PFDs Personal Floatation Devices for Dogs-Doggy Life Vests!
Sooo, here's a question, although a little macabre: Why is the vest underneath and on the sides of the dog instead of on his back and sides? In a human, the "Mae West" is on the chest to keep the face above water, as the vest would tend to want to roll you on your back, especially if you're unconscious. But on a dog, wouldn't you want to keep him paws down? If a dog is unconscious in the water, is there any position which would tend to keep the snout above the waterline? |
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| Wow... lots of good questions.
Wondering if the thinking is that the floaty-stuff under the dog keeps the dog higher in the water? Wonder what the roll-tendency is? It seems to keep a dog's head above water that the neck would need to be supported. Nothing even close to the neck on this PFD... Wondering if there are any that are Coast Guard approved? |
| I believe the theory is it is suppossed to make the dog more bouyant and only that. In the context of the post it was to assure a puppy he wasn't going to sink and have him panick. ALl I know is they do keep my boy calm - he literally won't go in past his belly without it - with it he will swim all the way into the lake (I have to really keep an eye on him.)
Here's a nice discussion of your topic http://www.boatus.com/foundation/findings/findingsdog.htm |
Personally I prefer the one in 6Girls' avatar. Much more fetching  |
| We looked for a CGA dog vest this spring and didnt find one.
The opening & handles are on the back to facilitate getting the dog back in the boat - if the opening was on the chest, they might slip out or the straps break. |
Ron's pictured one looks like the dog would flip over 
I bought one last year for Simon - basset hounds DO NOT swim or even float! I fitted it then took him to the rehab pool at The Paw for a test float . No way was I taking him out without knowing it actually worked. And, it did! He was NOT thrilled at all (as you can see in the picture), but I convinced him it was for his own good. 
and after 
I can't remember the brand name (and I'm at work), bit it has fitted front leg holes, mesh under the chest and belly and a long zipper the length of the dog's back to keep it all snuggly in place. Also has 2 handles so you can grab the dog from the top if needed! |
| And here's a picture with Chewie with a different style PFD on. These are the ones that The Paw provides for the canine swimmers - and they come in all sizes. They work well too.
I put one on Chewie, as his coat was trying to sink him......  |
got sheep wrote: Ron's pictured one looks like the dog would flip over
Far from it - of course my boys are on the BIG side but both Morgan and Beowulf used one all last summer and Marley made a guest swim - her one and only. Even with her - obviously a panicked water slapping swimmer, the vest gave her nice support. she has the other kind, but when she is in coat its a nightmare to use jmho The one thing is this one doesn't allow you to use it as a handle, we keep a collar and leash on the dogs at all times when they swim in the lake. |
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