Has Anyone Used A Dog Life Jacket?

[brandybaby]

I am going to get a life jacket for my puppy so she can swim with us in summer.They are on ebay for quite cheap.As she is a bulldog she will sink and I wanted to know if the realy do work.

if anyone could let me know that would be good

[Reddii]

I am going to get a life jacket for my puppy so she can swim with us in summer.They are on ebay for quite cheap.As she is a bulldog she will sink and I wanted to know if the realy do work.

if anyone could let me know that would be good

Hey SIL,

I haven't used on in the 'wild', but CK, my 10 month BC with a massive coat loves his at hydrotherapy. Without it he can only swim about 3 or 4 laps and then he begins to sink! Now when we get there he barks at me to put his lifejacket on. With it he can and does swim for the full 1/2 hour non stop. I'm going to get one so he can wear it at the beach and chase our other dog for the ball! (the one at hydrotherapy is just a loaner)

Cheers.

Tony

[brandybaby]

Sounds good then.i will buy one.

She loves water so i dont want her to miss out

[shoemonster]

Yep we use them for swimming there are fantastic

They dont need to carry the whole weight of the dog, its more just so that their bums dont sink, as alot of boofier breeds have trouble keeping their bum up while swimming!

[Paula-]

Yep, for kayaking. My dog would always jump ship and swim to the other kayak (must have been thinking "that kayak over there looks steadier, I'll try that one" ). Had a handle on the back so we could easily bring him back on board (although there's a knack to this, to ensure kayak, paddler and dog don't capsize ... )

[brandybaby]

excellent.

as she is a pup how would you recommend I measure her out to get the most out of one.do i get her size now[11 weeks] or something a bit bigger .not sure how fitted they should be.does $20 sound about right price

[shoemonster]

They should be fairly adjustable

We got Ed's a little big for him when he was around 3-4 months old and it fits him still now he's fully grown, on its biggest adjustment, with an extra bit of velcro at the front

[brandybaby]

no worries.I will get her a bigger one.

[Andisa]

My Rottweiler sinks a bit when she swims, so the vest has been fantastic for her. She is able to swim more laps with less effort and speed. She does look a bit woosy and we have been the joke a few times but the difference that it makes when she swims makes it all worth while. When my pug pup it old enough to swim she will be getting her own vest as well.

[blacklabrador]

I use an "Ezydog" life jacket with Guido for his hydrotherapy. Great design of lifejacket - very sturdy. We use it a few times every week so we need it to last. It was $55 for Labradog size.

I would wait until I wanted to take the dog swimming before I bought the vest. Buying one for an 11 week old pup means that you are going to have to upsize a few times before your dog is fully grown. You might find that your dog isn't so keen to swim as a pup - often they will just want to paddle and splash until they get confident with the water.

Edited September 14, 2007 by blacklabrador

[brandybaby]

I did bid on the jacket,so if i dont get it I might wait until it does get hotter and she would be a bit bigger