by Walker Parks | on June 1st, 2010 | in Features, Swag the Dog
Ruby and Angus have been on the road a lot this winter, traveling back and forth between Santa Fe and Taos. But when you’re covered in mud and shedding enough to knit a new dog, it’s good manners to bring your own bed. Which one to pack depends—camping? staying at the dogsitter’s? sleeping in the car? Banished outside for scarfing up three bags of blue corn chips (never mind…).
So we had them test the best travel dog beds out there. Their methods don’t lie: Like a bed? Curl up on it. No like? Ignore it. Once they were done trashing them, we tested them to see which cleaned up best and came up with a few clear winners. —Elizabeth Hightower
THE CONTENDERS:
Ruby, packed and ready with her Mud River suitcase and Mud River Cache Cushion. Think of them as her checked and her carry-on luggage.
Ruby ready to bivvy with the Harry Barker Hemp Bedroll and the Ruffwear Mt. Bachelor Pad
THE REVIEWS:
1) The Frisco, $80.00
Mud River Dog Products, mudriverdogproducts.com
Folded 30”L x 6”W x 22”H; Unfolded 44”L x 30”W x 3”H
Here’s how cool they are at Arkansas-based Mud River: They bring other people’s dogs to work. When we talked with Morgan at this gentlemen’s hunting outfitter (Motto: “Dirty Trucks, Lonely Wives, Happy Dogs”), she’d brought a former employee’s pup to the office. She sent the monster Frisco, which has inspired Mud River’s hunters to proclaim: “If I’da wanted to bring a suitcase, I’da brought my wife!” Nonetheless, this seemed like the best option for geriatric Angus: three inches of thick EVA foam, heavy waxed canvas cover, and the size of a climbing crash pad. He was not interested. In fact, no dog set foot on the Frisco in three months of exposure. Our 8-year-old friend, Finn, however, made quick use of the pad. Motto: You’ve got to have smarter dogs to use this one.
2) The Cache Cushion, $30
Mud River Dog Products, mudriverdogproducts.com
29″ L x 37″W
A really handsome portable number, backed in waxed canvas. Pros: With velcro straps, it rolls up tight, with quality construction and a snappy color scheme of loden fleece trimmed in safety orange. Cons: Not for a 90-pound lab. If Angus thought the Frisco was “tooooo hard,” this one was “tooo small and toooo thin.” We passed it on to Danger and Cooper, our K9 rescue friends, for their travel crates. Also, keep this in mind for all travel dog beds: Hair really likes fleece. The Cache Cushion cleans up nicely in the wash, but until then, it’s a hair party waiting to happen.
3) Mount Bachelor Pad, $59.95 medium, $74.95 large
Ruffwear, ruffwear.com
Medium (38” l x 29” w, 1” loft); Large (48” x 36”, 1” loft)
Faced in recycled fleece, filled with thermal padding, and backed in PVC-free, waterproof recycled polycloth, the Bachelor Pad is the only one of these to block ground moisture. Throw it in the mud, hose it off, drip it dry, and then roll it up tight with its velcro straps. By far the best for camping and any wet pursuits, and the dogs seemed to dig it. Downside? Check out the hair.
2) Hemp Stripe Bedroll, $48.00-84.00
Harry Barker, harrybarker.com
Extra Small (25″ l x 19″ w); Small (31″ x 21″); Medium (37″ x 24″); Large (43″ x 29″)
Ruby Likes! Major style points for this one—it comes in five different colors of haute-hippie stripes—plus it’s got the most loft. Everything is eco, from the azo-free dyes to the recycled fiberfill padding; the hemp is plenty rugged, and dog hair brushes right off. It’s also the easiest to roll up, with an attached hemp strap and Fastco buckle, as opposed to Velcro straps. We were dubious that this one would dry well, since it’s a bit thicker than the rest. But it was wash and wear. The bedroll also comes in five colors of recycled fleece, from $14.99 to $29.99. Match the color to your dog hair, or go with our recommendation and spring for the durable hemp.
