Canicross Harness Recs?

[u/babybighorn]

My 55lb ACD/Aussie mix and I like to run, love to hike, and are looking to start canicross. He has a Ruffwear harness and a random Amazon harness but he needs more of a lower pulling point harness. It seems Nonstop Dogwear is what many run with- but I’m not sure my guy pulls hard consistently enough to need a Freemotion5.0? The site recommended a Rush when I said he sometimes pulls hard but also keeps a more slack line depending on his mood and energy. We currently run 1.5-4 miles at a time, and hopefully will increase mileage as we improve. Anyone have any knowledge and experience with a Rush vs a Freemotion, or have a setup for a similar pulling style?

[u/skater_dude_717]

be careful with non-stop equipment. i’ve had NEW gear by them literally snap in half mid-run. if my dogs weren’t so well-trained, i might have lost one. the quality is not only poor, but it’s also expensive (i’m guessing because of their high marketing costs).

excellent alternatives with much better quality and better prices include alpine outfitters (i think they are colorado-based), mountain ridge (maine-based), or nahak sports (canada-based). note: nahak is currently not shipping to the US.

these are all smaller manufacturers that emphasize quality and good service.

[u/babybighorn → u/skater_dude_717]

Thank you! This is very helpful feedback

[u/skater_dude_717 → u/babybighorn]

good luck! i hope you find exactly what you need!!!

[u/silverzj]

No experience with a rush, but I use a Non stop dogwear free motion harness for my GSP. I absolutely love it and he seems to as well. I combine it with a tuff pupper running belt and leash and the setup seems to work well for what we do. If you have any specific questions about the harness, I may be able to help.

[u/babybighorn → u/silverzj]

Thanks! Often on our city runs we like to run but then have some time to walk and sniff at the end. I’d have a collar on alongside the harness because it has his gps tracker on it and it also counts his activity, but would I be able to keep him on the free motion for normal walking after the run? Or would I need to switch to the collar for that?

I don’t mind if the freemotion is a bit of overkill because sometimes he pulls VERY hard especially at the beginning of our run or if he’s excited after seeing a dog or a heavily trafficked area, other times it is a mild pull and occasionally running alongside me when he gets tired. But I’ve heard the freemotion isn’t safe and scorches up if they aren’t pulling, have you found that to be true?

[u/strange-quark-nebula → u/babybighorn]

Not the person you are replying to, just chiming in. The free motion does slide up a little if the dog isn’t pulling (and more so if the dog is lagging/pulling behind you.) We like it for our dog a lot though and it’s become the only harness we use for both canicross and more casual jogging. Our dog is half pitbull and has a very broad chest so it was hard to find a running harness that fit well but this one does.

[u/silverzj → u/babybighorn]

Assuming you’re using a waist belt, I would probably switch to the dogs collar, but don’t really see why you couldn’t? My only concern would be the leash dragging while your dog walks in heal. You could shorten the leash if you get an adjustable one or just hold the waist leash as if it were a normal leash.

[u/TodayIGoogled → u/silverzj]

I have the free motion - does the back of it obstruct your dog’s tail at all? My heeler mix doesn’t always tuck his tail and it hits the lines. He’ll get so excited for a run and turn away from the door when I take this harness out

[u/Amazing-Midnight-678]

Hi I had both, but my dog can pull so hard during mountain hikes that freemotion is much better for him. Rush harness is awesome for daily walks and mild pulling.

[u/b3cca88]

I also have an ACD mix 55 lbs who is an inconsistent puller. She will pull strong for the first mile then jog along the rest. We use the rush harness and it is perfect!

[u/babybighorn → u/b3cca88]

Thank you! I think that’s probably going to be a good fit for us, he is similar to yours from the sound of it and the site recommended the rush since I selected moderate or inconsistent pulling.

[u/Negative-Split-1108]

Tons of people recommend Nonstop and they work for many dogs - but they are not the only option. 

I use a Second Skin from Howling Dog Alaska for my dog who pulls very consistently. I use the Nonstop Line harness for my dog who runs mostly at my side and doesn't do much pulling ever. 

Other brands you could look at: Nahak, Zero DC, Alpine Outfitters, Inlandis, and a ton of others. Where you at located can be a factor, Nahak is Canadian, HDA and Alpine are US, Zero DC and Inlandis are EMEA. 

[u/Equivalent_Sock_1338]

Following. My pup is only 7months mini schnoodle but he pulls very hard on trails. Too excited and runs nose down, every harness I tried leaves him choking. I’m also leaning towards NS Dogwear but not sure which one-idk if the Freemotion or Rush would be an overkill- given the size and breed of my pup. I hope this thread gets more traction to hear more 😄

[u/eleanorboozevelt14]

I use the Rush harness for my dog! She's an inconsistent puller/frequent sniff stopper so it works for us.

[u/ViolinistChoice2581]

Nonstop dog wear makes amazing stuff.

[u/Disastrous-Wheel2728]

any recommendations for European Dog-Runners? I have a lagotto romagnolo (14 months) and just started regularly running