DESIGN

The Chukchi harness allows full extension of the front leg and free movement of the shoulder while it applies no pressure on the hip joints.

This is accomplished by a unique design around the neck and onto the back of the dog which means the padded harness strap rest on or above the shoulder blade.

In this way the harness does not restrict the shoulder joint whether the dog runs straight in the harness; or, if it is side-ways puller, on the side it push into the harness.

There are NO arm-pit rubs with a Chukchi harness.

The Chukchi harness has soft structure in comparison with the much stiffer X-back or H-back harnesses. This allows the dog to reposition itself while running, moving where it pushes into the harness / the pressure of its pull as it is comfortable: As a result the harness is very successfully used to address dogs' crabbing, tendencies to run sideways or dogs ‘only wanting to run on one side of the main line’.

Optimal for ultra long-distance races such as the Iditarod and Finnmarksløpet this design also results in dogs learning to ‘relax’ in the harness instead of charging hard to drive speed.

The design of the harness has the strap that the dogs push its body into sit above the shoulder joint and up onto its back, to make sure that the dog has full free motion of the front legs - and there is no pressure on the hip joints of lower back with this design.

This sled dog harness lays up on the back of the dog making sure the dogs can extends its front legs and shoulders comfortably, while caribou fur provides a cushion to keep the dog as comfortable as possible while it is pulling you on a sled or skis

CONSTRUCTION

The entire harness is constructed with the one aim that it is gentle on and comfortable for the dog - that there is absolutely no chaffing from this harness. The material is soft, there are no hard edges, and all sewing is done so that the stitch and seams are on the side facing away from the dog. This makes for a less “pretty” final product to your eye - but an optimal harness for your dog.

It is for this same reason that the harness is secured with a button. I have tested so many other solutions, but we found that nothing held up as well or offered the same comfort for the dog — buckles do chafe the dog, do not lie flat against their body and create an uncomfortable bump for the dog when it lays on its side

The total length of the harness is the same, regardless of size and matches that of for example Non-stop X-back harnesses, so that you can easily mix the type of harness you use in your dog team.

To hook into the tug line on your setup the harness is outfitted with a plastic ball that will not create any friction or wear on the coat of your dog; And it is easily released from and hooked into a loop regardless of the conditions: mud, water, icy slush or extreme cold temperature.

Reflective material at the end of the ball as well as on the flourescent non-chafe ball-strap makes it easy for you to see in the dark at night (both with and without a headlamp) as well as in low-light conditions; For example to see if the tugline is under your dog’s leg. Reflective back strap also ensures your dog’s security to be seen by others when running down the trail.

The padding is a crucial element to the Chukchi harness being as good as it is. Because it is the only strap where there is a pressure point between the strap and the dog, it is the strap that wrap around the lower part of the neck up onto the back of the dog that is padded. For optimal cushion I use caribou fur --

CARIBOU FUR ... or SOFT FOAM

Caribou / reindeer fur have hollow hairs that are filled with air and there is air between each hair. This is why caribou fur provide such warmth : it has extreme 'cushion' and is an excellent insulator. It also gives it the unique quality that if there is snow or ice crystals from breath on the fur, one can simply shake it off - and with this, for a fur, it is very water resistant.

These are the qualities that make the fur the optimal padding protecting the dog from rub and strain as it leans into the harness. The fur faces the dog fur, and two natural materials rubbing against materials make for minimal friction (different from a synthetic material against the dog fur). This not only means no rub, it also mean very little heat generated, which in turn means that the underlying muscle is not 'getting as hot' by this harness, as you will experience with other harnesses.

This I believe is helpful in prevention of shoulder injury. In my experience the harness is a good gentle choice when reintroducing your dog to running after many types of shoulder injuries.

Because there is no strap or webbing going down between the front legs and no strap immediately behind the front legs, dogs that use the harness to pull never gets arm pit rubs.

This sled dog harness inspired by the traditional Chukchi harness is closed and secured on your dog with a button. Laying flat against the body it means the dog will not be chafed like it is from the use of a buckle for example.

All stitches and sewing points on a this dog harness are done on so that they are flat, as soft and flexible as possible, and on the side that faces away from the dog so that it does not chafe the dog.

The dog harness connects to your pulling line with a ball so that even if the dog is rubbing against it, the dogs fur will not be affected and it will not chafe the dog. The ball is attached to a fluroscent piece of soft webbing, which is also done so that it cannot harm the dog even if the dog gets tangled with it. The reflector tape makes sure it is easy for you to see in the darm or low light - with or without a head lamp.

GENTLE Chukchi harness for dog - A winning sled dog harness for the Iditarod and other long distance races

Your best solution when it is muddy or wet out on the trails - and in the Summer and Fall training season- is a MUD Chukchi harness with padding made of soft flexible foam that is easily wiped down and fast drying.

One problem with caribou fur is that the hairs are damaged by prolonged exposure to water and by mud.

Since the Chukchi harness is really helpful in summer / fall training where your dog is super wired to go and is very prone to harness rubs when using an x-back harness, we needed a version of the harness that would function well when you are running through puddles on muddy trails and dogs like to cool in water.

The solution is the MUD Chukchi harness with a foam padding that is easily wiped clean of mud.

Its 1/2 inch ( 1.4 cm) foam strikes the necessary balance of being water repelling and fast-drying while still being very soft and pliable. The foam WILL get hard when it gets cold. So do not use a MUD harness in below freezing temperature.

If you do not have the GENTLE harness with fur padding to start using instead when it gets cold, you can swing the needle and exchange the foam padding with caribou / reindeer fur padding. The padding is sewn on by hand, so the foam is easily removed to be replaced.