SarahNukka&Shadow Posted September 16, 2010 Report Share Posted September 16, 2010 Right anyone who works their pooches I need your help! I have a medium manmat Xback, tried it on my boy and it fits but seems to be a little tight around the kneck area, so my question is how fitted is too fitted? Obviously it cant be too loose or it will wiggle around but I also dont want it so tight that it cuts off anything vital!?? So what do you think? Should I try to sell and order a large? Ooooor because I'm going to be scootering with him and the gang line is going to be fastened at the handel base maybe a H back might be better? He does have one that fit lovley but its not padded? Help!! Im stuck and I really want to start scootering with him as his energy levels have really taken off with his gaining confidence! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparks Posted September 16, 2010 Report Share Posted September 16, 2010 sorry i cant help with this, as i dont run mine, i hope someone will be able to help you with this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rose Posted September 16, 2010 Report Share Posted September 16, 2010 can u fit 2/3 fingers underneath harness in neck area ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siberian_wolf Posted September 16, 2010 Report Share Posted September 16, 2010 Im quite sure that its the same as fitting a collar. As rose said, you should be able to fit 2-3 fingers between the dog and the harness comfortably Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahNukka&Shadow Posted September 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2010 Really that tight? Yeah I can do that so maybe its a perfect fit then! Will bring it to camp with us and get some proper opinions in person I think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted September 16, 2010 Report Share Posted September 16, 2010 I've got a large you can try at camp hun for comparison x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISDW Posted October 5, 2010 Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 Just to revisit this, I thought that my harnesses fitted my dogs perfectly until we went on a training weekend. You should be able to fit 2 fingers underneath, and most of my harnesses it turned out were too big! So very snug is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted October 5, 2010 Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 hmmm - i thought the ones i had fit ok but if i get a smaller size it won't correctly down their back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sutsibe Posted October 5, 2010 Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 Here's a page that talks about fitting a harness: http://www.mushingsupplies.com/pdfs/xBackHarness_fitting.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid_Wolf Posted October 5, 2010 Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 Greys and Kiras I can fit a whole hand underneith, but they both run comfortably so Im happy with them atm, I may upgrade them when I have a job anyway, so they match their collars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ole Posted October 6, 2010 Report Share Posted October 6, 2010 hmmm - i thought the ones i had fit ok but if i get a smaller size it won't correctly down their back? You're probably looking at a custom x-back harness then Sarah or try a different brand. When I was fitting dogs at the start I really didn't have a notion. If someone said there dogs was a 24" neck I presumed a 24" harness was the right fit, as the neck measurments were correct. Ole is a 21.5 inch neck and the Zima harness is perfect on him in L which is 21". It's a very snug fit around the neck with the collared design. It's the first perfect fitting harness on Ole and once he pulls the tug goes to the base of the tail and the harness sits flat and snugly around the body. The Nordkyn xback however needs to go down to a 20" neck to fit him, and in the ManMat he's a L. The ManMat would be a bit big by half an inch maybe more but the size M cuts underneath the legs and only pulls 3/4 way down the back and not hitting the base of the tail. I've been experimenting with different brands now and it's amazing the difference in the fit, I think you have to try the brand of harness on the dog to get that perfect fit. A good guide as the others suggested is you should be only able to get 2 fingers between the neck and harness. If it's too big it will slide of the dogs shoulder causing discomfort, and the dog might not run right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahNukka&Shadow Posted October 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 You're probably looking at a custom x-back harness then Sarah or try a different brand. When I was fitting dogs at the start I really didn't have a notion. If someone said there dogs was a 24" neck I presumed a 24" harness was the right fit, as the neck measurments were correct. Ole is a 21.5 inch neck and the Zima harness is perfect on him in L which is 21". It's a very snug fit around the neck with the collared design. It's the first perfect fitting harness on Ole and once he pulls the tug goes to the base of the tail and the harness sits flat and snugly around the body. The Nordkyn xback however needs to go down to a 20" neck to fit him, and in the ManMat he's a L. The ManMat would be a bit big by half an inch maybe more but the size M cuts underneath