THE VERDICT:
For camping, wet work, river trips or active use, the Mount Bachelor Pad is the bed to beat, and a doggie fave. Visiting friends, road-tripping, heading to the ski house? Pack the Hemp Stripe Bedroll, the comfiest of the bunch. Hunting? You’ll need Mud River, if only for the bomber quality and safety orange chic.
by Grayson Schaffer | on December 15th, 2009 | in Features, Swag the Dog, Things Dog People Wear
Nice work, Danger, five greenheads and a drake pintail. Doesn't get any better than that.
Can’t really beat Patagonia’s quilted Again Jacket ($125) as all-purpose undergarment and outerwear. The nylon/wool/poly blend is eminantly soft while the trim styling makes either a nice midlayer for skiing or duck hunting or outer layer for around town.
by Grayson Schaffer | on November 18th, 2009 | in Swag the Dog, Things Dog People Wear
Gotta hang your whistle on something. Here’s a handsome two-clip braided leather whistle lanyard from Avery. Keeps me from losing whistles so fast. $28
by Grayson Schaffer | on November 12th, 2009 | in Features, Swag the Dog
Kennel covers are great for keeping the icy wind off your dog in the back of your truck in winter and keeping disease-causing mosquitos out of your pup’s crate in the summer. One other reason I like ‘em: When you zip the screens shut, they make it just dark—like stop barking and go to sleep dark. $90.
by Alicia Carr | on November 9th, 2009 | in Features, Swag the Dog
The wait was long. Four to six weeks for lab results drags on until you nearly forget about them. Then, one day, they arrive in your mailbox and everything you’ve been waiting for, like the results of the Canine Heritage Breed Test, is right there in your hand, sealed. Will the word “saluki” grace Rio’s Certificate of DNA Breed Analysis? And American staffordshire terrier (aka pit bull) be printed on Odin’s?
Well, as it turns out, no. No, no, and more no. Apparently, we were only right about one thing. But before I let you in on that, here are a couple more pictures so you can gather your final guesses.
Odin, the “pit bull”
Rio, the “saluki”
Within the results of a Canine Heritage Breed Test there are three groups in their analysis–primary breed, secondary, and “in the mix.” Dogs like Rio and Odin, who are mixed breed, will only have something listed under primary if one of their parents is purebred. Primary also indicates that a dog is mainly made up of a specific breed. Unfortunately, “primary” was left blank for both of my dogs, meaning neither hailed from a purebred. Had there been something listed, I would have been able to attribute my dogs’ characteristics more significantly to that certain breed.
Secondary breeds are those that “might be easily recognizable within your dog.” Here’s where I would guess rhodesian ridgeback for Rio because of her golden coloring, floppy ears, and large chest. The last category, “in the mix,” is made up of breeds that affect a dog’s composition in very small amounts, but are recognizable as markers in a dog’s DNA.
Drumroll. Please.
I present Rio:
Primary Breed: Nada
Secondary Breed: German Shorthaired Pointer
In the Mix: Australian Shepherd (thus, the furry tail and petite stature)
Rhodesian Ridgeback (ding, ding, ding!)
And now, Odin:
Primary Breed: Nope.
Secondary Breed: Sorry, my friend.
In the Mix: Boxer (the source of his brindled coat, white chest, and cat-like boxing moves)
Collie (also possibly the culprit behind the white chest)
Shetland Sheepdog (why he rounds up cattle)
Pembroke Welsh Corgi (wtf?)
According to the breakdown of the analysis, when a dog only has breeds listed “in the mix,” it is likely that only small traces of these breeds will be noticeable in the animal. Perhaps that’s why Odin isn’t “10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder” like a corgi and doesn’t hold down a Tina Turner-like mane like his ancestors, the collie and Shetland sheepdog, but why he does have high-perched ears, a high-pitched bark, and a high-velocity ability to wrangle cattle.
Was I surprised about Rio? Nah. She might not have the brown-and-white spots of a German shorthaired pointer, but she’s got the moves to prove it; She chases down rabbits like it’s nobody’s business.
In the end, it’s nice to know Odin is not a pit bull (for home owners’ insurance purposes) and to be able to attribute his boxing habits (I swear, they exist) to something and not the idea that he was raised by a cat before coming into our home. Besides that, we didn’t learn much about our dogs that we didn’t already know. They won’t change because we know sort of who their grandparents were. But, it does fill that little thing inside called curiosity.
