good chain size?

What would you say the apropriate size chain is for a nine month old dog that's about 45lbs? I don't want anything too big, because I don't wan't it to cause joint damage as she is not fully mature yet. Right now she is on a 1/4 inch, 12 foot chain whith a burried axle for a stake. Do yall think that's too big? She seems to like it and doesn't have any trouble jumping all over the place with it on, I just want to make sure.

 

I had a thread with the same question posted and there weren't any responses that answered my question. I'll see if things work out different for you. GL!

 

Cuz you should know wats good or bad for your dog. And how strong your dog is, and how it acts. Its your dog.

 

Well if that's the case, then there is no problem as she seems to enjoy it. I just heard somewhere that you should be carefull with younger dogs, because it can damage the joints. I've never seen it happen that way, but I'm trying to learn all I can. Thanks.

 

putting a 9wk puppy on that chain would hinder proper development but at 9mo theyre fine, no worries

1/4 sounds right

 

We 1/4 inch chains as well. Although all my dogs are full grown save for a 10 wk old pup, they range in weight from 32 to 60lbs & all do just fine on that size.

 

That's a good answer, but speaking on a persons knowledge is such a broad discussion because new information is always being learned.



***EDIT***: I'll be the first to test what's the lightest, but still one of the strongest possible chains for those that would prefer a lighter chain to get even more activity going. My boy is damn near 60lbs so it should be accurate test for strength.

 

i was using like 3/16 on one of my 10 mo olds and 1/4" on the other,,but recently decided to use a 25" hvy duty cable run line as the "chain". it's worked out great for all the dogs. i just used replacement links to permantly attach the run line to the axle and the connector end

 

Your dog should do fine in a 1/4 thick chain, i have my 5 month old dog in a 10ft , 1/4 inch thick chain, she weights about 55lb .

 

Thanks guys. As always, this site is a great help.

 

You know I thought about that, but the last time I tried a cable as a "chain" with my adult dog, it only lasted about 2 months. I figured, might as well go ahead and get the chain for the little one so she can get used to it. How big a cable are you using?

 

We were using heavy duty cable line a few years back (not that crap you buy from a pet store) & we would only get about 2-3 months of use out of it if that much. But we had dogs managing to get loose left & right. Even our OEB managed to break one about a foot below the swivel & bullsnap (which we don't use those either at this point) just from one pull.

For young puppies, I still use cable as I'm not about to put a 3 month old pup on a 1/4 inch chain. But when he approaches an age where his safety is in jeapordy on the cable, I'll switch him over.

 

here's a question for all of you who keep your dog's chained...Cuddles is a strictly outside dog. She just doesn't like being inside, so we don't bring her in. She's out on the chain, and the other two have chain hook-ups for when we go out...Today we had a thunderstorm, and I was always thought about this when a storm occurs, but do you all keep your dogs out there on the chain, or do you kennel them? What do you do when a storm comes around?

 

I have my 6 month old male on 5/16" x10' and he does great. My 10 month old female is on the same size setup and she does great as well. My male weighs around 50lbs and my female is around the same. I have all 8 of my dogs on about the same setup.

 

cool, I have the fortune of having kennels set up in the garage so in bad weather, the dogs come in. Plus, if not, they tear up the yard & I try hard to keep the chain spots as much grass as possible.