Best hiking pack for Pointers switching from hunting vest

So you're moving your Pointer from a hunting vest over to something more suited for weekend trail hiking — that's actually a really common switch, and it's worth getting right because hunting vests and recreational packs are built quite differently. The essentials for hiking with a dog are a well-fitting harness or pack, a collapsible water bowl, and depending on your terrain, possibly boots — paw protection on rocky or hot ground matters more than most people realise. To point you at the right pack: what's your Pointer's rough weight and chest girth, what kind of terrain are you hiking on, and how long are your typical weekend hikes?

27kg is a solid working weight for a Pointer and 8 to 12 miles on moorland is a proper day out — he'll need a pack that sits stable at pace and doesn't shift on uneven ground. Since you want him carrying his own water and snacks, you're looking for something with two balanced saddlebags rather than a slim hunting-style vest. One thing to check: what's his chest shape like? Pointers are deep-chested and fairly narrow through the waist, which means some packs gape or slide back on them. Does he have a typical lean athletic build, or is he on the broader side for the breed?

That tells me exactly what you need. For a lean, deep-chested dog doing long moorland days, the Ruffwear Palisades Pack is the one I'd go with. It has a low-profile saddle design that sits close to the body without gaping on narrow-waisted dogs, a padded chest strap and belly girth that give you multiple adjustment points — similar to what you've had with the hunting vest — and it comes with two removable dry-bag panniers that hold enough water and food for a full 10-mile day. It also has a top handle and a harness attachment point, which is useful on boggy or technical moorland sections where you might want to give him a hand. For a 27kg dog you'd be looking at the Large. It's not cheap, but it's built for exactly this kind of use and it'll outlast cheaper alternatives easily.

Always worth a short build-up, yes. Even for a fit working dog, carrying a loaded pack uses different muscles and changes his balance. Start with a couple of shorter walks with the empty pack so he gets used to the feel of it on his back and sides. Then add light weight — maybe half a litre of water each side — for a few outings before loading it fully. For a dog that's been wearing a hunting vest he'll adapt quickly, but a week or two of graduated loading means you'll avoid any soreness around the shoulders before your first big day out.

Yes — the Palisades panniers are roll-top dry bags, so they're genuinely waterproof rather than just water-resistant. Your dog can wade through a stream or get soaked in a moorland downpour and what's inside stays dry. That's one of the reasons it's a better choice for Peak District conditions than a lot of the alternatives that use zip-close pouches, which let water in eventually. You're well set up with that one.