Do dogs need boots when hiking with a load on?
I am planning on buying my dog a pack to carry his own water, extra leash, and perhaps some of my stuff, like a flashlight, small first aid kit, and etc on our hikes. Probably only about 10-15lbs worth of stuff (I may increase the weight as he grows accustomed to it). Just wondering if he will need boots to protect his pads from sharp rocks and things. Are dog’s pads not designed to support more than the dogs own weight?
Some background: My dog is an (approximately) 18 month old male, 80lbs, Doberman/German Shepherd mix. He is on the active side, goes for long, brisk walks daily, and has been hiking several times with me before (without a pack), and it was a breeze for him. We usually do a 4-5 mile trek.
Boots are to protect the paws from extreme cold and heat. They aren’t needed for hiking under normal conditions with or without a pack. You may want to consider packing a set incase of a paw injury as they can be used to help protect the injured paw for the walk back out, but other than that you dog doesn’t need to wear them.
Flashing and Reflective Safety Dog Collar with Leash