Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: Bunny Thumper on January 06, 2017, 11:13:57 AM
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What is everyone's opinion of neoprene dog vests in very cold weather? Do they keep the dog warm or can they make the dog cold by not letting it shake off water trapped underneath?
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I have a dog vest from cabelas that I use it is one of the flotation ones. It keeps his core warm though and has a handle on top I can pick him up and put him in or out of the vehicle. I like it because it also protects his chest as he's the type of dog that doesn't stay on trail so he is always scratching his chest up. :twocents:
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A properly fitted and trimmed dog vest will keep 90% of the water out from under the vest, ie when you take the vest off after a hunt your dog is essentially dry under the vest. The inside of the vest will steam after it is taken off indicating the heat trapped between your dog and the vest. Given that a body loses heat 25 times faster when in contact with water than dry air I think a dog vest is a no brainer in cold weather. A 100% outside dog that is acclimated to the temps will have a coat that essentially does the same by keeping water off the skin, but that ain't my dog, and even if it was, why not use a vest for added protection. :twocents:
Vest must fit properly. If your dog is getting soaked underneath your vest, it doesn't fit correctly.
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If it's under 20 degrees I'll put my labs in vests. It seems to keep them dry and warm under the vest. they don't like the vests much though. I like the bring a blanket for them to get off the ground or bottom of the boat. The cabelas vests didn't fit my dogs very well, they're too loose in the belly region and where it would bend around the front shoulders it wouldn't make contact to the dog. They're small labs so I made my own from an old set of waders.
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I use the vests. On a cold day I will slip my hand under my pups vest. It's nice and warm under that vest. As was mentioned, when the vest comes off, she's pretty dry as well. Vest are a good thing for a waterdog. My pup get's really excited when she see's her hunting vest set out for the next days hunt. That means she's going. Here's my girl in her vest.
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We use one. Even if it traps water, it will be warmer - that is how scuba wetsuits work.
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I use the vests. On a cold day I will slip my hand under my pups vest. It's nice and warm under that vest. As was mentioned, when the vest comes off, she's pretty dry as well. Vest are a good thing for a waterdog. My pup get's really excited when she see's her hunting vest set out for the next days hunt. That means she's going. Here's my girl in her vest.
:yeah:
When I take mine off my dog steam is rolling off of her if it is really cold...I am convinced it keeps her warm :tup:
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I have not doubt that they keep the dog warmer. I do have a question on how tight should the vest be on your dog?
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My dog lives outside. So she has a good coat.
I put a vest on if we are hunting out of a boat, or ponds where ice might be present to protect her chest.
My first dog was retrieving a bumper and slipped through a hole in ice and was trapped under the ice for a short time. Scared the heck out of me. So I am cautious around ice.
If in a field I seldom put the vest on as she just gets to hot.
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I will never go out on a cold day with out my dogs vest. My Chessie Chief caught hypothermia while we were out for a morning hunt. I couldnt find his vest because he normally doesnt need it. Big mistake. there are 2 reasons why they work. 1 is the additional flotation they provide. doesnt sound like much but Chief swims like he had a 5lb brick of lead in his rear, the jacket helps a lot. 2 anyone who has used a wet suit while diving or waterskiing can attest to how much warmer they keep you even tho you get wet.
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Adds warmth, flotation AND protection.
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We use one on my GSP. It seams to keep him warm and I like the added protection for an otherwise accident prone dog.
He seams to like it to, as soon as he sees it he knows what where about to go do.