Choosing the right size dog vest and everything else you need to know
Choosing the right size dog vest and everything else you need to know
What are Dog Vests?
Protective vests protect the chest and belly of hunting dogs from freezing, stabbing, or piercing from another animal during hunting. They do not interfere with the dog's movements, nor do they slow him down, since they are designed for convenience but also ease. A hunting dog can move freely as fast a speed as it would without a vest. Quality protective vests are not unnecessarily attached to the animal, do not mate it or irritate its skin. Their job is to protect him to the fullest, ensuring protection from the environment during hunting, as well as helping the hunter not lose the dog out of his sight, thanks to the bright colours. A safety vest is a must-have hunting accessory for anyone who holds their favourite hunting dog and its safety while hunting.
Types of protective vests for dogs
Depending on the particular hunting situation, there are a variety of protective vests for dogs. In general, each cardigan should include the following qualities: to provide visibility, ie. the hunter should not lose the dog from his sight, even when it is distant (so most protective vests are in bright yellow or bright orange), to protect and isolate from external influences. But depending on the terrain that will need a protective vest, they are mainly divided into two groups: protective vests for mountain terrain and protective vests for water terrain.
Protective vests for mountain terrain
Visibility and protection - these are the most important features that every, even the most ordinary, protective vest for a mountain hunting ground should possess. The most commonly offered mountain dog vests are made of a special fabric that is similar to nylon but is additionally secured for maximum protection. On its outer surface, stickers in bright orange or bright yellow are placed, which help the hunter to see the dog all the time, especially when it is distant from his sight. Some protective vests of this type are specifically designed to protect the dog from prickly thorns and stickers - their design is so arranged that they cover the neck and chest. Thus, the most vulnerable parts of the hunting dog are protected, even in dangerous terrain where the risk of injury is high.
Nylon protective vests are lighter than neoprene, which means a minimum of overheating and sweating - not to forget that the animal is in constant motion. The weight of the vest should not mislead - the fact that a protective vest is heavier and bulkier does not mean that it will protect more than the thinner one. It is even recommended that hunting activities in warm, non-hazardous terrain take a cardigan without a protective layer, but always in bright orange or yellow. That way, the dog's back will still be covered, but it will not sweat unnecessarily. However, it is not always possible for the hunter to judge what the terrain is and what can happen to his dog, so the best protection is the best option.
Waterproof vests
Dog protective vests tailored specifically for water terrain must have the following characteristics: impermeability, insulation and buoyancy. In this case, the neoprene is ideal because it offers all three security features in one. In situations where there are multiple rods and twigs, or generally things that can harm the hunting dog, healthier vests with additional protective layers are marketed. Their material is most often neoprene, offering the same protection as standard neoprene vests, but with the added function of sewn pockets. Each pocket contains a special foam that contributes to the higher floatability of the neoprene material. These special protective vests help the dog swim long distances without getting tired.
1. Protection. As the goal is to prevent external influences, we must first look at what protection the vest provides. The dog will be protected with at least four layers of fabric. And as for fabric, one of the best is the high quality DYNAFELT / DYNEEMA fabric, which is used by many civilian and military organizations to produce protective clothing. It is one of the best breathable fabrics, which is also an important condition.
The most the important protection zone is the rear, ie. stomach area - it should be well covered and protected with extra layers. In the neck area (front), the layers may be smaller to allow the dog to move its head freely.
Exterior coverage is also very important when it comes to the degree of protection that a protective vest provides.
