@SLB is like the Canisport queen
@Geolgrad

This thread might also help you
http://www.petforums.co.uk/threads/cani-sport-equipment-review.395398/

I use a Kisi lightweight running belt, I really like it, but I'm 5'11" so I'm not very helpful with sizing!

The dogs weigh around 8kg and have a Zero DC short harness -http://www.k9trailtime.com/shop/euro-short-zero-dc-sports-harness.html
I've just started taking Bradley running, he sticks by my side so I'm just using his normal Lupine harness for now.

I use an Indi-Dog Zorb Maxway lead which is pretty much perfect for us and clips to my belt without needing a carabiner.
I put all my stuff in one of these: -https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trespass-Alpaca-Technical-Bumbag-Cobalt/dp/B00BTGLE68/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1461252707&sr=8-3&keywords=trespass+bumbag

I also take one of these with me if there aren't any streams:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/H2O4K9-Wat...D=31yeEpxj3DL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=KTKKKMW457YXGZPZ8CTC

I'd recommend a balance board as well, definitely helped my ankles not feel like they were about to break when I first started

 

Get on Canicross Trailrunners on facebook find your local groups-- there are so many.

I use a zero DC faster belt but have a very strong dog and found others hurt my hips.

Dogs in zero DC long or short depending what we are doing.

I use a custom line because I have become fussy over time.

Contact K9 trailtime very experinced company in kit.


Enjoy canicrossing-- it takes over your life and before you know it your planning marathons and ultras

 

Non stop and eurolite belts are fully adjustable so will probably suit you. However if your dog doesn't pull you will be fine in the indidog belt-- I started with that x

 

Thank you both

I'm looking at this http://dogfit.co.uk/collections/canicross-kit/products/canicross-starter-set

However, I've told myself I'm not allowed to buy any kit until I'm running a decent distance. I'm doing the couch to 5k thing as I'm not really a runner. However, it does seem very slow so I'm skipping ahead - did the week one workout on weds, then the week 2 workout this morning and it was still pretty easy so I did week three this afternoon! Every time I got to a running bit the dog would stop and poo and I'd have to faff around picking it up though!

He's good running offlead, if I'm running with him on lead he gets a bit excited and jumps up at the lead and tangles himself up sometimes. Any hints?

 

I have been...well speed walking with my older bitch and I personally found best for me was a back pack with good waist strap.
It evens the weight of her pulling slightly off my hips although she is still attached at the waist. I have hip issues and am concerned that I will not move properly with a purely wait belt

 

LEG LOOPS!!

 

The terrier has ran since 2008 and still does this on race day hes not mine though.

Practice. And running in groups helps. My dog naturally went out infront and pulled he got it from day one, others sometimes need to follow to get the idea.

/u

Dog fit is fine. K9 trailtime has bigger variety. She is always my go to for kit.

Don't get kit until your running at least 5km. You need to look at your trainers too as you may need to upgrade if running regular and have gait analysis.

As for lead biting try and have a "get on" command. Again may improve in a group as wants to keep up etc or in Tysons case it is still very much a habit when excited on a start line even at 10 yrs old!!!

So we have left, right, get on/ go go go, steady (slow down)/ heel/ wait.

 

The terrier has ran since 2008 and still does this on race day hes not mine though.

Practice. And running in groups helps. My dog naturally went out infront and pulled he got it from day one, others sometimes need to follow to get the idea.

/u

Dog fit is fine. K9 trailtime has bigger variety. She is always my go to for kit.

Don't get kit until your running at least 5km. You need to look at your trainers too as you may need to upgrade if running regular and have gait analysis.

As for lead biting try and have a "get on" command. Again may improve in a group as wants to keep up etc or in Tysons case it is still very much a habit when excited on a start line even at 10 yrs old!!!

So we have left, right, get on/ go go go, steady (slow down)/ heel/ wait.

Fabulous thanks.

