Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

My dog is a 50 lb.( or so) lab and loves water and likes to swim. I have not had him in my canoe on water (yes). Before I take him onto a lake (he is 95% of the time very obedient thanks to his great trainer and biology), I want to make sure that he is safe if he jumps out or causes a spill.

All that aside, please give me some recommendations for dog pfds. I have read both good and bad reviews of the NRS dog pfd.

Thank you!

Ruffwear!
Thats what Casey has, its a great Dog PFD, adjustable, sized for your dog, go on the web page and check it out!
it will be a little more $$ than petoco or petsmart, but my rule of thumb, dont skimp of safety gear for you or your furry paddling buddy!
http://www.ruffwear.com/

see casey in his pfd to the left

Astral just came out with a dog PFD, dunno if anyone local has one you can try on your dog.

Shep

RUFFWEAR! nuff said. My aussie weighs 50lbs. floated several time
remmel to the ledge, he gets out swims around, gets back in the boat. Ruffwear is wellfitting and durable. OOO carries them in stock and have all sizes nearly all the time. Give them a call, I'm sure they can fix you and your buddy tight up.

Just a thought, you might check out some of the catalogs that cater to waterfowl hunters.

Thank you all, very much. You've been quite helpful.
JB

johned wrote:Just a thought, you might check out some of the catalogs that cater to waterfowl hunters.

Lol, as an avid duck hunter I can tell you, you would never live it down if you showed up with a dog in a life jacket. Only thing most duck dogs wear is a neoprene vest in very cold weather. Not normally an issue paddling.

My concern is that if I'm on a large lake and my normally well-behaved dog gets out of the canoe (and takes me with him), he will safely make it back to shore. For slow rivers, and small lakes, my lab can go for a good while.

fishhomer75 wrote:
Lol, as an avid duck hunter I can tell you, you would never live it down if you showed up with a dog in a life jacket. Only thing most duck dogs wear is a neoprene vest in very cold weather. Not normally an issue paddling.

Never mentioned a "life jacket", merely pointed him towards something like the Avery Floating Tuff Dog Parka. 5 mil neoprene vest (which in addition to being warm when it cold, is also slightly buoyant) with closed cell foam (also buoyant) sewn in. I've seen dogs just floating in these types of vests, so obviously they keep the dog at least neutrally buoyant, allowing them to expend less energy while swimming for shore.

As for "avid duck hunters" "not letting me live it down" for putting a working dog in something that protects them from stobs in flooded timber or cuts from sharp ice, causes them to use less energy per retrieve (buoyancy again), and keeps them warm; me and my 35 years of duck hunting will just tell them what they can kiss and go on about my business.

JB2012 - Just about anything will let a lab make it to shore as long as he will leave you. Just make sure it fits comfortably so that he doesn't try to keep getting out of it.

Lol, easy there big fella. I specifically mentioned that duck dogs wear neoprene vests. But I don't think that would work paddling in warm weather, labs are already very prone to over heating. I don't think a lab that is healthy and in shape needs any kind of floatation in warm relatively calm water. Your point about a lab not leaving it's owner is a ver good one. The two I have had certainly would not have. I think the answer is to get yourself back in the boat as quickly as possible and then either get the dog back in or paddle to shore with the dog following you and get him back in there. You might practice getting him back in in shallow water to see if doable without upending the whole thing again.