Are you surprised by my dogs’ results? Would you test your dog based on my experience?
by Chance Googling | on November 4th, 2009 | in Swag the Dog, Things Dogs Wear
In case you’re wondering whether dog fashion has gone over the top: Yes, dog fashion has gone over the top. Here are a few of the prime innovators (or offenders) of late:
Add any others as comments. . .
by Grayson Schaffer | on November 3rd, 2009 | in Features, Pampering, Swag the Dog
I got my eye on you, Cooper
Here’s simple yet stylish slip lead from Avery. It’s braided leather and of the style and short length that’s perfect for quick walks where you don’t want your dog straying too far. Note, if your dog doesn’t have a good heel or is prone to pulling out, you’ll know it as soon as you slap this lead on. $30.
by Alicia Carr | on November 2nd, 2009 | in Features, Swag the Dog
I’ve never been sure about what breed my two, raucous dogs are. I’ve been close to sure. I’ve had vets make suggestions and the dog-obsessed hint at a trace of this or that breed, but every time I almost have it nailed down, someone tells me otherwise or the dog pulls a stunt I’ve never seen. For instance, my mostly-black brindle dog, Odin, is quite possibly 90% pit bull. The shelter “sold” him to us as a lab mix, of course, but there’s no questioning his box-shaped melon and the marble-like coloring of his fur. Until, that is, we were out hiking and came across a scattered group of cattle. Never before have I seen him round up cattle. All it took was some high-pitched barking and nipping at their heels and he had them all in a small herd in the corner of the field. Um, border collie? Australian shepherd? General nuisance?
I don’t know why I’m so eager to find out what breeds actually inhabit their floppy ears and droopy eyes. It won’t change anything. They’ll still be the same pooches that they’ve always been. But knowing that there is a test out there that can reveal this piece of information makes me curious. When I first came across the Canine Heritage Breed Test, the process that is able to break down a dogs DNA to find its primary, secondary, and tertiary breeds, the company was only able to define roughly 68 breeds. That may sound like a lot but, when it comes to the hundreds of dog breed that exist, that’s just a pinprick in what should be a gaping hole. I was further deterred because someone had suggested my red dog, Rio, is part saluki—the oldest domesticated dog known to man—and that breed (which I’d never even heard of) did not grace the Canine Heritage Breed Test’s list.
Today, however, the test is able to detect over 100 breeds including said saluki as well as other rarities like wirehaired pointing griffon, a hunting dog that resembles an even longer-haired version of a wirehaired German pointer, or keeshonden, what looks like a mix between a chow chow and an Alaskan malamute. One hundred breeds is definitely not the gamut but saluki now exists on their list, so I figured that was my cue.
At first, I questioned the validity of it, but then I came across this:
“The Canine Heritage Breed Test began with the search for a set of unique DNA markers, known as SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms), which could identify the breed of a purebred dog. We started by testing over 400 different DNA markers on over 100 [AKC-recognized] purebred breeds to identify the unique combination of markers that describe each breed. After testing thousands of purebred dogs, a unique breed DNA profile was developed using over 400 DNA markers per breed. From these initial markers we identified a smaller subset of markers used for the Canine Heritage Breed Test. This final marker set, based on a blind study using thousands of dogs that have been verified to be purebred by AKC certification, was able to successfully assign the correct breed over 99% of the time when testing purebred dogs that are among our identifiable breeds. These markers were then applied and validated on mixed breed dog populations.”
How it works: You order a test kit from canineheritage.com ($120) which includes a cheek swab brush which you’ll use to collect cells from the inside of your dog’s cheek. You stick the swab into the data collection envelope they send, stamp it, mail it, and sit back for four- to six-weeks twiddling your thumbs. Collecting the cells is easier than you think. It’s simply like brushing the inside of the dog’s cheek for 30 seconds with what looks like a mascara brush.
When submitting the test, they ask for a voluntary photograph of your dog. I opted not to send one. While I’m sure the labs at the testing facility aren’t cooing at dog photos and going, “I don’t know, he looks more cocker spaniel than miniature pinscher,” I didn’t want to sway them one way or the other.
