Hi All
Do any of you use a Neoprene Vest for your dog in cold water?

John

The French are always there when they need us.

I don't. But I would if I thought they needed one.

I'm pretty sure Prowler would eat it thinking it was a big fruit roll up or something.

PB

A lot of people think these things are silly like a sweater on a poodle, they are not. They are serious tools for serious hunters. Your dog will never complain about being cold in the field, nor will a chessie ever quit in the field, however, a vest lets him last as long as he thinks he can.

When the air temp drops below freezing they are a good idea. Not so much because our beloved dogs can't handle the weather, just so they can last longer. When we are breaking ice up here on the bay it helps to protect him as well.

On an icy day, every half hour or so take your glove off and feel up under the vest, it should be toasty warm, if not it is time to get your dog in out of the weather.

"You got to kill it before you can grill it."

I REALLY AGREE WITH THIS VEST. ONCE HAD A BIG CUT IN THE CHEST OF MY OLD CHESAPEAKE(1984)
I REALLY THOUGHT THAT HE COULD HANDLE THAT THICK ICE BUT BEWARE,THEY ARE SO EAGER TO GO FOR IT,THEY EASILY HURT THEMSELVES!!!!
DOMINIQUE

I bought a vest an agree with everything you all say. But my problem. He soends more time trying to get it off and I start to get annoyed with him. Any suggestions? It's cold up here in New England and I'd like to see him in his camo vest without complaints.

John,

The vest is a must for the dog as much as goretex or wool socks are for us in the late season. On a last day of the season in Alaska a few years ago, it was 7 deg F. when we left the docks in Kachemak Bay and headed for China Poot with a local outfitter/guide. 2 labs, my Chase daughter and a golden. The labs and my Belle had vests on the golden did not. I checked Belle periodically and inside the vest was a comfortable, warm retriever. On the way back after a day gunning, the golden looked like an ice climbing venue and lucky for his owner there was an old fashioned pot belly furnace in the cabin of the old boat. I don't think the golden's owner knew how close to losing his dog he was. I also use a vest in late season field hunting with the newer shadow grass pattern that really makes the dog blend in well and keeps him comfortable.

rms

Hey Paul,

Good to see your post. I thought you got stranded in an ice shack on Mille Lacs or something. Pretty darn cold your way I hear. Oh well, the training fields will be clear in no time

rms

You have to associate the vest with the excitement of hunting. Try putting it on the pooch for short training sessions in colder weather during the off-season. The more they wear the more they get used to it. My boy gets excited when I break it out, he knows he's going hunting.

"You got to kill it before you can grill it."

I have Gunner wear one. He doesn't mind it a bit. Guys at the boat ramp say chessie's don't need them,but I say it sure can't hurt.I started off a little at time in the yard ,house, in no time he doesn't care anymore.This year i am buying a new one though the old one was 3mm the new one is 5mm with handles to pull into the boat. I just wish I would have thought of these vest.

I start using it the first sign of ice. I think the are worth their weigh in gold once the ice hits.I worked him around the house in the yard pre hunting and didn't have a problem.This year i'm going to get a new one that has a handle built in for pulling them in the boat.Good idea to start using good luck.

Good luck pulling a chessie into a boat. Ever hear of a hernia!!!