What is a Howling Dog Alaska Harness? A Howling Dog Alaska Harness is a specialized piece of equipment designed for dogs that pull, especially in activities like dog sledding harness work, skijoring, or canicross. These harnesses prioritize comfort and pulling efficiency for your dog.
Why Choose a Howling Dog Alaska Harness?
When you look at Alaskan dog sledding gear, you will see many options. But the Howling Dog Alaska Harness stands out. These harnesses are built tough. They are made for hard work in tough weather. This company knows dogs pull hard. They make gear that lasts.
Built for the Alaskan Environment
Alaska means cold. It means snow. It means long, hard miles. A regular collar will not work well for pulling. A poorly designed harness can hurt your dog. Howling Dog Alaska gear fixes these issues.
Superior Material Choices
These harnesses use strong, yet light, materials. They resist ice and snow buildup. This keeps the harness light on your dog’s back.
- Durable Webbing: Strong nylon or similar material is used. This stops ripping or fraying.
- Padding: Soft, yet firm, padding prevents chafing. This is key for long runs.
- Hardware: Metal parts are often corrosion-resistant. They stand up to snow and ice.
Keeping Warmth in Mind
A winter dog harness must handle the cold. A standard harness might freeze up. The Howling Dog Alaska designs consider this. They offer models best suited for a cold weather dog harness. They avoid materials that stiffen easily in low temperatures.
Deciphering the Harness Types
Howling Dog Alaska makes several specific harnesses. Each one serves a different job. Picking the right one is very important for your dog’s health and performance.
The Tugline Harness: The Workhorse
The Tugline Harness is perhaps the most famous. It is the go-to dog pulling harness. It spreads the pulling force evenly across the dog’s chest and shoulders.
Key Features of the Tugline
The design focuses on the dog’s anatomy. A good pulling harness should never choke the neck or press hard on the spine.
- X-Shape or Y-Shape Front: This front design allows full shoulder movement. Dogs need this to pull well.
- Wide Back Strap: This strap sits over the back. It helps distribute the load.
- Attachment Point: The line connects near the dog’s tail base. This aligns the pulling force correctly.
This harness is a true mushers dog sledding harness. It is vital for training or racing.
The Skijor/Canicross Harness: Speed Focused
For sports where the human is running or skiing alongside the dog (like skijoring or canicross), a slightly different design is often preferred. These harnesses balance pulling power with freedom of movement for the handler running on foot.
This style is still a dog pulling harness but optimized for human locomotion nearby.
Specialized Racing Gear
When talking about dog sled racing equipment, performance is everything. Howling Dog Alaska offers high-end versions of their harnesses. These are often lighter. They might use more advanced materials for maximum speed.
| Harness Type | Primary Use | Pulling Style Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tugline | Dog sledding, heavy hauling | Maximum power distribution | Sled teams, heavy loads |
| Skijor/Canicross | Running, skiing with one dog | Balanced power and runner comfort | Active dog and owner sports |
| Heavy Duty (Custom) | Extreme pulling, large breeds | Ultimate strength and durability | Large powerful pullers |
Sizing and Fitting: The Most Crucial Step
A great harness that fits poorly is a bad harness. This is especially true for a heavy duty dog harness. Poor fit causes injury. It ruins pulling efficiency.
How to Measure Your Dog
You need specific measurements. Get a soft tape measure. Do not pull it too tight.
Essential Measurements:
- Neck Circumference: Measure around the base of the neck where the harness will sit.
- Chest Girth: Measure around the widest part of the chest, just behind the front legs. This is often the most important measurement for pulling harnesses.
- Back Length: Measure from the base of the neck to where the rear of the harness should sit (usually around the last rib).
Adjusting the Harness Correctly
Once you have the right size harness, you must adjust it. A harness should be snug but not tight. Think of it like a secure backpack.
- Chest Fit: You should only be able to slide two fingers snugly between the strap and your dog’s chest. If you can fit more, it is too loose. If you struggle to fit two fingers, it is too tight.
- Shoulder Clearance: Ensure the front straps clear the dog’s shoulder joints. If they rub, the dog cannot move its legs fully. This reduces power.
- Back Line-Up: The main back strap should sit straight down the dog’s back, not twisting to one side.
A correctly fitted dog harness for snow work ensures the dog pulls comfortably for miles.
Maintenance for Longevity
Your Alaskan dog sledding gear works hard. It deserves good care. Proper cleaning and storage extend its life significantly.
Cleaning After a Run
Mud, ice, and sweat are the enemies of nylon webbing.
- Shake Off Excess: Before bringing gear inside, shake off heavy mud or snow.
- Rinse: Use cool or lukewarm water. A gentle spray from a hose works well. Do not use harsh soaps or detergents. These can break down the fibers or irritate the dog’s skin.
- Soak (If Needed): If the harness is very dirty, soak it briefly in warm water. Use a very mild soap if necessary, like one made for athletic wear.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse and rinse again. Any soap residue will irritate the dog.
Drying Protocol
Never store a damp harness. Mildew can grow. The material can weaken.
- Hang the harness to air dry.
- Keep it out of direct, harsh sunlight for long periods. UV rays break down nylon over time.
- Avoid drying on high heat sources, like a furnace vent. Heat melts or warps synthetic materials.
Inspection Routine
Before every major outing, inspect the gear. This is vital for dog sled racing equipment. A failure mid-run can be dangerous.
