On the first day of the Outdoor Retailer '09 Summer Market, the climbing wall went to the dogs when Ruff Wear unveiled it's new DoubleBack Harness for man's-best-friend. One might be confused as to why a dog would even need a climbing harness since they are physically unable to go up cliffs, so Ruff Wear got an adorable dog into the harness to demonstrate it.
Turns out that there are many ways a dog-specific climbing harness can be used, including climbing, mountaineering, canyoneering, and helping dogs up and down steep and exposed terrain in the high country. It's a good bet that most outdoor enthusiasts are also dog lovers, and would always prefer to have their best friends along for every hike and climb. Now they can, even in the most harsh areas, as a dog can easily be lifted and lowered with the Ruff Wear DoubleBack Harness.
The harness was conceived in 2002 and finally is ready to go to market. Features include strength ratings to 2,000 lbf, anodized aluminum buckles, adjustable martingale to customize fit, a rope tie-in point, padded belly support and adjustable frame and leg loops.
Ruff Wear drew a large crowd to the climbing wall inside the Salt Palace as they lifted a dog up into the air and let it hang out. It seemed to be very comfortable and relaxed inside its harness as it looked around at everyone taking pictures. The demonstration made it clear that as long as a dog owner builds good anchors, he can safely raise or lower his pet over just about anything when using the new DoubleBack Harness.
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Comments
I don't doubt that this will attract some doggie adventure enthusiasts.....however as I sit here imagining what my JRT would do in a harness like that, there's no way he'd hold that still, or look that relaxed. Cool stuff tho.
This is inane. It's bad enough to have cragdogs everywhere making a mess, walking on ropes, getting into food, and fighting with other cragdogs. Why do they need to be at the belays too?? And who in their right mind could think that a dog would actually enjoy this?
I've been waiting for this harness! I cannot begin to describe how many times I wish I could safely belay/assist my 95lb Ridgeback on backcountry scramble/hikes...
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