Chama has a new harness, so his old one is for sale.
Crash Tested for Car Safety, Designed for Outdoor Adventures
Includes Saker crash-tested Ascension harness, color BLACK, size M/L (fits dogs with chest girth 24-33″), 2 side packs, 2 Slurpy Sacks (hydration packs with fold-out drinking lip), rescue sling, and two fabric bags for storing and transporting all the pieces. Shipping $25 USPS Priority or $18 Parcel Post (local meet-up free). This is a rugged harness good for hiking, training, and walking in the neighborhood.
Saker’s main design criteria for the design of their harnesses is that leg and shoulder motions be unrestricted. One of my other favorite things is the sturdy webbing handle on the back, which gives great control in a pinch. Other special features are the bayonet clips (strong and easy to clip and unclip), sturdy metal leash rings on chest and back, and adjustable length between bottom of neck loop and bottom of chest band. This Ascension harness is their original KickStarter model from 2023. Saker redesigned some buckles and clips to pass the crash tests, and those updated parts are installed on this harness.
Ascension Harness, Extended
“Extended” refers to having a removable belly band in addition to the chest band. This is great for dogs with a deep chest because the belly band behind the ribs keeps the chest band from riding forward into the armpits. The belly band is attached to the rest of the harness with two clips. You need the belly band to use the packs, but it isn’t required for car safety.
Important: For car safety, pass the seat belt (shoulder and lap belts together) between the harness and the dog’s spine, then buckle it normally. Dogs can lay down or sit up. Saker’s website has videos on how to secure your dog and of actual crash tests.
Using a tether instead of the seat belt isn’t advised because it can allow the dog to smash into the back of the seat or dashboard in front of it, plus it’s a hard stop instead of the seat belt’s more gradual pull.
Packs and Slurpy Sacks
The 1-liter Slurpy Sacks clip into the packs, or stow in a bag for Agility class or around town. Push the button to allow water to flow; push again to close. You can pour out what the dog doesn’t drink or let it flow back into the pouch to conserve water on a long hike.
The packs (never used) are attached by sliding the three hooks on each pack into loops on top of the harness and buckling the bottom around the chest band.
Rescue Sling
Photo shows the new Canyon sling (photo not available for Ascension). The Ascension sling isn’t as streamlined as the new version, but it works. (I tested it but never had to use it.) It’s a good idea to take it out, adjust for size, and practice attaching it to the harness on your dog so you won’t have to learn under stress.
The Whole Package
My Golden Retriever started wearing this harness when he was nine months old and weighed around 50 pounds. It still fits him at 20 months and 72 pounds, after several adjustments over the last year. I got the new version for him because he doesn’t like putting his head through the neck. The new version buckles at the neck and has more room for him to grow.
My Pup @ 50 lbs
Saker has new versions of the packs, slurpy sacks, and rescue sling for the Canyon harness. They are not compatible with the discontinued Ascension harness. The Canyon packs are smaller and have different attachment types, new slurpy sacks clip inside packs using different hardware, and the Canyon rescue sling is redesigned with different attachment points. Other accessories like the night light and AirTag holders didn’t change and still work with the Ascension.
Web page for the Ascension series: https://sakercanine.com/products/ascension-dog-pack-black. Other online resources for the Ascension are at https://sakercanine.com/pages/ascension-customers?_pos=2&_psq=ascension+&_ss=e&_v=1.0.