- Check all stitching. Look for loose threads or pulling.
- Inspect all buckles and hardware for cracks or bending.
- Feel the padding. Is it still soft, or has it hardened from wear?
Howling Dog Alaska Harness vs. Standard Harnesses
Why pay more for a specialty harness? It comes down to physics and canine biomechanics.
The Difference in Pulling Mechanics
A standard walking harness is designed for control. It often attaches near the top of the back or the chest loop. When a dog pulls against this, the force often rotates the harness. It can also push down on the dog’s throat or choke the shoulders.
A mushers dog sledding harness, like the Howling Dog Alaska Tugline, is designed for draft work. The force is transferred through the center of the dog’s mass. This means the dog uses its powerful hindquarters and strong back, not its neck or delicate shoulders.
Considering the No-Pull Option
Some people look for a no-pull dog harness for general walking. While some Howling Dog Alaska designs might offer better front stability than a simple collar, their primary design goal is maximizing forward pulling power, not stopping pulling behavior (which usually requires a front-clip harness that steers the dog sideways). If your primary goal is correcting pulling on walks, a harness specifically labeled as a no-pull dog harness might serve that distinct function better. However, for actual pulling sports, the Tugline excels.
Durability Comparison
Most general pet harnesses are not made for continuous, high-tension work. They are made for occasional use. A heavy duty dog harness from Howling Dog Alaska is built to handle the strain of sled teams or skijoring teams running for hours across varied terrain.
Gear Selection for Snow Conditions
When the snow flies, gear failure is a real risk. Your choice of cold weather dog harness becomes critical.
Preventing Ice and Snow Buildup
Snow and ice add surprising weight to a harness. This tires the dog out faster. It can also cause pinching when the ice melts slightly and refreezes.
Howling Dog Alaska harnesses often use materials that shed snow well. The smooth nylon surfaces do not trap snow crystals easily. This keeps the harness light and flexible.
The Right Harness for Deep Snow
In deep snow, dogs often need to push through resistance. This requires high sustained pulling power. For this, the full support of a specialized dog harness for snow hauling is necessary. This ensures that the energy goes straight into moving forward, not fighting a poorly designed harness.
Implementing the Harness in Training
Introducing a dog to a specialized harness requires patience. Dogs need time to adjust to the feeling of pulling correctly.
Initial Introduction
Let the dog wear the harness around the house first. Do not attach any lines. Let them get used to the feel. This builds positive association.
First Pulls: Short Distances
When you first attach the tug line, keep the distance short. If you are using it for sledding, pull a very light sled or toboggan. If skijoring, just walk briskly at first.
The dog needs to learn that the tension means “go forward.” They learn to lean into the harness. This is called “finding their gait.”
Consistency is Key
For any dog sledding harness, consistency reinforces the behavior. Always use the harness only for pulling activities. Do not use it for casual walks if possible. This helps the dog associate the gear with a specific job.
Safety Considerations for Heavy Pullers
Safety is paramount when dealing with high-energy dogs and specialized pulling gear.
Avoiding Overexertion
Even the best harness cannot prevent overexertion if the dog is pushed too hard, too soon.
- Conditioning: Dogs must be conditioned slowly. Start with short distances and light loads. Increase time and distance gradually over weeks.
- Hydration and Monitoring: Watch your dog constantly. Look for signs of fatigue like lagging, excessive panting outside of the expected level, or struggling to keep pace.
Checking for Abrasion Points
Even with padding, a harness can cause rubs if used excessively without breaks.
- After the first few hard runs, check the dog’s armpits and the sides of the chest.
- Look for pink skin or hair loss. This signals that the harness may need repositioning or that a different size is needed. This is more common if the harness is worn too loosely or twists easily.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can a Howling Dog Alaska Harness be used for walking a dog that pulls?
While some models offer good front support, these harnesses are primarily designed for dog pulling harness work where the dog is meant to lean into the harness. For simple leash walking aimed at stopping a dog from pulling forward, a dedicated no-pull dog harness that clips at the chest is usually more effective at redirecting the dog’s momentum.
How often should I replace my heavy duty dog harness?
For serious mushing or racing where the harness is used daily, inspect it every season. If you see significant wear, frayed stitching, or hardware that feels weak, replace it immediately. For recreational use, a heavy duty dog harness can last several years if properly cleaned and stored.
Is this gear too bulky for small dogs?
Howling Dog Alaska offers different models tailored for different sizes. While the core design principles remain, the smaller versions are scaled down. However, for very small breeds, the specialized pulling mechanics might not be as beneficial as they are for medium to large, powerful breeds suited for dog sled racing equipment. Always confirm the sizing chart matches your dog’s weight and build.
Do I need a specific line or tow rope for these harnesses?
Yes. You need a proper towline or tug line designed for the activity. For sledding, this line attaches from the harness to the gangline system. For skijoring, it attaches to the runner/hiker’s bungee line. Ensure the connection point on your towline matches the attachment ring on the harness securely.
What is the best way to wash this type of winter dog harness?
The best way to clean a cold weather dog harness is usually a simple rinse with cool water to remove ice and snow debris. If heavily soiled with mud or dirt, a quick soak in warm water with a very mild soap, followed by extremely thorough rinsing, is recommended. Always air dry away from direct heat.