By Natasha Nowakowski
May 1, 2004
My 3-year old Border Collie, River, sinks like a stone. He'll try to swim, but can barely keep his head out of the
water in a tranquil lake, let alone in a swift moving river. So, a canine PFD is a must for him. But, even dogs
who stroke like a greyhound running need a little protection when the water gets rough. To find out who the top
dawgs are in the canine PFD market, River and I tested three high-end, full-length PFDs. We checked them for fit,
ease of adjusting, and buoyancy, while making an excursion to the Pacific.
Upside: Great fit and easy to put on and adjust.
Downside: No complaints from River
Rating:^^^^^ (5 out of 5 peaks)
Ideal User: Any pooch accompanying you on the lake, river or ocean
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RuffWear |
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Manufactured by a dog-specialty company, Ruffwear's K-9 float was thoughtfully designed, and was a clear
favorite with River. The ergonomic cut fit him like a glove. Read - no bulkiness. The jacket's variable
thickness with high buoyancy flotation placed low on the body kept River afloat without restricting his
movements. Owners will love it since it's really easy to put on and adjust.
The jacket features two easily adjustable buckles under the torso, plus a velcro strap and buckle around the neck.
Made with 1680-denier ballistic nylon, it's tough enough to resist encounters with rocks, branches and whatnot.
Other features include an attachment handle, hidden D-ring, and high-luminescence reflective trim on the sides.
Available in yellow/black, red/black, and blue/black and costs $49.95 for xxsmall to small and $69.95 for medium to
x-large sizes.
www.ruffwear.com
Upside: Handy zipper pocket on back of lifejacket
Downside: A bit stiff and bulky
Rating:^^^^ (4 out of 5 peaks)
Ideal User: Any pooch accompanying you on the lake, river or ocean
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NRS |
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NRS's sturdy Canine Flotation Device is designed to do exactly what it's suppose to do - keep your dog afloat.
High buoyancy flotation is uniformly placed throughout the jacket. Great when your pooch gets thrown out of the
raft, but makes for a somewhat stiff and bulky jacket. It did a nice job of keeping River's head out of the water.
Made with 1000-denier Cordura shell, the jacket features two wide and soft under-straps and a buckle around the neck.
It also has a grab loop, leash ring, and high-luminescence reflective strips placed on top. A large zippered pocket makes
a handy place to keep dog treats.
Available in red/black from x-small to x-large sizes.
MSRP:$40
www.nrscatalog.com
Upside: Wraparound float panel eliminates binding points on dog's underside
Downside: Takes practice getting on your dog
Rating:^^^^ (4 out of 5 peaks)
Ideal User: Any pooch accompanying you on the lake, river or ocean
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Lotus |
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Pooches that fuss with buckles on their stomachs will appreciate Lotus Designs' Critter. Its padded wraparound
panel eliminates binding points on your dog's underside. As a bonus, the wraparound will also help keep your
canine warm in cold water - a real plus if you have a skinny dog like River. The jacket's ample flotation
let River swim comfortably. The only drawback is it can be tricky to put on.
The Critter has a two-buckle system for the body (located on the side) and a single buckle for the neck with a
nonbonding piece to prevent slippage. As with others, it features a grab loop, D-ring, and high-luminescence
reflective strips.
Available in tangerine or pop orange from x-small to x-large.
MSRP: $65
www.lotusdesigns.com
— Reviewed & Written by Natasha Nowakowski, WetDawg.com Staff
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