dog vest

[goosegunner]

After hunting this weekend I think I need to get a vest for my dog.

Question # 1- Do they actually really help in keeping the dog warm or is it
more for consealment.

Question # 2- whats the best one to get.

Question #3 - I always hear about guys cutting them here and there to
make them properly, whats the key to ordering?
order a size bigger than your dog measures?

[EMO870]

I have an Avery one for my golden. She is much thinner than my old lab. The lab didn't need one but my golden gets much colder faster too. They work, I've put my hand up inside the coat and they are really warm in them. If it extends your hunting day and makes your friend comfortable, it is well worth it in my book. Last weekend I was at the lower columbia and had a branch near the bost sticking out of the water. I made sure it was out of the way but as the tide shifted it moved over toward where my dog jumps off the bow. The vest took the blow from the shart stick and ripped it clean in half on the seam and probably saved us from a huge vet bill. This stick would have ripped her side wide open. Anyway, I wouldn't cut it to fit but just buy one that fits correctly in the first place. They won't stop all blows but this time it worked out just fine. Plus she gets so excited/proud when I put it on her in the morning. Good luck.

One other thing, I put it on in the morning but on the ride home, I make sure to take it off. When you put the heat on in the car, they can get a little too hot if they aren't outside in the elements. If they are in the back of the truck, I'd leave it on.

Erik

[Tvfowlhunter]

Cabelas vests are good aka "awesome warranty", and so are the Avery's vests. Avery has come out with a vest that has a handle on the top, to help with lifting the lab into the boat.

[handsmellikenet]

Originally Posted by EMO870

I have an Avery one for my golden. She is much thinner than my old lab. The lab didn't need one but my golden gets much colder faster too. They work, I've put my hand up inside the coat and they are really warm in them. If it extends your hunting day and makes your friend comfortable, it is well worth it in my book. Last weekend I was at the lower columbia and had a branch near the bost sticking out of the water. I made sure it was out of the way but as the tide shifted it moved over toward where my dog jumps off the bow. The vest took the blow from the shart stick and ripped it clean in half on the seam and probably saved us from a huge vet bill. This stick would have ripped her side wide open. Anyway, I wouldn't cut it to fit but just buy one that fits correctly in the first place. They won't stop all blows but this time it worked out just fine. Plus she gets so excited/proud when I put it on her in the morning. Good luck.

One other thing, I put it on in the morning but on the ride home, I make sure to take it off. When you put the heat on in the car, they can get a little too hot if they aren't outside in the elements. If they are in the back of the truck, I'd leave it on.

Erik

A good dog vest is very important to keep your dog safe from barbed wire sharp sticks and such. Also I have seen dogs get tired after a good day I think a little floatation could realy help keep your dogs head above water. Its easy to cut the vest they even give instructions. The bigest thing is in your dogs arm pit, just make sure there is a large opening for there leg because it will get rubed raw if the vest is in there pit! vest type also depends on wether you are in a blind or boat because if your in a boat you would want a vest with a handle in case you need to give your dog a hand getting back in the boat. I personaly like the drake vests they are a thick heavy duty nylon with two flap type handles to pull your dog in with.

[ommedia]

My dog definitely benefits...after hours in the muck and water, back at the truck, if you take his neoprene off....out blows a ton of heat and steam.

I've used 3 vests over the years, all take punishment pretty well. The newer ones have good features. All of them I have had to cut so he could go to the bathroom like a proud male

I would have loved to have a handle on the back of ours years ago!

I took my dog into Sportsman's warehouse (2 years ago) to try on his latest one...they didn't mind at all.

Originally Posted by goosegunner

After hunting this weekend I think I need to get a vest for my dog.

Question # 1- Do they actually really help in keeping the dog warm or is it
more for consealment.

Question # 2- whats the best one to get.

Question #3 - I always hear about guys cutting them here and there to
make them properly, whats the key to ordering?
order a size bigger than your dog measures?

[Threemuch]

I used to have one on my dog all the time. But if you hunt lots of flooded timber and especially willows, your dog coud get hung up and drown, with you not being able to do anything about it. It's not a huge risk, but it's there.

I like the boaters parka when we hunt from a boat, the handle is convenient to get the dog back in.

[James in Idaho]

I've had one for my chessie for years, and it's a lot colder over here in Eastern Idaho. Don't know that it keeps them any warmer in the water but it sure helps them warm up after a swim. You have to cut a little "v" so the boy isn't um, restricted. Mine is a Cabela's vest, still going strong after 6 or 7 years at least.

[jnicholson]

Originally Posted by goosegunner

After hunting this weekend I think I need to get a vest for my dog.

Question # 1- Do they actually really help in keeping the dog warm or is it
more for consealment.

Question # 2- whats the best one to get.

Question #3 - I always hear about guys cutting them here and there to
make them properly, whats the key to ordering?
order a size bigger than your dog measures?

For me and Bucky it's helps keep him warmer and it provides protection from getting impaled by a sharp stick. Most of the ones we replaced have been because they been ripped and hung up on something like barbwire, beaver sticks, blinds etc. Any suit helps with flotation but Bucky swims all year so I'm not worried about his swimming ability. I want him to be comfortable and protected from injury. We usually go through 2 a season and the best ones are the simple thinner neoprene that has larger cut armpit holes so it doesn't wear him raw. As for concealment, I don't think it matters. For photos I think they look cool ... and your dog's gotta look cool right!

Also ... make sure it matches your seat covers




John and Bucky

[Linejerk]

Originally Posted by jnicholson

Also ... make sure it matches your seat covers
John and Bucky

[Old Guys Rule]

Here is a differing opinion on neoprene dog vests:

Neoprene vests definitely retain your dog's body heat better - makes no diff on camo. But I have gone away from using them. I hunt the Willammette, Santiam, and Luckiamutte - lots of current and brush, I have seen 2 near drownings with dogs who got hung up in the willows due to snagged vests in the past 5 years. Usually the dog rips the vest in half or the velcro releases but not always. Because of where I hunt I will NEVER use a vest with straps and a carry handle, that type will never break away. I don't even send him out with a collar on anymore, he sits in his place with an old wool blanket over him if it is cold and he is shivering. It is easy for me to manage as I usually hunt out of a boat. He even has his own propane heater on real cold days, but no neoprene vest anymore.

If you hunt open fields or big water and have the dog in sight the entire retrieve a dog vest is great. If you hunt flooded timber and brush, I suggest wearing a float coat and a wader belt yourself so you can swim out and free your dog before he drowns in front of you snagged in the bushes, don't ask me how I know....

[ChinookEdition]

I really think thadog vest are huge in keeping the dog more comfortable when out hunting. I have a Weimaraner and he doesnt have a very think coat like a lab does so it is a must have with him if I want him out in the water retrieving ducks.

http://www.averysportingdog.com/products/Vests.php
Go here, I believe that avery makes the best vests they also have the extra floatation in them too. A friend had the cabelas type and it ripped after only one season. I have had mine for over three years.