Give it your best shot. What breed do you think my dogs are?
Name: Odin
Age: 2
Name: Rio
Age: 2.5
What’s your best guess?
by Walker Parks | on October 29th, 2009 | in Swag the Dog, Training Equipment
Mallard drake on the left. Hi-vis flasher on the right.
Can’t really have too many training dummies around when you’re always chucking them in the river. Inevitably one or two never return. The Avery models are hollow rubber, more like an artfully decorated version of the classic boating bumpers. $25
by Grayson Schaffer | on October 27th, 2009 | in Features, Swag the Dog, Training Equipment
I'm going to go make myself a sandwich. You guys better still be on that stand when I get back.
I’ve recommended having your dog sit on a chair for some of the basic training drills, but here’s a piece of equipment well known to retriever trainers that’s even better. This one is the Avery Ruff Stand and runs $180. Dog stands are typically used to give your pup a lift out of the fridged waters of duck marshes, but they’re also a great way to get him up to eye level for hold conditioning, eye contact, place training, and anything else you’d normally have to crouch down to accomplish. For a young pup, the stand also builds confidence for higher places (make sure there’s no hard landing around the stand if you’ve got a very young dog) and provides a stable surface to teach loading (jump on or into something) and under, which is great if you’re in a public place and you want to keep your dog out of the way.
by Grayson Schaffer | on October 10th, 2009 | in Features, Things Dog People Wear
Columbia's Super Wader Widgeon Parka
- Camo is not a style
- Camo shall be worn only during and en route to hunting. No exceptions—even in the name of irony.
- Places camo should never be found: Seat covers, coolers, ladies undergarments, auto paint jobs, beer coozies
- Face paint is acceptable
- Camo matters. So does warmth, even more so in duck hunting than in athletic endeavors where the body can generate heat. To that end, I’ve lately been favoring Columbia’s Super Wader Widgeon Parka, which pairs a zip-off reversable down jacket that’s black on one side and camo on the other (see #2, above) with a seam-sealed storm shell that comes complete with ammo-disppensing tube, wrist gaskets, and a cinching hood. $720 (Yeah, it’s a lot but it’s, like, five jackets in one.)
by Walker Parks | on September 18th, 2009 | in Things Dogs Wear
Cozy Hemp Collar
Natural Hemp Leash
Planet Dog announced last week that they’re adding new sizes and colors—pink, blue, and natural—to their fleece-lined Cozy Hemp Collar and Natural Hemp Leash. The combo is straightforward and simple—perfect for around-town use.
by Grayson Schaffer | on September 17th, 2009 | in Things Dogs Wear
Don't pet me patch
Nothing will spin your dog up or teach him to pull out on his leash like a stranger diving in on him with baby talk and aggressive petting. This is a dangerous combination that can lead your dog to view every stranger out ahead of you as a reward worth sprinting toward. We’ve talked about a few ways to prevent this kind of thing; here’s another: signage.
by Walker Parks | on September 15th, 2009 | in Features, Pampering, Swag the Dog
The Big Shrimpy Original
Dogs don’t need much help when it comes to sleeping. They’re amazingly proficient at it. If there’s a couple square feet of soft turf somewhere out there, they’re probably already snoozing on it. But I’ve noticed something about the Big Shrimpy Original dog bed my two dogs have been snoozing on for the past year or so. They’re addicted to it. I’ve had a few other beds floating around the house, and there’s no shortage of space on the carpet and backyard. Yet every time I pull the three-inch thick Big Shrimpy bed out from under mine, both dogs practically jump over me to stake out their spot on it. (more…)
by Walker Parks | on September 14th, 2009 | in Toys
Here’s a new chew-ball out from Ruff. The Square ball features heavy construction and thick rounded corners that make it look enviting enough to gnaw on, yourself, just to see what you’re missing. The hollow center is perfect for hiding jerkey-style strip treats.
by Grayson Schaffer | on September 4th, 2009 | in Features, Swag the Dog
Cooper had to settle for a rent-controlled loft
I still can’t figure out why those molded plastic dog igloos cost $125, or more if you’re adding a pad and a door. Here’s an easy alternative that’s free. Just go down to your local car wash and ask for a soap barrel. Use a jigsaw or Sawsall to cut a hatch in the front. Drill a few holes in the bottom for drainage, and prop it up on some 2×4s or a piece of steel if you have one handy. Mine took me ten minutes to make and didn’t cost a thing. Just be sure you wash the soap out completely.
