Dog Vest

[stlhdr1]

With the colder weather coming, water temps dropping and hunting the Big C a lot I decided to get my lab a vest. He's a big boy tipping the scales at 95 pounds or so... Anyhow I purchased the Avery Dog Vest in a 2XL which is the suggested size for a 33" chest like my dog has. The only issue is it seems a bit tight and is tough getting the zipper zipped up.

Is this normal or should I take the fatso to a 3XL??

Keith

[Oregon_moose]

it seems like they run to small, i tried to get my dog a vest last year and had the same thing, went the next size up and it fit in the chest and was super loose in the back. took them back and just got a quick dry towel that i dry him off with now. sorry not much help... if i was you id look into the ones they sell on cabelas where you mesure the dog and get a perfect fit. havent tried them but heard they work good. anyone on here ever try those???

[Kamp1]

My pup is only 75 pounds or so...He has a heck of a rib cage and I had to go 2x as well. I hunted him one day w/o trimming it and it hung down in the neck..it also rubbed him raw in a couple places. I trimmed it up and seems to fit a lot better. Neck doesn't hang down. I took him into our local store The Decoy Barn and they let me try on the vests....I was gonna buy him (based up the measurements an XL) but it was tight around his rib cage yet everything else is a little loose...I would try to find somewhere that will let you try is on your dog before buying...Seems like the avery's run a little small...Hope this helps

[QH's Paw]

Originally Posted by stlhdr1

With the colder weather coming, water temps dropping and hunting the Big C a lot I decided to get my lab a vest. He's a big boy tipping the scales at 95 pounds or so... Anyhow I purchased the Avery Dog Vest in a 2XL which is the suggested size for a 33" chest like my dog has. The only issue is it seems a bit tight and is tough getting the zipper zipped up.

Is this normal or should I take the fatso to a 3XL??

Keith

The vest should be snug, if it fits correctly. However, it should not hinder the dog and his movement. If your dog is getting bear spots and/or red worn areas then the vest is too tight in those areas. In some vests you will have to trim legpit areas to prevent chaffing. Not all vests are designed to be trimmed. Before you start cutting on the vest for better fit, make sure there are additional rows of cross stitch up any of the seams you will be cutting across(you may have to add some if they aren't present).
I purchased a 2XL Avery with handles for Kodi this season. He is a lean dog for his body size. The vest fits his body snug and his neck a bit loose. He weighs in at 86lbs.
Like someone has suggested already, go somewhere and try the vests on. Besides Scott's shop(Decoy Barn in St. Helens OR) you can also take him in Sportsman's whse. and try one on. I think you just have to keep him on leash. The Lacey Cabelas does not allow dogs in the store(been there done that).
Remember there are 2 purposes to the vest. First and foremost is to help the dog retain body heat. If the body portion is too loose then water runs through it and you lose the heat retention affect some. The other purpose is to protect him from being speared by sticks etc.
Some people might also say the vest is for floatation and others (with blondes,yellow, and whites) like the camoflauge affect.
I have a spare vest that is 3XL(Avery with handles) that has only been hunted in a couple times. PM me if you're interested and you can try it out.

[Lured In]

Been through a couple vests and finally settled on the Cabelas version. It has a 2" wide velcro closure (no zipper) so you can get a better fit. I had to cut the leg holes bigger than even the bar tacks allowed, but my wife stitched in some new ones and have held up great.

[stlhdr1]

Originally Posted by QH's Paw

The vest should be snug, if it fits correctly. However, it should not hinder the dog and his movement. If your dog is getting bear spots and/or red worn areas then the vest is too tight in those areas. In some vests you will have to trim legpit areas to prevent chaffing. Not all vests are designed to be trimmed. Before you start cutting on the vest for better fit, make sure there are additional rows of cross stitch up any of the seams you will be cutting across(you may have to add some if they aren't present).
I purchased a 2XL Avery with handles for Kodi this season. He is a lean dog for his body size. The vest fits his body snug and his neck a bit loose. He weighs in at 86lbs.
Like someone has suggested already, go somewhere and try the vests on. Besides Scott's shop(Decoy Barn in St. Helens OR) you can also take him in Sportsman's whse. and try one on. I think you just have to keep him on leash. The Lacey Cabelas does not allow dogs in the store(been there done that).
Remember there are 2 purposes to the vest. First and foremost is to help the dog retain body heat. If the body portion is too loose then water runs through it and you lose the heat retention affect some. The other purpose is to protect him from being speared by sticks etc.
Some people might also say the vest is for floatation and others (with blondes,yellow, and whites) like the camoflauge affect.
I have a spare vest that is 3XL(Avery with handles) that has only been hunted in a couple times. PM me if you're interested and you can try it out.

Yeah, I might consider the 3XL then.. The 2XL is a bit snug and he just stands there and stares at me when it's on him. Although when I throw his toys he seems to run and get them fine... Heck, I don't know...

I just know the next couple weeks the water temps and air temps are going to drop and any extra insulation would be nice for him, he's my best bud!

Keith

[jnicholson]

Keep it snug and make sure that the arm pits are cut out enough so that it does not rub him raw. Raw armpits are serious business for a lab.

John and Bucky

[stlhdr1]

Originally Posted by jnicholson

Keep it snug and make sure that the arm pits are cut out enough so that it does not rub him raw. Raw armpits are serious business for a lab.

John and Bucky

Snug is what it is now... It takes a fair amount of effort to zip it up the back... Heck with it, I'll just hunt him Monday with it on and see how he likes it...

Keith