Thinking about it the lead biting was generally on passing dogs, especially if they were trying to sniff him. He's a bit anxious around other dogs - likes to be able to size them up and work out if he wants to greet or not so being pulled away on lead was probably frustrating and anxiety provoking for him. I think I should find somewhere quieter for the next few runs.

I have custom made orthotics already (although they're a few years old and getting pretty worn) and decent running shoes (but not trail shoes) so that side of things is sorted.

You've got me all inspired and excited now - can't wait to get out again!

 

Hello!

Wouldn't call me the canisport queen - I'm just annoying and post a lot about it. I'm newer to Canicross than Toffee44 is though.

I use a DC Speedy Belt. But there are many on the market. I've just found this one more comfortable. The pull is from your lower bum rather than hips but the fact that it looks like a nappy, it distributes the pull evenly.

I use a DC bungee line.. however after buying and trying out, I now prefer a shorter line. I have an Arctic wolf "park run" line. Which looks far too short but it's surprisingly not!

The dogs harnesses - I'm not speaking to them at the moment.
Lou and Pen have been through x-backs; I didn't really have the right lines and their attachment point was always too high. So they didn't work for us.
Then we had custom harnesses but they were always for walking more than pulling.
Then I got them Non Stop Half Harnesses; I sold these due to buying new harnesses (it's an addiction) but I wish I hadn't as they were really good.
So I had DC Short harnesses and these are still fab, but I needed shorter lines so went for longer harnesses.
Then it was DC Long harnesses. Which were great, then crabbing started so it was new harness time!
And now we have the Non Stop Freemotion. I'm not keen on the style but the dogs run great in them.

Until...

They change bloody shape and I need a new harness AGAIN!

So yes - it's best to talk to Emily at K9 Trail Time. She has used every item she stocks.

 

Yay another one joining the darkside
Not sure I can add much to what the others have said. I run in a DC Speedy Belt too after my standard belt (without leg loops) rode up and pulled my back. Its the most comfortable belt I've used and the pull is from a much better place.
I run with 2 JRTs who being so small and deep chested I got their harnesses custom made by indi-dog (houndini harnesses). I also got our canicross lines in matching colours too . We've tried the DC short harnesses and as @SLB says every dog is different and they change shape the more they do. Mine will be getting new harness soon as they've bulked out since christmas.
Defiantly check out K9 trail time, they do some starter kits too http://www.k9trailtime.com/shop/canicross/starter-kits-2.html

If you're running fells I'd recommend trail shoes. I ran in my road shoes for a while and the cushioning was great but the slipping was not fun. Some great prices for beginner trail shoes at Sports Direct.

Oh and you've still got time to enter the April's K9 trail time virtual race too http://www.k9trailtime.com/shop/virtual-races/april-virtual-race.html

 

I'm getting super fired up now!

I did two runs yesterday and have got a 9 hour mountain walk planed for tomorrow and an 8 hour mountain walk for Sunday so I'm resisting the urge to have a bash at another run today for fear of breaking myself!

Love the virtual race idea - especially when I saw the medals! I'll go for the May one - should be running a decent distance by then hopefully (although it'll be very slow!). Need to find myself a nice quiet, not too hilly 5k circuit.

The kit I've got now (walking belt, double ended lead and basic webbing harness) should really be fine for now so I've no excuse not to crack on!

 

Yay another canicross convert! You'll find it quite adicting (or rather, it seems you have already!). If your dog doesn't pull a lot then a normal harness should be fine for short periods, but if you start getting pulling and going longer distances I'd recommend something with more padding to prevent chafing and bruising. You're right though, for now there's no excuse so... MOSH!!

I'm definitely built for comfort not for speed, much to my dog's frustration, but I've been doing canicross for 2 years now, and we do parkrun together using our canicross equipment - it's huge fun and Max gets so excited we can't attend the pre-parkrun safety briefing because he's so loud and nobody would hear it!

I guess I have a lot to say about it, coz after writing all this it's turned out longer than expected, but here goes:

I use a Howling Dog Flash Harness (basically the same as a Howling Dog Second Skin harness but fully reflective) for Max. So far it has lasted well, doesn't show any wear and has gone through the washing machine almost weekly for a year. I got it from snowpawstore.com and there was great customer services (they are UK based but right now looks like their website needs work!)