by Walker Parks | on August 31st, 2009 | in Features, Things Dogs Wear
I will now attempt the 5.12 dog-width crack
Ever leave your pup at home because the terrain you’ll be tackling is too rough? Now you’ve got another option: add your pooch to your ropeline. The RuffWear Doubleback Harness is a full, strength-rated climbing rig that cups your dog by the backs of the hind legs and chest—just like a full chest harness on a human. The Doubleback can be used to catch a canine fall, lower him off rapel anchors, or hoist him into a helicopter. Available later this fall. (We’ll update you when they’re ready and have a price.)
by Grayson Schaffer | on August 28th, 2009 | in Features, Things Dog People Wear
Hey, there's me and Danger doing the grin and grip this morning. That's the Heritage Field Shirt. The Double-Tin Chaps are from Filson.
Readers of Outside should know by now that Seattle clothing maker Eddie Bauer is in the middle of a major push to reclaim its heritage. Last winter saw the release of technical winter wear like backcountry ski jackets and ultra-light down insulation. Now comes the field line, a full spectrum of upland wear from strap vests to field shirts to brush pants. We had the whole catalog in our office the other day, and I couldn’t help but pick out a few goodies to put right to work. One thing I like about this stuff: it fits, unlike most hunting brands, which are sized three times larger than the average human.
The Heritage Field Shirts are made from brushed cotton that looks like wool—only without the scratching and overheating. For early fall hunts in the mountains, it’s the perfect weight. And I can wear it right into the office after dawn patrol without a change.
Heritage Field Shirts
The Removeable Gamebag Strap Vest updates some of the classic game vest features by adding water bottle holders and zip-off game pouch for shorter walks and easy de-feathering. The whole idea of a strap vest is a little outdated in the age of silkified nylon packs, but this one does a nice job of not getting in the way. The straps are totally adjustable, which keeps the pockets in easy reach. This baby holds just enough for what you need—a few extra shells and maybe a Clif Bar or two.
The strap vest
OK, so I think someone might have noticed if the $700 Three Season Harris Tweed Sport Jacket had gone missing. The jacket is paired with a trim-cut down vest that features leather piping for durability and, of course, looks. Note to self: Track down Harris Tweed for bird hunt in Scotland—or the Texas panhandle, just for effect.
Harris Tweed Sport Coat
by Grayson Schaffer | on August 21st, 2009 | in Features, Pampering
Oh no, Danger, don't get up. Can I bring you anything?
Among dog-friendly hotels, the Little Nell, in downtown Aspen next to the Gondola terminal, is king. Danger and Cooper were greeted with dog beds in their room and dog bowls full of treats and toys wheeled up on a cart. While we biked the trails and roads around town, the doggies were treated to walks by the excellent staff. The list of dog amenities includes:
- Personalized brass identification tags
- Food and water bowls
- Dog beds
- Pet menu selections
- Dog walking and sitting on request
- Recommended groomers
- Petiquette, a handbook of guidelines for pet and pet owners
- Recommended pet-friendly hiking trails
- Epicurean treats
by Walker Parks | on July 10th, 2009 | in Features, good eats
Bake-at-Home Dog Biscuits
Healthy, organic dog treats are easy and inexpensive to make at home. Most recipes call for ingredients that anyone who likes to bake already has on hand, and if your dog has dietary restrictions you can also control exactly what goes into their treats. Homemade dog treats also make excellent party gifts for dog-loving friends. I chose two pretty simple recipes to start: bacon and cheddar biscuits and peanut butter biscuits (recipes follow) and have distributed the results among ten of our office dogs with the hopes of some feedback—woof! Two paws up or down? If these first two recipes are a success with our testers, pumpkin patch biscuits and carrot cheese muffins will be next. Stay tuned!
