Dog Life Jackets/Flotation
 

So I will get my dog a life jacket, and with the time we spend on the water I hope it to be the most comfortable to her as possible, but also float a good deal in case of emergency.

I want to support CWB with this type of thing, but the others seem to be a bit doggier friendly?

Any opinions or information?
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...080&hasJS=true

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...rid=2146251080

http://www.evogear.com/wakeboard-ves...ign=googlebase

Thanks!

The only one I've ever seen was the CWB.... and if Scraps likes it, its got to be good
http://www.cwbwakeboards.com/index.php?mod=vests&id=407

^ video there

i

that is a good video

What's wrong with the old faithful?

Don't know about the others but I can vouch for the Paws Aboard. Both our dogs wear them and never seem to be concerned with them. Plus they fit nice and will not come off when you use the handle on the top, which some of the cheaper brands we've tried had issues with.

I think I have the Paws Aboard vest for my dog. He has a very hard time keeping his head above water without the vest, but when he has it on, it keeps him floating. It seems like he is comfortable with it on. It's also really nice having the handle on top for lifting him in and out of the boat.
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o...Trinity006.jpg

RUFFWEAR!!!!

Their vests are awesome. Great fit and function.
We still use ours that we bought for our previous dog in 2001.

The product:
http://www.ruffwear.com/Big-Eddy-Float-Coat

A video of a swim party at my house:
http://www.youtube.com/user/savvydog.../3/B4gTxJvtDHE

BTW, REI carries these RUFFWEAR coats if you don't want to buy over the internet.

Note , the dogs in the picture above are wearing the now cheaper vests which were purchased before their newer more expensive vest.

http://www.ruffwear.com/Portage-Float-Coat $50

http://www.ruffwear.com/Big-Eddy-Float-Coat $75

GD,
What's your opinion on the differences between the 2 ruffwear coats? Is the $75 jacket worth the extra money? Thanks!

+2 FOR RUFFWEAR, best jackets ont he market IMO

http://www.altrec.com/ruff-wear/k-9-...og-life-jacket


this is the one I have for my 130lb American Bulldog and it floats him pefectly. And he is well lets say, not so smooth in the water. More of a panick swimmer.

+ Another vote for Ruffwear. This will be the 5th or 6th season with this jacket.

Thanks! Ruffwear looks very nice!

My one worry with the CWB is in case of emergency (like falling out of a moving boat) when it's needed most it seems it could just blow off like some Non CGA vests do. I could be wrong with the structure of it. Thanks again!

The difference according to Ruffwear on the vests is the less expensive if for calmer water, and the more expensive for rough or any type of water. Any idea on the fit of them being differently, or just the buoyancy?

We use one that looks just like the Paws Aboard vest posted above, but the brand label is "Outward Hound"

Blake, the $50 coats are awesome and do a great job. I would have never figured a better vest was necessary. But, RUFFWEAR is innovating. The new one looks like its a bit more form fitting and a bit more boyant. I would probably follow their advice and use the $75 one for white water (fast rivers and the ocean).

BTW, Bond, the big male in the picture above is wearing Savvy's old vest that we got in 2001. It still in perfect condition after 100s of swim hours. I put the dogs in these vest when we go for our 1 mile swims every weekend day. During the summer, I use the swims as our "dog walk" since I can do an off-leash swim which is more fun than an on-leash walk.

I called Ruffwear... They've got a really good customer service dept. by the way... They said the differences between the 2 jackets are mainly in the materials used to make the outer cover. There's no difference in buoyancy. Just like the description says, one is made for recreation and the other is built more for work.

I love it when companies recommend the cheaper product when they have a chance... They recommended the Portage was the better choice for our dogs. I'm ordering a pair for our hounds.

We use the Outward Hound one on our 85lb pitbull Tank and he loves it. Totally comfortable and it doesn't chafe under his front legs. That is a huge thing to look for when getting a dog life jacket. Also the velcro that goes around his Belly is super strong and once it is closed, it isn't comming off with out alot of help.
The CWB looks like pretty much the same concept as the Outward Hound and Ruffwear. See if you can find one to try on him.
BTW, we got our dog's jacket on ebay and paid $15. Worth every penny!!!

Ruffwear
 

Went with Ruffwear. WOW! Nothing but great things to say. Went with the expensive one just for better durability, and it fits perfect. Actually went in to the local shop here where I buy food, showed them and explained that she will be on the water daily with this on and I will tell people to go there to get one, and they are ordering some in. She hated it for the first 5 min, and now when I take it off she follows it smelling it and almost wanting me to put it back on

You have a pretty dog Adub.

Thanks!

Finally got to use our Ruff Wear Portage jackets... They worked great.

After reading this thread, I'm going with the Ruff Wear. What size should I get for my ~85 lb pitbull? Large I guess?

I went with Medium for my 65-70ish pound Lab. I recommend measuring the dog around the chest, in multiple places and have different people do it as well, and then look at the chart. The Big Eddy (my dog is wearing the red one) does not have as much customization in sizing as the less expensive one pictured above. I went with it do to being more durable and a different fit, as my dog is shorter and stalky, which the cut of the Big Eddy seemed to accommodate. The sizing is adjustable, overall just check the charts after measurement.

Landon,
Give their customer service dept a call... They helped us measure over the phone, and told us what size we needed. Our white bulldog weighs 65lbs, we had to get a large for him.