Dog Community

dog life jacket - not this one

Posted : 11/24/2007 8:11:51 PM

Bugsy can swim but he really struggles (unless he is goose motivated) so I have been thinking of getting him a life jacket. I've looked at lots but his physique makes it difficult to fit (giant chest, tiny waist, over 100lbs).

So today I saw one and decided to try it

Well he looked like a ninja turtle with this thing on - it was hysterical - it was WAY too wide

If I can try and get it back on him I'll take a pic - it was soooo funny.

needless to say this one won't work so I'll keep looking

huskymom

Posted : 11/24/2007 9:13:59 PM

Well anyone would look akward trying to swim in that little pool...besides the golden is in his way....

Liesje

Posted : 11/24/2007 9:50:53 PM

Haha, I want to see the pic!

Kenya wears a life jacket, but it's for lifting in case she falls out of the boat. I prefer jackets with a full padded flap that goes under the belly and also padding around the front (with the buckle straps over top). That way, if I lift her the straps don't cut into her chest.

kpwlee

Posted : 11/25/2007 12:15:29 PM

huskymom
besides the golden is in his way....

LOL she is a major pool hog but its his girl so she can do what she likes Embarrassed

Liesje this is fully padded underneath and I thought it seemed pretty good but the body is way too wide. Which led to the ninja turtle effect or a lady bug preparing for flight. This is the same problem we have with backpacks. The one we have is rated for 70-100lbs and it is way too wide. With this life vest the Large is rated up to 70lbs and will likely be too short in the body. I just can't imagine what people with greyhounds, salukis and the like do as they are thinner than Bugs but at least as deep chested. I will try the pic later as it would be a laugh everytime I looked at it.

Liesje

Posted : 11/25/2007 2:03:13 PM

Yeah I have trouble fitting Kenya as well. German Shepherds are very deep chested, but she is small. Typically in between a medium or a large. Her backpack (wearing in her sig) is for "medium or large" dogs and her life jacket is a large, but it's as tight as it gets. It's not too wide on top, thankfully, but all of the straps are tight and the chest and belly flaps really overlap. Luckily, it has strong velcro and several buckles so it stays secure.

Janet808

Posted : 11/26/2007 8:56:10 PM

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753838&cp&kw=life+jacket&origkw=life+jacket&sr=1

Check this one out. I saw this one before, and I believe it's the same kind our friends down where we boat at have. I do plan on getting one for Misty, when I know she's done growing, and if this is the same one our fellow boaters use, then Max (109lb) lab, and Sony (GS) wears it and it seems to work. It doesn't seem to be as bulky as the one you have.

I just went on dog.com and saw one for under $10, and it had the handle on their back which is nice if you are a boater and you need to help pull your dog in. It looks really nice too.

Good Luck!