Dog PFDs

[spirit4earth]

Hi everyone---I've got to get a PFD for my 12 lb dog.  I've tried several, but the necks on most of them are too big.  Has anyone tried any of these:  Henry & Clemmies, Outward Hound, Ruff Gear (neck's SO big!), MTI UnderDog, Astral Buoyancy, or EzyDog?
Input and suggestions would be great!

[SUP Sports ®]

We sell a very well designed DFD (Doggie Flotation Device) that will fit perfect...best that I've seen...

http://blog.surfingsports.com/2010/02/doggy-flotation-devices-dfd.html

"Summer", the Spaniel's first day on a paddleboard...

[spirit4earth]

Nice!  Do you have any photos of a dog swimming in the pfd?

[pdxmike]

Great timing--I've just started looking for a dog pfd for a 130-lb. (dry weight) dog, so opposite problem of worrying about the neck being too big.  I've had ruffwear recommended highly for large dogs but no idea if they work for small dogs.

Wardog, do you have those dfds for sale on your website?  Those look well thought out.  Looks like they've been thoroughly "lab tested".  Do you know if they come large enough to fit a 130-lb. dog with a chest close to 40"?

Also am interested in what works at the small end, in case the cat gets jealous when we get one for the dog.

[spirit4earth]

I'm trying to figure out where to buy them, and get the sizing etc.

[SUP Sports ®]

Definitely thoroughly "lab tested"...;-)
Here's our Labs putting them to the test...they love them...would live in them all day if we let them...;-)

From the size chart below the Large goes out to 115#...but, they do make custom DFD's...
Dang...130# is a freakin' horse!...;-)

We don't have them click&buy on our website as we mostly sell our branded hard goods in our brick&mortar store...however, we are a one stop SUP shop so a toll free call to 888.805.9978 or email to
i n f o (at) s u r f i n g s p o r t s (dot) com will get you to our staff to arrange payment...of course, we take all major cards and PayPal...shipping is via Fedex...

Product info:

Our dog flotation vest (life jacket) uses a unique enclosed design.

Think of it as being more like your fitted, ergonomic whitewater PFD or water-ski/wakeboard vest rather than one of the bulky, one size fits most jackets you are issued on airplanes – you know, the ones that are bulky and square, you can’t swim in and that ride up around your ears.  
Harness construction cradles your dog in the jacket and removes pressure points.
Hinged foam segments allow free movement and a better fit.
Variable density foam complements natural buoyancy.
Chest panel keeps the head above water without pressuring the throat.
Tapered panels give a better fit on a range of doggy shapes.
Double strapping secures the jacket evenly and firmly.
Full length lifting handle and leash attachment for doggy overboard situations.
Harness construction for secure lifting, minimizes throat and elbow pressure.
Durable construction using Cordura® Nylon and waterproof reflective tapes.
No Velcro or awkward fastenings!

[Beasho]

I looked into those dog specific jackets and before I could order one found out that you could just flip around an old life jacket and put it on the dog backwards.  Not perfect, but got the job done and could still grab the webbing to lift him back on the board.

Make for an interesting session trying to paddle, catch fish and manage a dog on the deck all at the same time.

[pdxmike]

Interesting idea. 

Apollo is now telling me, though, that he wants a belt pfd.   

[spookini]

Spirit4:

The "Outward Hound" from Amazon gets 2-paws up review.  Good construction, good fit, and not as expensive as some other models.