My only issue with most of the true pulling harnesses is they are definitely designed to be pulled into - if I let Max off lead in this harness it rides up and he can slip out of it backwards, so I don't recommend it if you are intending to mix on and off lead running. Perhaps the DC short harnesses are better for this as they look good for walking as well. DC short and long are probably the most popular in our canicross group. The Non-Stop harness tends to flip over forwards and imo it's better if the point of attachment is lower down (or if the dog is very tall and the human's waist is not too much higher than the dog's back). Anything X back just didn't seem to adjust well enough for me and seemed to flop about too much - just personal preference.

Max is a strong puller, though, so the flash harness works for us.

You may want to look into an elasticated lead to absorb shock, not sure if anyone has mentioned that yet? Mine is made of webbing and has a bungee section with a handle and there is a clip on my waist belt that goes through the loop of the handle. I guess any secure fastening will work whether that is caribiner or clip. I kind of wish I'd gotten a belt with another handle or loop lower down so I could more easily grab onto the mid-length and keep him on a shorter lead - right now I am just grabbing a part of the lead which doesn't afford a good grip if I want to let another trail user pass with Max on a shorter line.

For you, a belt with leg straps or a nappy style belt - especially if your dog starts pulling or gets jumpy on the lead. Without the leg straps the belt can ride up and if your dog does jerk at the lead it will upset your balance and may hurt your lower back. You'll feel more secure with a belt that stays low down - basically on your bum rather than on your waist/hips - unless he definitely doesn't ever pull in which case it's probably less of a concern. As has been said, trail shoes will help with gripping on soft surfaces - I normally get mine from https://www.sportsshoes.com/ - they have a huge range at good prices. I stick to the cheaper end of the scale (under, say, £50, because I like to replace mine on the regular and can't afford to spend hundreds of pounds on shoes every other year). So far my faves are https://www.sportsshoes.com/product/sal729/salomon-fellraiser-women's-fell-running-shoes/ but I've also tried Hi-tec and Saucony (and Karimor from Sportsdirect shop - on sale for around £20 at the time) with great success - all of them last well, grip brilliantly, are very comfortable and can be washed in the machine, and I use them for our walks as well as running provided we are off road (which we mainly are). Don't use these shoes to run on the road too much, they are built to grip well and will grip almost too well on tarmac, but they are made for soft surfaces so can wear down a lot quicker on tarmac.

THE MOST IMPORTANT AND HELPFUL tip I can give you is to find your local canicross group - most of them that I have visited (and the one I belong to) have a beginner's group and a load of equipment that you can borrow with tons of advice for how to fit things and what may be best for your dog's shape/size/style. Certainly at our club, beginners are encouraged to try all the different types of harnesses and keep trying different ones until they are sure of what they want to buy before making a big investment and living with regret! There's nothing like running with your dog in the harness to see how it fits when he's moving and whether it will chafe or lift or buckle after a mile or two of running.

Failing that, for not a big investment you could try the NEEWA range that zooplus has recently started stocking (not wildly expensive and I hear good things about their waist belt but haven't used it myself) http://www.zooplus.co.uk/esearch.htm#q=NEEWA - the lady in our group who uses this waist belt is pretty tiny - I'd guess she's 5'5" and about a size 8. It has a pocket for poo bags and keys if you're just going out for a short run.

For longer runs a back pack with a water bladder is the go-to option for most of the runners in our group but I don't tend to go out for longer than 5km. I got these roll-up water bottles from sportsdirect that come with their own caribiner and I just clip them somewhere on my belt with his collapsible bowl if it's a warm day (if it's not a warm day or there has been a lot of rain Max prefers puddles anyway, and can last without water for 5km till we get back to the car where I always have a big bottle waiting.)

I'll stop now, or I'll go on forever!

Good luck! (I'm also going to try this virtual race thing!)