the legs and only pulls 3/4 way down the back and not hitting the base of the tail. I've been experimenting with different brands now and it's amazing the difference in the fit, I think you have to try the brand of harness on the dog to get that perfect fit. A good guide as the others suggested is you should be only able to get 2 fingers between the neck and harness. If it's too big it will slide of the dogs shoulder causing discomfort, and the dog might not run right. This is facinating Rita! I was looking at a manmat too as thats what I had before and liked and thats what Sarah has.. we tried her large on Shadow at camp and it seeeeeeemed to fit him but now Im thinking I didnt look properly enough! Hes going to be a tricky fit too I think as I think he has some Mally in him so hes a much squarer build than your average sibe.. hes big and has quite a deep chest. Maybe I would be better off getting him messured up and buying something specially made but I might not have this in time for the training rally on 6/7th nov! Ooooh dilema!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid_Wolf Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 This is facinating Rita! I was looking at a manmat too as thats what I had before and liked and thats what Sarah has.. we tried her large on Shadow at camp and it seeeeeeemed to fit him but now Im thinking I didnt look properly enough! Hes going to be a tricky fit too I think as I think he has some Mally in him so hes a much squarer build than your average sibe.. hes big and has quite a deep chest. Maybe I would be better off getting him messured up and buying something specially made but I might not have this in time for the training rally on 6/7th nov! Ooooh dilema!! SASS stuff is all handmade, if you give them a ring they can tell you how to measure him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahNukka&Shadow Posted October 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 SASS stuff is all handmade, if you give them a ring they can tell you how to measure him I just googled SASS but couldnt find their details?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid_Wolf Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 One sec i'll just find em n pm them to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahNukka&Shadow Posted October 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 One sec i'll just find em n pm them to you tar hon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rose Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 Give Ali a call @ forstals or leave her a message to send you a measurement form for a harness & up to date price list, you can call them on 01842 878246. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahNukka&Shadow Posted October 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 Give Ali a call @ forstals or leave her a message to send you a measurement form for a harness & up to date price list, you can call them on 01842 878246. Thanks Rose, Sid as MP'd me the details for SASS.. is that the same thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid_Wolf Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 Yea hun, Forstals is the kennel name, they sell their equipment under the name SASS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rose Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 Forstal, (sass) only sell the H-Harness for racing/ pulling not x-back ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahNukka&Shadow Posted October 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 Damn I have SOOOO much to learn! LOL maybe I should not order anything till Iv been to the training rally and you can all advice me on what would be best for my Shadow boy? Dont want to waste money and potentially harm him!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ole Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 Damn I have SOOOO much to learn! LOL maybe I should not order anything till Iv been to the training rally and you can all advice me on what would be best for my Shadow boy? Dont want to waste money and potentially harm him!! I'd think that's the best idea, and maybe some mushers might let you try their dogs harness(es) on Shadow. Custom harnesses aren't usually returnable and if you measure wrong it could be a waste of money. Training rallies are a good place to get advice for equipment. I also do custom made harnesses but there's a 2 weeks wait on them which is a downfall. If you wanted I could post you a few different sizes and you could try them on and return them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahNukka&Shadow Posted October 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2010 I'd think that's the best idea, and maybe some mushers might let you try their dogs harness(es) on Shadow. Custom harnesses aren't usually returnable and if you measure wrong it could be a waste of money. Training rallies are a good place to get advice for equipment. I also do custom made harnesses but there's a 2 weeks wait on them which is a downfall. If you wanted I could post you a few different sizes and you could try them on and return them. Wow Rita thats such a generous offer but would cost you a bloomin fortune in postage! I think I'll wait and get advice and proper messuements at the training rally then I can send you the details and just have the one made! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.