Note: Unfortunately, this harness has been discontinued. Last updated 20/7/2019
I was lucky enough to get my hands on a Purina Petlife Roadie. This is one of the two harness on the market that has passed the NRMA impact test (2013). I had thought my whippets were safe in other harnesses until I read the NRMA report. So Kewie has road tested the Roadie, and how did it go? The Road Test: The Car:- Toyota Landcruiser 60 series The Test:- 8 hours of driving on bitumen roads (3 pit stops/pee breaks and refreshments). The Whippet: Byerley Cue ET (Kewie) Kewie's weight:- 10kg Kewie's rib cage circumference:- 53cm Item tested:- Purina Petlife Roadie Size: M (Made in China) How it went: Size:- The size is dependent on your whippet's weight and rib cage circumference. For whippets 8.5kg-11kg and of 51cm-56.5cm rib cage circumference, size M is recommended. For whippets that are 11kg-20kg and have a rib cage circumference of 54.5cm-69cm, size L is recommended. The Material:- The webbing is very strong. However it is lined on the inside with a softer material and the idea here is so that this lining is what is in contact with the dog. |
Comfort & Fit:- Easy to put on and easy to adjust. I would say that it looks slightly less comfortable than your cheaper brands with the lighter webbing, but more comfortable than smashing into the windscreen in case of a collision. Kewie seemed comfortable on our 8 hour journey. I wouldn't recommend the roadie as an everyday walking harness as the it crosses the front and digs a little under the arm and I can imagine it may cause irritation in some whippies, especially with their thinner skin. However, for sitting and lying down in the car, it should be okay. You attach this harness using the existing seat belt strap in the car through a loop on the back of the Roadie. Perhaps if we wear it in a bit more, it will be more comfortable - like a new shoe.
Verdict:
Avias whippets shall now use these Roadie harnesses for all car travel. The harnesses are affordable (even more so if you have a smaller whippet that fits the M size). Kewie gives it her paw of approval.
Avias whippets shall now use these Roadie harnesses for all car travel. The harnesses are affordable (even more so if you have a smaller whippet that fits the M size). Kewie gives it her paw of approval.
** Help, my whippet releases the seat belt buckle!**
So recently, one of our readers had asked what they could do about their whippet (who was very clever). He had worked out how to release the seat belt and thus let him have free reign of the vehicle whilst his owner was driving. Regretfully, none of my whippets have shown this level of intelligence.
If your dog is releasing his or her belt buckle, try a seat belt buckle cover or guard:
1) The seat belt buckle cover The more expensive out of the two, you need to poke a key into the slot to undo the seat belt but I prefer this better because there is less room for things to go wrong in case of an accident and you need to get your whippet out of the car fast.
2) The seat belt buckle guard from Bubsngrubs. It is well priced, but as its a squeeze to release, there is more room for the mechanism to fail. Below is a video explaining how these are fitted and how they work.
Updated 08/05/2020.
So recently, one of our readers had asked what they could do about their whippet (who was very clever). He had worked out how to release the seat belt and thus let him have free reign of the vehicle whilst his owner was driving. Regretfully, none of my whippets have shown this level of intelligence.
If your dog is releasing his or her belt buckle, try a seat belt buckle cover or guard:
1) The seat belt buckle cover The more expensive out of the two, you need to poke a key into the slot to undo the seat belt but I prefer this better because there is less room for things to go wrong in case of an accident and you need to get your whippet out of the car fast.
2) The seat belt buckle guard from Bubsngrubs. It is well priced, but as its a squeeze to release, there is more room for the mechanism to fail. Below is a video explaining how these are fitted and how they work.
Updated 08/05/2020.
Links:
Mobility Engineering - Seatbelt Buckle Cover (last accessed 08/05/2020)
Bubsngrubs - Seat Belt Buckle Guard (last accessed 08/05/2020)
Mobility Engineering - Seatbelt Buckle Cover (last accessed 08/05/2020)
Bubsngrubs - Seat Belt Buckle Guard (last accessed 08/05/2020)