This is one of my favorite topics š I absolutely love dogpacks! I actually think that word doesnāt exist but this is what I call dog backpack carriers. Because dog backpacks can also be the backpack carried by your dog. So I call the carriers dogpacks.
Now these are really a life saver for me. Having a small dog has some huge advantages. And one of them is that I can take him literally anywhere, even where dogs are normally not allowed. How? I just put him in my dogpack and no one will even notice him.
Below youāll find the criteria how to choose the right dogpack along with a list of my favorite examples.
This list is specifically targeting active people. So Iām only featuring carriers that you can actually carry on your back so you have your hands free for other things.
Who needs a dogpack?
In my opinion, every small dog owner needs one! These are the most useful carriers designed for dogs. Before I knew that something like that even existed, I used bulky bag carriers. I never knew how to properly carry them and I felt like I was hitting Baloo with every step. A really uncomfortable experience. Then I discovered a dogpack. Ah, what a relief! Now I can easily cycle with Baloo, take him to the grocery store (he has separation anxiety so leaving him outside the store is no option) or on public transport. Or once I even took him to a wine tasting in his dogpack. I just put him underneath the bench and no one even noticed him. And on the picture above we took him on a small boat trip. A big plus is also that he looooves all sorts or carriers. Heās a curler so he loves to curl up in a small space and sleep. Just wonderful.
I think dogpacks are especially handy for urban people with small dogs. Especially if youāre a frequent user of public transport or a cycler, a dogpack is a must. Even if dogs are not allowed on public transport at all, in most dogpacks your pupās invisible. Jackpot! What I really like about this solution as well, is that you donāt necessarily need a car to have a dog. A dogpack just makes you be much more flexible.
How to choose the right dogpack
There are basically three different kinds of dogpacks with lots of under categories. There are the closed versions, where your pupper can move around inside the carrier. Then there are the āheads outā versions where your pupper sits inside the dogpack and only sticks his head out. And then there are the ālegs freeā versions where your dog either has all four legs or just the front legs hanging out.
Closed Carrier
These dogpacks can just as well be used as normal carriers. Theyāre closed on all sides and usually have some parts made of mesh material for ventilation purpose and for your pooch to look outside. If your pup is a rather small one, he can easily move around inside this kind of dogpack. Baloo can even stand, he can comfortably sit and lie down. You can usually also open the top and front compartment, clip your dogās collar to the strap provided for it and then let him stick his head out if he likes.
āHeads outā carriers
These are very soft carriers with a closed bottom but with a hole on top so that your pooch always has his head sticking out. In these dogpacks, you basically have to seat your pooch inside and he has to remain in that position. On the top part there is an adjustable strap so that your dog canāt jump outside.
This can be a good solution if you have a very relaxed small pup. Itās only made for dogs up to about 15 lb (6.8 kg). Also, you should only use it for short distances. Your dog can get very hot inside because heās having cloth all around himself. Whatās very useful about it is that you can easily put it away because itās very soft.
āLegs freeā carriers
These carriers usually basically consist of just a little bit of cloth that you have to put on your dog like some kind of clothing. Heās then sort of hanging in it like a baby. While they look incredibly cute, I doubt that this position is very comfortable for a dog. Another option are the K9 sacks where the bottom is closed and heās just sticking his head and front paws out.
Top choices
Closed carriers
Petsfit backpackĀ
This is my favorite. Itās made for small dogs until 15 lb (although I think up to 17.5 lb (about 8 kg) should still be fine). What I like most about it is that your small dog can sit, turn around or lie down (if heās a curler) inside your dogpack. That means a maximum of relaxation possibility. Another big benefit are the mesh parts in front and on top that you can open with a zipper. That way you can have it open if your pup likes fresh air. Or have it closed if he should relax. It also has an inside clip to fix your puppers collar in case you have the dogpack open. Another really nice feature is the possibility to fold it if not in use. That way you can strap it onto your backpack or luggage which makes it really handy.
The only thing thatās lacking is a strap or something like that to keep it together when folded. If you fold it, the upper and bottom part just hang loose so you always have to tie it onto something in order to keep it together. But you can just take any strap to do that yourself.
Prefer PetsĀ
This dogpack is airline approved which makes it the perfect traveling companion! What I really like about it is that you can use it as a backpack but also as a normal bag carrier. That versatility is really handy for traveling. Your pup can stretch out and relax, which is also a plus. All mesh sides can be closed by an extra layer in case you want to use it as a normal bag when your pooch isnāt using it.
A con is that your dog wonāt be able to sit inside because of the airline approved size. Since it has to fit under the seat in front of you in cabin, it canāt be very high. But that makes it easier for your pooch to relax and take a nap while in the dogpack.
Pet MagazineĀ
Another good option for air travel is this dogpack. Whatās particularly nice about it is that you can zip open the 2 side panels to give your pupper extra room to stretch out when the carrier is on the ground.
Pawfect Pets
Another good solution if youāre looking for a closed dogpack. An advantage this one has over the petsfit are the pouches on the side where you can put dog treats or other small things away. You can also unzip it and and fold it for storage. The only other difference compared to the Petsfit carrier is its shape on top. While the Petsfit is flat, this one has more like a half triangular shape.
Snoozer Wheel
This carrier also makes a great travel bag, since it can either be carried as a backpack or pulled like a suitcase. The medium size should easily fit for air travel while the large might be just a bit too big.
āLegs freeā carriers
K9 Sport Sack AirĀ
This is a very nice dogpack for small, medium sized and even large dogs. So if you have a pooch on the bigger end, this might be the dogpack for you.
Itās definitely built to sit comfortably on your back. However, I would only recommend to use this backpack for shorter trips. Because your pooch has to sit in somewhat of an unnatural position inside this backpack. He canāt turn or lie down so you shouldnāt use it for hours on end.
A big pro is that itās soft so you can easily put it away in your normal backpack when not in use. Also, you can carry this dogpack with a small pooch in front while you carry your normal backpack on your back. This isnāt possible with the closed ones, theyāre too bulky for this. Another biiig plus is that you can add a storage bag on the outside. This solves the problem of where to put your own backpack indefinitely. But itās more of a daypack size so for long term traveling, itās probably not enough.
A con is that this is not the dogpack to sneak your pup in somewhere because heās clearly visible in it. But youāll likely get lots of awws and āoh how cuteās on the street.
One thing that customers complained about was that it gets very hot very quickly. This might be a serious concern in summer. Even though the K9 Sport Sack has ventilation, it will get hot very quickly. And having a hot dog against your hot back will probably result in a lot of sweat. So I recommend to only use it during the colder seasons.
My choice
Personally, I like the the closed carriers best. Your pup can adopt a more natural position.. Like this, your pup can properly relax and sleep inside. And your pooch is mostly invisible. Also I like the feature that you can open the top part for your pupper to look outside. Some dogs really like having a view. For Baloo this wouldnāt be a good idea. Heās a bit of a control freak and wouldnāt be able to relax if he saw everything. Thatās why I leave it closed. But the good thing is you have the choice.
Which dogpack are you using? Tell me your favorits in the comments down below, maybe we can add some to the list.