Bacon and Cheese Biscuits
3/4 cup Flour1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
2/3 cup Butter
2/3 cup Brown Sugar
1 Egg
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
1 cup Cheddar Cheese — shredded
1/2 cup Wheat Germ
1/2 pound Bacon, Turkey Bacon or bacon bits
Combine flour, soda and salt; mix well and set aside. Cream butter and sugar, beat in egg and vanilla. Add flour mix mixing well. Stir in oats, cheese, wheat germ and bacon. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 16 minutes. Cool and enjoy.
Bacon & Cheddar Biscuits coming out of the oven
Peanut Butter Biscuits
2 cups whole wheat flour1 cup wheat germ
1 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
Combine flour wheat germ and salt in large bowl then mix in peanut butter, egg oil and water. Roll dough out onto a lightly floured surface till about 1/2 inch thick, then cut out the biscuits using a cookie cutter — (or make squares). Put the biscuits onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees, 15 mins for the smaller sized cookies and up to 35 mins. for larger shaped ones.
Cookie cutter Peanut Butter Biscuits
by Walker Parks | on July 1st, 2009 | in Features, Swag the Dog
Ruff's Knot-a-Leash
The five-foot Knot-a-Leash, from Ruff, is sturdy and durable and with a carabiner to lock into the collar or harness there’s no worry that enthusiastic dogs will come unclipped. The style of the leash is inspired by a climbing rope, and the material pulls taught and absorbs shock well, while the Comfortgrip webbing handle makes for the most comfortable leash I have ever held. Even when a dog is pulling quite hard, the handle does not cut into or rub your skin and it can be comfortably held in your hand or around your wrist. $25
by Walker Parks | on June 23rd, 2009 | in Swag the Dog, Things Dogs Wear
Maggie making off in her harness
While Maggie is no Houdini when it comes to her traditional harness, she is an energetic walker who loves to chase down the unsuspecting cat in between vigorous sniffing sessions. The harness she has been wearing for years was a vast improvement over “leash on collar” walks, but there was definitely even more control when we walked with the Web Master. The harness was a bit more fitted than your standard harness, and the design of the harness prevented it from slipping around too much as Maggie walked. The support it provides really helped with the pulling, and when Maggie was off leash she was still able to run freely and didn’t seem hindered by the extra material/padding. The harness is lined with a soft material so it should not irritate the skin of dogs with even the shortest of coats. An added bonus is the handle on the back which made it easy to grab hold and lift Maggie into the car, as well as pick her up and move her quickly away from inappropriate snacks along the road or trail.
by Grayson Schaffer | on June 16th, 2009 | in Swag the Dog
The shearing of Danger
Shedding season is here. If you’re ever curious how Labs and other working water dogs can spend so much time in freezing water, just check out that thick wooly undercoat that starts to work its way loose after the snow melts. Lately, Danger has been looking a lot like a shaggy brown llama. What to do? I’ve seen this blade-like product called the Furminator in a few catalogs recently. The trainers at ADW swear by it. At the risk of sounding like an infomercial salesman, I’ve tried a lot of brushes, but the Furminator crushes them all. It somehow manages to reach in and strip away the undercoat without trimming the long overcoat. Danger loves getting groomed, he feels cooler in the sun, and there’s less hair piling up around the house. $60
by Grayson Schaffer | on June 3rd, 2009 | in Features, Swag the Dog, Things Dogs Wear
Danger briefly considered obeying and then ran off
Danger got to try out Mountainsmith’s Sport Line Dog Pack this weekend on an overnighter into the Pecos Wilderness. It’s got three pockets, variously outfitted with quick-draining mesh and waterproof zippers to carry everything from food to water to leashes and tie-out cords. The thing I love most about this pack is that its fleece-padded strap system doesn’t require the dog to step through anything in order to get it on. Two straps go under his belly and a connecter from the front strap comes up his sternum to connect to the collar strap. The trade-off is that you end up with a few more dangling tag ends than some of the other dog packs I’ve tested.$60.
One other quick tip about dog packs. They’re a great tool for teaching your dog to heel on a single track. By doubling the dog’s width, the pack forces the dog to stay behind you on a narrow trail. This is immensly helpful when horses or aggressive petters might be coming down the trail ahead of you.
Following Mace down the trail
Danger gettin' his pack on
