Dog Lifejacket advice

[Javelin]

We have recently acquired a large Saluki/lurcher cross and we were wondering if any of you have any tips for a good lifejacket / harness for him.

We've started down the route for dog passport as well so any gems in that regard would be welcome as well.

 

[Seajet]

My chum had a wonderful dog, Mylo was a Jack Terrier / Greyhound cross, like a scaled down but still projectile version of yours.

The great thing about the dog lifejacket was not so much as a float if things went wrong*, but the handle on top was invaluable for transfers between boat and tender, and securing the rapid little bu**er !

* On a less good note but I have to mention it, in the 1970's before dog lifejackets were available we had a Westie.

One day Dad was transferring him from inflatable to the the boat at the Folly, upriver from Cowes when Benjy - a big dog for a Westie, aged 6 - struggled and went into the Medina.

Dad jumped in after him, and both were swept down by the Spring tide, rescued by a boat downstream; Benjy was obviously stressed out and injured, and died shortly afterwards - that was 30 years ago but my parents still can't bear seeing Westies on TV and I who was not there find it difficult, he was my dog as a boy.

A dog lifejacket with the handle could probably have avoided this.

 

[chinita]

Sad story, Seajet. I bet the experience didn't do your old man much good either.

We have a Musto lifejacket for our JRT. She hates it. When we put it on her she will not move. Just stands there glaring at me like I had just drowned her litter. Still, that does not matter, it does the job.

Pet Passport is simple; but allow about six weeks for the process before you plan to go abroad. Ask at your Vets. Not all are licensed (?) to issue one. I think they need some sort of DEFRA Accreditation (natch!).

 

[Kelpie]

One of our dogs is a lurcher type whippet cross... have never found a LJ to fit him because he is such a weird shape. Very deep in the chest. Think I might have to ask the mother-in-law to knock something up.
When he went overboard to chase a dolphin, I was able to hook him by the collar to bring him aboard, but then he is fairly small.

 

[Biggles Wader]

You cant take the dog abroad or rather bring it back on your boat even with a pet passport.Pets have to arrive on an official carrier via an authorised port.Not all ferry routes are "authorised" and no private boat is legal for pet imports.

 

[chinita]

Good point. Did not mention it as assumed the OP would be aware. However, old Army saying 'Assumption is the Mother of All **** Ups'.

 

[Robert Wilson]

Good point. Did not mention it as assumed the OP would be aware. However, old Army saying 'Assumption is the Mother of All **** Ups'.

ASSUME = making an "ASS" out of "U" and "ME".

As for the OP, I have a l/j for my 30kg balck lab. He hates it, and I couldn't even manage to lift him in it (in or out of the water). I take the view that he is a lot more agile than I am, and can swim around longer than I could in cold water so somehow I'd get him back into the dinghy then boat IF the worst happened.

One l/j for dog hanging in shore-based cupboard - Offers??

 

[Quandary]

Our collie/springer has been sailing with us for ten years now, he weighs 20kg. and always wears his lifejacket (Baltic, we bought it when he was a pup and he had to grow in to it and it has lasted well, probably see him out?) if we are under way in the boat or the dinghy. He is allowed to take it off if the boat is stationery. He is a good swimmer and can get aboard using the stern platform if the ladder is down in the water. The main purpose of the lifejacket is the grab handle on the top and for visibility. Under way he stays on deck and despite considerable excitement charging round and round the deck when dolphins join us he has only gone overboard from the boat once (we have two guardwires but no netting). On the occasion he did go in accidentally, he had let his tennis ball roll off the deck and just dived in after it, he was recovered using the boat hook as he had not been taught to climb aboard via the ladder at that stage. He will dive in if permitted when in the dinghy but is then encouraged to swim ashore or back to the boat unless we are wet already. Most dogs are a lot more surefooted than humans.

 

[SamanthaTabs]

Our JRT has a perfectly well fitting, well made life jacket supplied by a company called Ruff Wear. From recollection it cost just about £40. He's never minded wearing it on the odd occasion we deem it necessary, that said he's been on the boat from 9 months old.

