Dog life jacket!

[Benco]

Hi all

Well, just completed purchase of our first boat and have purchased 'human' lifejackets but I need to get one for our pooch. Does anyone have any advice/recommendations? He's a boxer of medium build weighing approx. 30 kilos.

Thanks in advance.

 

[petehitch]

If you put in a search on ebay there is a very good selection to cover all sizes of dog.

 

[niccapotamus]

30 kilos is quite heavy. issues will be lifting probably rather than staying afloat. we have an old lump of a dalmation and getting on and off the boat from the dingy is interesting

http://www.ruff-it.co.uk/

 

[davidpbo]

Make sure it is a good bright colour on top and has a decent size loop on the back. Whilst in a DOB situation at sea the buoyancy might be important, the increased visibility and grabability/hookability of the loop is the most used function for us. Our dog is a large Border/Paterdale and the loop is great for steadying him whilst he climbs on and lifting him off.

You may be better off buying in person somewhere so you can check fit/size.

We try and remember to transfer the lead (10mm Rope) from neck to loop when on jetty, in tender etc. so it functions as a lanyard instead of a potential noose. On the boat under way and stopped he is attached by either the buoyancy aid loop or car harness loop (If Hot) to the boat.

I think ours is a Plastimo.

 

[niccapotamus]

i emailed ruff-it before we bought ours and their reply is below as they have loads of styles. no connection with the company just using the product

Thank you very much for getting in touch. Without doubt the best 2 options are the Webmaster Harness (http://www.ruff-it.co.uk/categories/dog-harnesses-travel-gear/ruffwear-webmaster-dog-harness.html) or the K9 Float Coat (http://www.ruff-it.co.uk/categories/dog-life-jackets/ruffwear-k9-dog-float-coat.html).
Both have exceptional handles. The measurement needed when choosing the right size is your dog's girth - that is the circumference of the widest part of the rib cage. You can see the diagram below;


I hope that helps and please feel free to get in touch at any time.

 

[Concerto]

I sail with a 30kg labrador. First thing is to make sure they learn is not jump into the water.

She wears a lifejacket and is kept on a lead in the cockpit at all times. The lifejacket should have straps that are strong enough to support the whole body weight if lifted by the carrying handle. There are some lifejackets that have a mesh underbelly to make the lift more comfortable (seen at a boat jumble).

As I am marina based it is easy to walk aboard, but I am just fitting side gates in the lifelines to make it even easier as her collar has caught the lower lifeline and she nearly fell in the water. For high topsides you may need a box step to help getting on board.

Passing a rope through the carrying handle a fixing it to a halyard can help lift your dog in or out of the dinghy. The biggest problem is how to get them out of the water, then you will need a long line reaving hook. I have the 3m Robship Hook and Moor, http://www.rochemarine.co.uk/robship-hook-moor/, expensive but hope to never use for this purpose.

My lab loves being on board sailing and takes a lot of interest in other boats, buoys and sea birds. She could not work out what a seal was. As I sail singlehanded, she is also good company. Have fun sailing with your dog.

 

[ronsurf]

A tether is a good idea to keep him in the boat as well. You never know what mad idea dogs have.

Last week I watched the guys on the boat next door getting ready to leave for a spot of fishing. They'd just recently bought the boat and it was their first time out with the dog. He fired the engine up, the dog leapt out, swam across the creek waded through the mud and sat on the opposite bank.

Took quite a bit of cajoling to get him back. Then they had a big wet muddy dog on board!

 

[ash2020]

I used to use a Crewsaver on our Collie/Springer, very successfully so when it wore out I ordered another crewsaver. However, they've changed the design and there is now a much longer flap underneath which was just in the wrong place for his er- you know what! So we sent it back and got an Outward Hound. It's really good, very secure, fits well, very lightweight.
His life was saved once, a few years ago when we arrived back at the pontoon after dark in the dinghy and he decided to slip quietly into the water. He must've been in for a good 5 mins while we were unloading stuff, we both assumed he'd run off to the car. Because the pontoons were about 10" above the water, there's no way of getting out. He def. would have perished if it hadn't been for the lifejacket.
The only other thing to say is, sounds obvious but make sure if you use a safety line, it's attached to the lifejacket and not the collar, and that it's short enough not to let them go overboard.
Now my only worry is when I'm solo sailing with the dog that I might set the autohelm and fall overboard myself! Good luck.