Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Bird Dogs => Topic started by: Special T on November 26, 2012, 05:40:55 PM

Title: Dog Life Jackets?
Post by: Special T on November 26, 2012, 05:40:55 PM: I hadn't ever used one until a couple of weeks ago. Borrowed it from a friend. My Chessie Chief doesn't need one for the cold, but he seems to be getting hung up in my decoys and that marsh grass while swimming/retrieving ducks on the skagit bay. The one i Tired was more like a Camo Life jacket with plastic buckles kinda like the ones you see with people that have big boats. It seemed to grab more grass and decoy lines than my dog did before. What do you guys think about those Neoprene Flotation vest those Avery, Cabellas, Final approach etc have? Chief getting tangled up kind of got me thinking about this.. And Yes he is one of those dogs that swims with his but down until he gets a bird in his mouth and levels out! :bash:
Title: Re: Dog Life Jackets?
Post by: Stilly bay on November 26, 2012, 06:03:46 PM: the avery boat vest (i think its called) has served my dogs well over the last few years. i really like the handle on it. its great for helping the dog up... or if you need help getting up a slippery dike trail you can hang on to your dog for extra traction.
Title: Re: Dog Life Jackets?
Post by: lokidog on November 26, 2012, 06:19:06 PM: Always used one of those zip-up neoprene vests. Mostly for the warmth for Loki as she had thin hair, but also for the flotation when struggling against currents or other unforseen circumstances. A handle on the back would have been handy.

It would be worth the money to get one that is custom or semi-custom fit.
Title: Re: Dog Life Jackets?
Post by: Kola16 on November 26, 2012, 06:38:01 PM: Quote from: lokidog on November 26, 2012, 06:19:06 PM
Always used one of those zip-up neoprene vests. Mostly for the warmth for Loki as she had thin hair, but also for the flotation when struggling against currents or other unforseen circumstances. A handle on the back would have been handy.

It would be worth the money to get one that is custom or semi-custom fit.

I have a neoprene vest for my dog, and I think that I am going to have a strap sewn on it for the reasons that Stilly bay said.
Title: Re: Dog Life Jackets?
Post by: Stilly bay on November 26, 2012, 07:22:09 PM: Quote from: lokidog on November 26, 2012, 06:19:06 PM

It would be worth the money to get one that is custom or semi-custom fit.

They rarely fit right when you buy them. its pretty easy to make a perfect custom fit if your halfway handy with a sewing needle.
I used spider wire and aqua seal to make my dogs vest fit like a wet suit. otherwise there was too much extra material flapping about and causing drag while the dogs swim; which can be the difference between a successful retrieve and a really bad situation if your dog gets tired out on a really cold retrieve.

I made the alterations two seasons ago and they are holding up fine.
Title: Re: Dog Life Jackets?
Post by: Special T on November 26, 2012, 07:51:41 PM: Imagine this vest in camo and its the one i used, or very similar...
Title: Re: Dog Life Jackets?
Post by: Stilly bay on November 26, 2012, 08:09:39 PM: that looks like it has a lot more flotation than my avery vest with its small "flotation packs".

the avery might be a step down from that in flotation, but at least it would have more insulation value. just because your chessie doesn't let the cold bother him doesn't mean he isn't susceptible to hypothermia like any other dog.
Title: Re: Dog Life Jackets?
Post by: Special T on November 26, 2012, 08:11:23 PM: I like it when its Cold he isn't as cantankerous!
Title: Re: Dog Life Jackets?
Post by: Stilly bay on November 26, 2012, 08:32:45 PM: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Dog Life Jackets?
Post by: Special T on November 26, 2012, 10:15:48 PM: My last Chessie liked breaking ice he would break 1/4in ice for an hour retrieving birds or dummys
Title: Re: Dog Life Jackets?
Post by: Stilly bay on November 26, 2012, 10:33:43 PM: Quote from: Special T on November 26, 2012, 10:15:48 PM
My last Chessie liked breaking ice he would break 1/4in ice for an hour retrieving birds or dummys

some dogs must be born hot blooded. it doesn't matter if its in the low 40's, my chocolate lab will jump in the water and just wallow, he looks as if he is relieved to finally cool down. poor guy is miserable in the summer and he has one of the thinnest coats I have ever seen on a lab.
Title: Re: Dog Life Jackets?
Post by: Jim Sr. on November 30, 2012, 05:28:15 PM: Avery boater parka is what I use for my yellow lab, it has floatation, leash loop & a handle. Has worked well in the cold water.