 

[Javelin]

thx people - will look into Baltic and Ruff Wear - failing that I'll dig my sailmakers sewing machine out and modify a buoyancy aid.

 

[onesea]

We have recently acquired a large Saluki/lurcher cross and we were wondering if any of you have any tips
View attachment 41066

Have you read Walking Ollie?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-Ollie-Stephen-Foster/dp/1743115520

Its about ""Ollie, a fearful, stubborn saluki-greyhound mix"

Possibly a worth whilst read

As for lifejackets the handle is worth whilst. Depending on how it swims depends on how much buoyancy you want, I had working Cockers they where natural water dogs so all I cared about was the handle and there comfort. If the dog cannot swim I would worry allot more.

 

[SamanthaTabs]

You cant take the dog abroad or rather bring it back on your boat even with a pet passport.Pets have to arrive on an official carrier via an authorised port.Not all ferry routes are "authorised" and no private boat is legal for pet imports.

That's misinformed information, no issues with taking dogs out of the UK on a private vessel. If you wish to bring a pet back into the UK for example then, yes, has to be with an approved carrier and you have to visit a vet for specific treatment beforehand. Timing can be an issue.. Ferries, for the majority, will not accept a pet as a "foot passenger" but will do so if in an approved carrier inside of a vehicle. Believe me, been there, done that!

Anyhow once you're away it becomes easier, some places (ie Malta) require vet treatment administered and stamped in book before entry. Time allowance is, from experience, no less than 3 days before entry so again not an issue to book the vet appointment.

Don't be discouraged, happy sailing

 

[TeamSpirit]

Have Crewsaver jackets for my retrievers, they fit reasonably well and offer some buoyancy to support their weight (about 40kgs), but they get pretty hot though in summer. They always wear harnesses just the simple webbing ones which gives me a handle to assist them aboard when needed and provide a clip for a life line, if it gets rough they stay below or if we have planned well and predicted the weather they stay at home.

 

[davidpbo]

We have recently acquired a large Saluki/lurcher cross and we were wondering if any of you have any tips for a good lifejacket / harness for him.

We've started down the route for dog passport as well so any gems in that regard would be welcome as well.

View attachment 41066

Handsome animal.

Monty puts up with wearing the bouyancy aid (Plastimo, similar to the baltic) but will not tolerate the waxed cotton cape I occasionally try and protect him with in really foul weather when walking.

Can I also put out a plea to people to harness or restrain dogs in the car. Many years ago my parents had a bad head on collision at speed, the other driver coming down a hill, had a heart attack and died and drove straight into them. When they were being extricated from the wreck the fireman asked about a dog in the foot well of parent's car. They did not have a dog, it must have been on the rear parcel shelf and come through the windscreens.

 

[Biggles Wader]

That's misinformed information, no issues with taking dogs out of the UK on a private vessel. If you wish to bring a pet back into the UK for example then, yes, has to be with an approved carrier and you have to visit a vet for specific treatment beforehand. Timing can be an issue.. Ferries, for the majority, will not accept a pet as a "foot passenger" but will do so if in an approved carrier inside of a vehicle. Believe me, been there, done that!

Anyhow once you're away it becomes easier, some places (ie Malta) require vet treatment administered and stamped in book before entry. Time allowance is, from experience, no less than 3 days before entry so again not an issue to book the vet appointment.

Don't be discouraged, happy sailing

I thought thats what I said.Apologies if I wasnt clear.

 

[the_branflake]

We also use a Baltic life jacket for our Lab. She can swim very well but the life jacket acts more as a harness so that we can pull her out.

 

[tommydortez]

anyone had any experience with a french bulldog and a lifejacket? he's a right little lump and im worried i wont be able to find anything suitable? does anyone make bespoke doggy lifejackets?

 

[Duet Hurley22]

I have a whippet/greyhound/saluki who wears a Crewsaver. She wears a size down what they recommend according to weight so I'd definitely recommend a try on before purchase if you can.

If it's really hot I sometimes just use her harness and clip her on. Do you have jack lines?

One of these is good for chillier evenings too.... http://www.wildandstriped.com/shop/breton-striped-dog-jumper/
Very nautical.