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  1. #1
    Best Friend Retriever SoapySophie's Avatar
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    Life vest recommendations please

    I'm looking to get one for Sophie and have tried on a couple at pet stores - they seem to fit fine toward the front (chest) but are way too flappy at the back (you could take the end and lift it way up).

    Is that how it's supposed to fit, or is her deep chest throwing the fit off? I'm thinking that maybe there should be a strap/attachment closer to her rear end to keep the end of the vest from lifting up?

    I've been eyeing this one, as, based on a couple of reviews with pictures, it seems to fit a golden retriever perfectly:
    https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00...K6Y9EEQB&psc=1

    Help, please?
    Sophie: Born July 28, 2014
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  2. #2
    Best Friend Retriever Java's Avatar
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    Boomer wears a Ruffwear float coat. This is the 4th season using it. Love it. The top handle is super durable. I've hauled him (73 lbs) out of the water SO many times while paddle boarding (and gently used on my previous dog Chloe who was 80 lbs). Well-thought out design. Looks & feels like quality. He's deep-chested so the back has some give to it but doesn't seem to be a problem. However, $180 on Amazon Canada! Bought mine for $80 from a BC distributor. A friend of mine has bought various other kinds from different pet stores. With heavy use, she says none last her more than a season.

    And oh my gosh, Sophie's adorable.
    Last edited by Java; 07-25-2017 at 12:17 AM.

  3. #3
    Best Friend Retriever SoapySophie's Avatar
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    Lol thanks, disgustingly cute is what I call her. ☺️

    Ruffwear...I was looking at that, and then stopped looking when I saw the price. Too bad.
    Sophie: Born July 28, 2014
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  4. #4
    Senior Dog TuMicks's Avatar
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    Why does a Labrador need a life vest?

  5. #5
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TuMicks View Post
    Why does a Labrador need a life vest?
    I don't use a life vest on mine when playing at the beach or on the sound where they can swim in and out readily. If I was out in a boat on open water, a distance from land, I'd probably use one in case a boat ride turned into a swim, shore wasn't near, and getting a wet, paddling lab back into a boat would be a challenge. It would both offer them some support if they got tired and give you a handle to haul them in with. If the dog doesn't swim regularly, they may tire more quickly than one might think.

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    SoapySophie (07-25-2017)

  7. #6
    Best Friend Retriever Java's Avatar
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    For me, to haul him out of the water back onto my paddle board, and to make him more visible to jet skiers.

    I checked online. Atmosphere sells it for $85.

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    SoapySophie (07-25-2017)

  9. #7
    Senior Dog Jeff's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TuMicks View Post
    Why does a Labrador need a life vest?
    Paddle boarding, canoeing, boating. Any distance from shore. While sure they can swim just fine, but ever try to get 90lbs of wet squirming dog back in a boat or a canoe. So much easier to reach down and grab the handle and lift.

  10. #8
    Senior Dog JackK's Avatar
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    I have had a boat for 15 years and having a Labrador jump into the ocean presents a real challenge getting them back aboard. I highly recommend the Ruffwear jackets. The handles are well placed and very sturdy. I have reached over and pulled CASSIE aboard countless times with no tears or wear at all. The vest still looks like new. The other place the vest came in handy is around the docks. CASSIE tends to get so excited when she sees one of her friends that she forgets that the docks offer very little braking surface. She has slid off the docks into the marina waters more times than I can count. Very easy to pull her back up on the dock with the back handle.

  11. #9
    Senior Dog TuMicks's Avatar
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    I've never been in a boat on the water and had to recover my dog... only can go on what others tell me. BUT, I'm told that if the dog can get his feet on the gunnel, then holding the back of his head, he can pull himself in. I've done it from a dock and it worked fine. The dog was a big male and I'm a skinny female. We didn't do any training to learn how to do it, it just seemed natural for him to pull himself up using his front end.

  12. #10
    Best Friend Retriever Java's Avatar
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    I used to help Boomer onto my board that way. Switched to the float coat. Personal preference.

    I originally got the float coat for my previous dog. She was a lanky, black, wolf-like dog, big for her weight. Everyone who saw her got out of her way even though she only had one eye and had that lovely white senior mask. To my surprise, that float coat made her seem friendly to everyone. We sometimes got swarmed by admirers when we got back to the beach. Great dog. Talking about float coats and paddle boards always makes me think of her. So yeah, to me, that float coat has meaning.

 



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