* Exterior CORDURA 1100 DTEX - Cordura is a registered trademark of Invista, a company that manufactures sustainable fabrics. Cordura is a widely known brand of polyamide fabrics that are of proven quality and provide the highest durability thanks to the special fabrics used in the production of fabrics. The exterior of the Cordura fabrics is Teflon coated, which guarantees very high abrasion resistance and resistance to external influences. The inner part of the fabric has a polyurethane protective layer added. The CORDURA 1100 DTEX outer vest protects maximum durability and protection in the most aggressive environment. This type of protective vest has the so-called "Ripstop structure" is a special fabric that incorporates nylon fabric, but is further reinforced with other fibres to maximize resistance to tearing and abrasion. During weaving, the reinforcing threads intertwine at regular intervals, forming a cross structure. The intervals are usually 5 to 8 mm. Thin and lightweight Ripstop fabrics have a 3-dimensional structure that is formed by thicker threads woven into a thin fabric. In older models, the thick filaments are quite prominent, but modern weaving techniques show a new trend - weaving two or three fine filaments together at smaller intervals, which makes them harder to spot. The advantage of Ripstop fabrics is the favourable ratio of strength to weight. The fibres used are: cotton, polyester, polypropylene, and the nylon content are limited to where the cross-hatching of the threads is to be more resistant to tearing.
2. Comfort. To ensure the best possible comfort, it is necessary to check the available different sizes of the protective vest. However, the owner must first measure the dog. The consideration of the material is not to be ignored - the breathable fabrics allow the dog free movement, without excessive sweating. Some waistcoats have a control system and allow them to be adjusted according to the temperature outside. It is also important that the inner layer, which is in direct contact with the dog, be soft to avoid friction and slippage.
3. Practicality. It is best to buy a safety vest that can be used in all areas and different weather conditions. It is good to have a UV protective layer and the fabric to be waterproof - two waterproof layers would provide maximum waterproofing.
Size of protective vests for dogs
Besides protecting, an important feature of any safety vest is that it is comfortable and fits perfectly so the dog to be comfortable while hunting. And since there are different breeds of dogs, and even those of one breed cannot be the same - a prerequisite for the manufacture of any protective vest is that it allows adjustment to the size and shape of the body. Of course, vests are created for both small and medium or large dogs, but overall most types of protective vests can be tailored to fit the body. Each cardigan is offered in different sizes. The dog owner must first make appropriate measurements, evaluate what sizes are appropriate for his dog and whether the waistcoat can be adjusted to fit perfectly.
How is the fit done? Some vests have extra straps (like cross stitches) that can be easily tightened or loosened to fit the dog. Most often they are located around the place where the animal's spine falls. Another way to change the size of the vest, in some species, is to remove the excess neoprene - it is believed that this way the vest becomes a little wider and the dog has complete freedom of movement. Most types of protective vests for mountain terrain are elastic and have belts that allow adjusting to the size of the dog - this is the third option.
How to measure your dog?
It is a prerequisite to measure the dog before purchasing a protective vest. There are two ways to measure a dog - one is the standard measurement by a tailor, and the other by weight. One of the two ways must be used, with the first being considered more precise. One should not risk guessing which vest will fit the dog because the correct size and proper adjustment depend on the comfort of the animal while moving - something that is paramount.
When measuring a dog with a tailor's meter, the dog must be stretched as far as possible for greater accuracy. The tape should be applied accurately but not tightened to the position being measured. Another important tip is this: if the dog's measurement does not exactly match those specified for a particular model vest but are in between two sizes from the model - choose the larger of the two. It can be adjusted much more easily than the smaller one to fit exactly on the dog's body.
Wearing a safety vest
Very often, when a dog's vest is put on for the first time, it may try to slip out of it, scratch it, or start biting it because it is not used to wearing it. If the initial instructions are followed, these problems can be quickly resolved. To do this, the first time you put the vest on the dog, it should be in your yard or around the house and be distracted by any favourite game or activity that involves movement. This way the dog will be busy and forget that is wearing the vest. To be fully accustomed, this procedure must be repeated from time to time and gradually become a routine. This is called the "introduction phase", which is especially necessary not only for the animal to become accustomed to wearing a protective vest but also for correct sizing. The dog's owner should monitor it closely and anticipate where rubbing or cramping may occur, which would contribute to longer-term discomfort. Once the corrections and adjustments have been made, it must be monitored again if the dog is feeling well and moving freely. If everything looks good - it is already too used the vest and there will be no problems during hunting.
