Use a dog vest or not

[ChrisT]

Hey guys, I was just wondering I am thinking about picking up a neoprene vest for my chocolate for duck hunting. What is your experience is it worth it?

[Ufatz]

Just keep in mind they get HOT! Personally I see no need for them but it DOES make us humans feel better about the whole thing. Try to keep 'em rubbed down and dry if it is really cold otherwise let 'em have fun.

Now we will hear from those of opposite opinion. LOL.

PS Oh! I have a couple laying around here someplace. My dogs have always thought they were for sissies!

[BoxMN]

I used to be in the "they are for sissies" camp. Now I look at it like this - early season, no need. When it gets cold, and I mean diver hunting cold, it helps keep them warmer, gives them some added buoyancy, and really doesn't seem to hurt. Can they do it without? Of course. Can I hunt without a hat? Of course. Do I? no... it is more comfortable to stay warm

[walleye18]

I use a vest like was mentioned by BoxMn.

2 things that one needs to keep in mind when using a vest on a dog:

1. It is not by any stretch mean that your dog will not get cold when it has one on. I had my chocolate get hypothermia 2 times on me in the last 6 years. Totally my fault. Did not let him rest enough between retrieves. Mallards were coming in fast/furious last year. had 18 fatties in the water with rim ice in Nov - in 15 minutes. Almost lost him.

2. Make sure the vest fits well or your dog will wear the skin/hair off and get raw from the vest. What i do with mine is let them get to the blinds with it off and when the hunt begins, we get the vest on. This reduces the time and potential discomfort during the week or weeks long hunt.

[Ray Esboldt]

I have a very small lab - 47 pounds soaking wet. So, I use it as soon as the water temp (and air temp) get south of 50. One thing that is included on some of the new vests that I think is one of the great innovations of all time is the grab handle. If you hunt deeper water and are minus a boarding ladder, it sure helps in getting the dog back on board.

[Glock]

I use mine when the water temp is around freezing. Size and cut the vest so it's snug like mentioned previously. Then have the, wear it before using in tne field. You will not know if its chaffing till too late.

[tybo]

I have two english setters and don't use them at anytime of year.

[Todd Caswell]

I have two english setters and don't use them at anytime of year.

Just guessing but I would bet your setters aren't in the water at the end of Nov. picking up ducks.. I have never used one in the field but have used them late season water hunting and they do help retain body temp, just put your hand in under the vest and you will know they work..

[Guest Kyle]

The vest is a must for my golden. When hunting in Nodak he hops on some floating bog, which usually ends up sinking down a foot. At that point he's pretty much in chest deep water for the duration of the hunt. Plus, my dog usually rides in my hunting truck with me, so the vest helps keep him dry and actually pretty clean.

[Todd Caswell]

And believe it or not our current FT bred labs don't have the under coat that there earlier generations did, they get wet shake one time and there dry, nice for training in the summer but there pretty thin now days for handling tough conditions during the hunting season...

[Ufatz]

Just a quick thought: some of the vests now have a "chest protector" built in to them and I would sure look for that feature on a vest if I were shopping. Our dogs can really hurt themselves plunging into thick stuff without a care. I know of one old pal who lost his dog to a long sharp punji stick type branch

. Sad.

I was not being serious of course about the "sissy" aspect of them. But keep in mind people have been hunting with dogs for a long time without them. But then....we used to shoot muzzle loading ten gauge doubles too!

And again: if using them in warm weather keep in mind they can push a dogs body temp up pretty fast if they are the tight fitting neoprene vests.

And YES.....the lifting handles on newer vests a GREAT feature.

Okay......go get 'em and have fun. It's ALL good!!