The added bonus is the carry handle allows you to pick your 12'lber up and carry him/her around like a 6-pack.  Always good for a laugh on the beach.  Something about a dog in life jacket always seems to get people chuckling

[SUP-poser]

Heart-warming to know you all are thinking about doggie safety. I had a chilling experience several years ago. I was in a friend's boat cruising a few hundred yards offshore returning from a dive when I spotted what I took to be the fins of some odd fish. They were closely spaced and seemed to move independently like no other fish fins I'd seen before. I pointed them out to my friend and we turned offshore for a closer look. As we closed in we realized the "fins" were the ears of a German Shepherd struggling desperately to get to shore. After we got over the shock of the inexplicable encounter and dragged the dog on board, we spotted a distant boat about a mile offshore. We headed out and as we hove to alongside, the scuba divers climbing on to the boat called out asking if we'd seen a dog. We got him back on his own boat and I have to say I had mixed feelings about returning him to people who seemed to think they could safely disappear in the water and leave their bewildered dog alone in the boat. Hopefully they never repeated this prank. Pure coincidence that we happened along to rescue the exhausted animal who would have had little chance of climbing out of the deep shore waters onto the remote lava cliff here in Kona after his swim—assuming he made the shore at all.

[SUP Sports ®]

Personally I don't see how pricing is an issue ($79.95) when it comes to a family member...fit, function, and quality are my main determinants...

Here's an online order link:
http://surfingsports.com/xstore.asp#!/~/product/category=6187085&id=34402581

Here’s Four Good Reasons Why Your Dog Needs A Dog Flotation Vest, Even If He’s A Great Swimmer   

Dogs are sprinters, not stayers in the water:
They go in and out of the water, fetching or chasing, with short rest periods where they put their paws down and rest. If they have to swim even a modest distance they will exhaust quickly and once that happens, they sink.

Moving or cold water is extra tiring:  
Swimming even modest distances in cold, moving or deep water is challenging for even the most capable doggy paddler. Exhaustion and hypothermia both limit your dog’s natural swimming ability.

We Are Changing The Behaviour Of Our Dog To Suit Our Adventures:  
The on-water environment has some new challenges for your dog. Balancing on a SUP or kayak, different smells and sounds, the changing energy of the people around them as adrenalin rises and falls all affect your dog. Fitting a comfortable, well-designed and well-fitted dog flotation vest will help him swim more comfortably for longer, and give you a secure harness in which to lift him if he struggles.

Dog Overboard Rescues Are Easier:
Rescuing a struggling dog from the water can be difficult. Having some kind of secure, well-fitted lifting harness around your dog in the water makes it easier to hold and lift your dog. It reduces the risk of them swamping you, and makes the whole experience more comfortable for them.

[spirit4earth]

Has anyone tried the Ezydog DFD?

[spirit4earth]

SUPsports, I responded to your pm, but there's nothing in my outbox---let me know if you didn't get my message.

[SUP Sports ®]

Gottit...and, I pinged you back...

[jdmotes]

Personally I don't see how pricing is an issue ($79.95) when it comes to a family member...fit, function, and quality are my main determinants...

Here's an online order link:
http://surfingsports.com/xstore.asp#!/~/product/category=6187085&id=34402581

Here’s Four Good Reasons Why Your Dog Needs A Dog Flotation Vest, Even If He’s A Great Swimmer   

Dogs are sprinters, not stayers in the water:
They go in and out of the water, fetching or chasing, with short rest periods where they put their paws down and rest. If they have to swim even a modest distance they will exhaust quickly and once that happens, they sink.

Moving or cold water is extra tiring:  
Swimming even modest distances in cold, moving or deep water is challenging for even the most capable doggy paddler. Exhaustion and hypothermia both limit your dog’s natural swimming ability.

We Are Changing The Behaviour Of Our Dog To Suit Our Adventures:  
The on-water environment has some new challenges for your dog. Balancing on a SUP or kayak, different smells and sounds, the changing energy of the people around them as adrenalin rises and falls all affect your dog. Fitting a comfortable, well-designed and well-fitted dog flotation vest will help him swim more comfortably for longer, and give you a secure harness in which to lift him if he struggles.

Dog Overboard Rescues Are Easier:
Rescuing a struggling dog from the water can be difficult. Having some kind of secure, well-fitted lifting harness around your dog in the water makes it easier to hold and lift your dog. It reduces the risk of them swamping you, and makes the whole experience more comfortable for them.

Wardog. I need to get a small shipped to the house for Bonnie Bell. I'll call you tomorrow with the info... Super-glad I saw this... Paddle on,  JD