Chest Guard/Skid Plate Suggestions

[justsomedude]

Twice this year I've taken my GSP out and he has come back with some large scrapes and cuts on his chest.  They're healing fine and I wouldn’t have even known if I hadn’t checked him over, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to get a chest guard/skid plate for him.  Like most dog supplies it appears I'm going to be stuck buying online without actually seeing the product so I thought I'd ask here first.   

Does anybody have any suggestions on brands and/or types?  Do the neoprene vest protect as well as the “skid plate” ones? 

Anybody ever made one? 

-Brett

[CP]

Neoprene shrinks over time and it can overheat your dog in warm weather.  Whatever you get, make sure it is fire resistant; some vest materials are highly flammable.

[L-ofalab]

A friend gets his at Cabelas for his vizslas.

[HighCountryHunter88]

Mendota has a quality product. 

[stillhunter]

I agree about the neoprene, they can quickly overheat with it.  I just used a neoprene vest as a pattern and had my wife make one with a canvas chest and  an orange ripstop for the sides with a zipper down the back.  Not only great to deflect the trash but makes them easy to see and you can custom fit.  The material were about 10 bucks.

[jplmyers]

CP, dumb question, why the concern about fire?  Maybe I'm missing something?

[netcoyote]

My English Setter got a scuffed up chest the first few years I had him in the field when he was young. I bought a chest protector for him but then had second thoughts about using it. Watching him run like lightning over obstacles, I came to believe that he was learning where every square inch of his body was and moved accordingly. If I introduced an artificial protector to him, he may be at greater risk of having it snag on a branch and do much greater harm than protection from some minor scratches.
In my case, my theory worked out. I never use a chest protector on the dog and he hasn't had any major chafing or injuries in over five years.
Not saying that every situation would be the same for every dog, but just wanted to make a case for NOT using a protector based on my experience.

[jplmyers]

I know a member of our exceptionally small breed club who had his dog get impaled on a stick this year.  That for me is reason enough.  Accidents happen, and sharp sticks are pretty common.  My $.02 on why you should get one. 

I prefer canvas, but I also train or hunt my dog year round.  We got ours from Lion Country Supply and he seems unbothered and unimpeded by it.

http://www.lcsupply.com/Skid-Plate/productinfo/SKID/

[Stilly bay]

In my case, my theory worked out. I never use a chest protector on the dog and he hasn't had any major chafing or injuries in over five years.
Not saying that every situation would be the same for every dog, but just wanted to make a case for NOT using a protector based on my experience.

better find a large piece of wood ASAP and knock on it.

I know a member of our exceptionally small breed club who had his dog get impaled on a stick this year.  That for me is reason enough.  Accidents happen, and sharp sticks are pretty common.  My $.02 on why you should get one. 

I prefer canvas, but I also train or hunt my dog year round.  We got ours from Lion Country Supply and he seems unbothered and unimpeded by it.

http://www.lcsupply.com/Skid-Plate/productinfo/SKID/

this is what I use with my Gordon when grouse hunting. I call it his training bra.  never have had a problem with chafing or stick punctures. I have never seen him get hung up in the brush either.

[huntingfool7]

Sylmar vests are well made.

http://www.gundogsupply.com/sylmar-body-guard-dog-vest.html
http://www.sylmardogwear.com/

I picked one of these up recently and I really like the quality of it.  Jerry bought the Sylmar company because he liked the quality.  You won't be disappointed.
In the past, I had bought another, cheaper vest off the shelf at Cabelas in Grand Forks.  Lasted less than 1 day in the field before it had a large tear in it.

[sanderson]

http://www.kvsupply.com/KVVet/assets/product_images/large91790.jpg

Would not take my girl out with out this.

[CP]

CP, dumb question, why the concern about fire?  Maybe I'm missing something?

Not that my dog is ever around an ignition source but you never know.  The cheap Chinese polyester burns rapidly, melts quickly and drips sticky molten fireballs everywhere.  I would not wish that on anyone’s dog.

[justsomedude]

Thanks for the input guys!  Spent 2 days in the field without incident, but plan on ordering a "skid plate" for the dog to wear in certain areas.  Thanks again.