Dog life jackets

Dog life jackets: good idea or useless gadget? As for me, my mind was made up a long time ago, since my dog ​​has been wearing a life jacket for four years. When I do water activities like canoeing , surfing , stand-up paddleboarding , or boating , Musher puts on her life jacket. If she were to fall into the water unexpectedly, she could panic, and tragedy could strike. The life jacket keeps her afloat and helps her stabilize herself in the correct position to naturally start swimming.

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.

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.

The Ruffwear K9 Float Coat slips on over the neck and clips in place with two fasteners under the belly. The Trixie life jacket goes over the dog's back; then, you attach the vest with Velcro under the dog's belly and clip two straps. You will also need to attach the float at the dog's neck with Velcro and clip one strap.

• Le Ruffwear life vest is easier and quicker to put on.

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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.

The Ruffwear K9 Float Coat life jacket stays put no matter how intense the play session. The straps are integrated into the jacket so they can't rub directly against the dog. They aren't positioned over a strip of fabric.

If you need to tighten the harness as much as possible, the straps won't drag under the dog; there's a clever little system for securing the straps with Velcro on the Ruffwear harness . The Trixie harness uses a buckle system to also prevent the straps from bothering the dog. The system is less simple, but just as effective. The straps won't slip in the water: the harnesses won't loosen.

• No real differences here other than a system that has my side preference Ruffwear.

The finishes of the vest

There are no seams inside the harness, so there's no chafing that could injure the animal. The vests are very lightweight, even when wet. Both vests have reflective strips on the sides. Inside the Ruffwear vest , there's a label where you can write the dog's name and your phone number, just in case… Trixie doesn't offer anything comparable.

The handle on the back of the vest

On the back of both vests, there's a handle that allows you to retrieve your dog and pull them out of the water. I used the vest during an intensive water work training session with Musher. The handle on the Ruffwear vest allowed me to pull him back onto the boat during the various exercises. The handle is very sturdy; I wasn't afraid to pull on it to get Musher back in. However, I didn't dare do it with the handle on the Trixie vest, which seems much more fragile…

The attachment loop for the lanyard

Below the Ruffwear 's handle , there's a hook for attaching a leash, so your dog can't wander too far. The Trixie vest also has a loop at the front. Your dog won't pull on the leash as much as if he were on the ground, so the loop should hold up. I bought a floating leash, and in situations I find dangerous, it lets me be sure Musher doesn't stray 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.

The Ruffwear dog life jacket is reinforced with buoyancy foam throughout, even under the dog's belly. This ensures good buoyancy and gives the dog a good swimming position. If the life jacket is properly fitted, it doesn't restrict 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…

Despite its slightly high price, the Ruffwear K9 Float Coat is truly essential for your dog. It keeps him safe and gives him confidence. The quality is excellent. The Trixie vest has a few weaknesses, but it still provides good protection for your pet. I find its finishing touches lacking, but it fulfills its main purpose! Its lower price explains the differences, but for a less active dog than Musher, it will be perfectly suitable.

Finally: They do, of course, come in different sizes. My Labrador wears a size M in both brands. The Ruffwear is available in yellow, red, or light blue, and the Trixie in red. Do they get dirty easily? I have to admit, yes! Musher loves to roll in the grass, the sand, the dirt… especially when she gets out of the water. So the vests quickly changed color, but a quick wash in the washing machine and they're good as new. Note that the Ruffwear covers less of the dog's back than the longer Trixie.

Note: I've been using my Ruffwear vest for 3 years now ; it hasn't budged. And yet, between the sea, rivers, and lakes, it's seen some great outings with Musher, who's afraid of nothing!

One last tip? When I go paddleboarding in the winter with my dog , Musher wears a neoprene life jacket. It helps with her buoyancy, but more importantly, it protects her a bit from the cold. To find out about the equipment we use, you can read or reread our article dedicated to this activity to do with your dog.

Want to go canoeing, paddleboarding, or pedal boating with your dog? Find all the dog-friendly activities in the " Activities to Do with Your Dog" section of the website. And if you know of any equipment rental places that welcome our furry friends, share your "Woofy" address on the site. This will allow other friends to try the activity near them or during their holidays!