's not too fond of that but hey, at least he's not in a bag o_O I'd like to get a Ruff Wear leash as well, but I'm probably just gonna make one similar to theirs. I've got all the stuff so why not.
lol, the handle is partially the reason I got the harness.
I ordered him a new collar, and a roamer leash. 100 dollars spent on this dog in one day. He's more expensive than a girlfriend! Thinking about it, I bought him with the money I saved up for my then girlfriend's birthday and valentine gift. No wonder she broke up with me!
I also just ordered a XS small one for Aki from smartpakequine. Not sure he will fit it quite yet since he is still about 11 lbs right now at 4 months, but hopefully he will fit it just fine later. Couldn't pass up the $25 deal!
We just received our new harness. Nami was in shock at first and wouldn't move at all, but got used to it within half an hour or so. I love how well-made and paded it is. Great purchase for a steal of a price!
Looks nice! Anybody with two shibas and harness? Thought it'd be funny to see two shibas held by the handle, on the owner's left and right side. Lol :)
