Dog backpack size: fit by girth, load by body weight
Pick the pack size by chest girth, then keep pack plus contents at or under 10% of your dog's weight.
Short answer: dog packs are sized by chest girth. How much your dog can carry depends on body weight: AKC says the pack and its contents together should be no more than 10% of a healthy, well-conditioned dog’s weight.
Key takeaways
- Ruffwear measures girth “around the widest part of the rib cage.”
- Between sizes, Ruffwear recommends sizing down for packs.
- AKC’s limit is 10% of body weight, pack included. A 20 lb dog carries up to 2 lb total.
- AKC: growing puppies and seniors with problems like arthritis should wear an empty pack or none.
Ruffwear Approach pack size chart
| Size | Chest girth | Empty pack weight | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 17–22 in (43–56 cm) | 0.73 lb | 5 L |
| S | 22–27 in (56–69 cm) | 0.94 lb | 10 L |
| M | 27–32 in (69–81 cm) | 1.1 lb | 13 L |
| L/XL | 32–42 in (81–107 cm) | 1.3 lb | 21 L |
Load limit by dog weight
The table applies AKC’s 10% rule. The total includes the pack itself.
| Dog weight | Pack plus contents, max |
|---|---|
| 20 lb | 2 lb |
| 40 lb | 4 lb |
| 60 lb | 6 lb |
| 80 lb | 8 lb |
How to start
- Measure girth behind the front legs and choose the size.
- Let your dog wear the empty pack on short walks first (AKC).
- Add weight slowly, split evenly between both sides.
- Ask your vet before adding weight if your dog is young, old or has joint problems.
Sources: Ruffwear Approach pack; AKC, Teach your dog to wear a backpack.
Terms used here
- Budget, mid, premium: picks grouped by the maker's own list price, lowest to highest. Budget is everyday basics (a crate, collars, a light harness, boots), mid is padded walking and lift-assist harnesses, premium is specialty gear (a life jacket, a car harness, travel beds). No store prices are shown.
- Chest girth: the distance around the widest part of the rib cage, just behind the front legs. Harnesses are sized by it.
- Back length: base of the neck to base of the tail. A crate should be at least 4 in longer.
- Paw width: the widest part of the front paw while standing. Boots are sized by it.
- Weight band: the weight range a crate or bed size is made for on the maker's chart.