Dog life jackets
The life jacket for dogs: good idea or useless gadget? As far as I am concerned, my choice has been made for a long time since my dog has been wearing a life jacket for 4 years. When I practice nautical activities such as canoeing , surf, Stand up paddle, boat trip…Musher puts on his life jacket. If she falls into the water by surprise, she could panic and the drama could happen. The vest keeps her on the surface and helps stabilize her in the right position to start swimming naturally.
The vest will also be a good lifeguard if your dog is afraid to jump into the water. A little help will allow him to gain self-confidence to discover the joys of swimming! Young puppies or older dogs also appreciate this help!!
I have tested two different dog life jackets for you:
- le Ruffwear K9 Float Coat - YELLOW
- the Trixie lifejacket – red
Here is my detailed comparison: what is the best equipment for my dog? How to choose the material? what are the strengths and weaknesses of each life jacket. At the end of the article I will tell you about other vests and other materials.
An important detail to remember above all: Musher is a dynamic female dog who loves water. When we go swimming, she doesn't pretend to have fun.
Musher is a dog I do water work with. We both do rescues. She is a very good swimmer capable of swimming more than 20 minutes in a row and yet I bought her a life jacket for dogs.
Indeed, the vest is an essential safety tool. It allows her to stay longer in the water because she tires less quickly. It secures the dog if the conditions are bad: waves, wind, current,…
Installation of the vest and attachment
The two dog life jackets adjust perfectly to the morphology of each dog thanks to the adjustments under the belly and at the level of the neck.
Le Ruffwear K9 Float Coat slips on through the collar and clips with two fasteners under the belly. The Trixie lifejacket is placed on the dog's back, then you have to scratch the vest under the dog's belly and clip two straps. You will also need to scratch the float located at the dog's neck and clip a strap.
- Le Ruffwear life vest is easier and quicker to put on.
The fixing system
On the two dog life jackets, the straps are not in contact with the animal's belly, there is a strip of fabric that protects the belly from possible friction. On the Trixie lifejacket, the strip of fabric under Musher's belly often came off, leaving the straps rubbing on his belly… The fabric then hangs down under the dog's belly. The scratches do not hold the harness very well, but it remains fixed to the dog thanks to the 2 straps.
Life jacket Ruffwear K9 Float Coat does not move regardless of the intensity of the play session. The straps are integrated into the vest so they cannot rub directly on the dog. They are not positioned above a strip of fabric.
If you have to tighten the harness as much as possible, the straps will not drag under the dog; there is a clever little system for rolling up the straps with Velcro on the Ruffwear. For the Trixie there is a buckle system to also prevent the straps from getting in the way of the dog. The system is less simple, but just as effective. The straps do not slip in the water: the harnesses do not relax.
- No real differences here other than a system that has my side preference Ruffwear.
The finishes, handle and attachment loop
The finishes of the vest
There is no seam inside the harness so no rubbing that could hurt the animal. The vests are very light even when soaked. On the sides of both vests there are reflective strips. Inside the vest Ruffwear, there is a label in which you can write the name of the dog and your telephone number in case… Nothing equivalent at Trixie.
The handle on the back of the vest
On the back of both vests there is a handle that will allow you to retrieve your dog to hoist him out of the water. I used the vest during intensive water work training with Musher. The vest handle Ruffwear allows me to get back on board the boat during the various exercises. The handle is very solid, I had no fear in pulling on it to recover Musher. On the other hand, I didn't dare to do it with the handle of the Trixie vest which really seems more fragile...
The attachment loop for the lanyard
Below the handle Ruffwear, there is a hook that allows you to attach a lanyard so your dog won't be able to go far. On the Trixie there is also a loop on the front of the vest. Your dog will not pull on the leash as much as if he were on the ground, the buckle should resist… I bought a floating leash and in situations that I find dangerous, it allows me to be sure that Musher does not s don't go too far from me.
A safety reminder is in order here: do not attach your dog to a lanyard when you are sailing on a paddle, a canoe, a pedal boat... if your dog falls, there is current, and the leash remains attached to a rock or a tree, it can be very dangerous for him. He risks strangulation.
- I find the dog life jacket from Ruffwear much more solid.
Dog position and buoyancy
Le Ruffwear dog life jacket is reinforced with floating foam everywhere even under the dog's belly. This gives him good buoyancy and gives him a good position to swim in the water. If the vest is well fitted, it does not interfere with the dog's movements in the water at all.
On the equipment from Trixie, the floating foam is only positioned on the back part of the dog. Having tested it on several dogs, the swimming position is good and the dogs feel very comfortable.
- No difference between the two equipment on the swimming position.
Please note, these are in no way walking harnesses. On land, your dog will not be very comfortable. They are made for swimming not at all for walking! During the first test, I wondered how Musher would react… After a few seconds, she had forgotten her equipment and was swimming like a fish in water. Some dogs tend to drink a lot of water when they swim... The vest has a reinforcement under the dog's neck which keeps his head well out of the water. On the Trixie vest there is an additional float under the dog's neck. However, I am not convinced of the usefulness of this little extra piece…
En conclusion
Despite its somewhat expensive price, the Float Coat K9 vest from Ruffwear is really an essential for his dog. It secures him and gives him self-confidence. The quality is there. The Trixie vest has some weaknesses, but still secures your pet well. I blame him for his lack of finish, but his main objective is fulfilled! Its lower price explains the differences, but for a dog less active than Musher, it will be fine.
To finish : They are of course available in different sizes. My Labrador wears size M in both brands. The Ruffwear is available in yellow, red or light blue and the Trixie in red. Messy? I admit yes! Musher loves to roll in the grass, in the sand, in the dirt… when she comes out of the water. So the vests quickly changed color, but a quick spin in the machine and it's off again. Note that the Ruffwear covers less of the dog's back than the longer Trixie.
NB: I've been using my Ruffwear vest; he did not move. And yet between sea, river and lake, he made some great outings with Musher who is not afraid of anything!
Any last advice? When I do paddle in winter with my dog, Musher is equipped with a neoprene vest. It also helps with its buoyancy, but above all it protects it a little from the cold. To discover the equipment we use, you can read or reread our article dedicated to this activity to do with your dog.
Want to canoe with your dog, paddle with your dog or even pedalo? Find all the dog-friendly activities in the section activity to do with your dog of the site. Moreover, if you know equipment rental companies who gladly accept our doggies: share your Address Too W'ouf on the site. This will allow other friends to test the activity near their home or during their holidays!