Our dogs are suckers for jumping in the water, especially if they want to cool down. And with Summer here and the hot weather in full swing, we'll be taking our four-legged family members further afield from home. Whether that's a trip to the beach, a walk around the local pond, or out on water-themed adventures, such as boat rides or paddleboarding.
Although dogs are renowned for being great swimmers, kitting them out in a life jacket when in or by the water for safety will give you peace of mind and help ensure no accidents can happen. But with most dog life jackets looking big and bulky, they don't seem the best solution for active dogs. Fortunately, Non-Stop Dogwear has come to the rescue with their Protector life jackets that are setting new standards to match what your pooch deserves.
Non-Stop Dogwear has teamed up with experts in dog anatomy, biomechanics and buoyancy to take the whole concept of dog life jackets one step further, says product developer Matthew Brown. The first thing you notice with the Protector life jacket is that the floatation elements are placed on the sides only – not over your dog’s back. This is for three key reasons: Buoyancy, freedom of movement and ventilation.
We've shared more information below but first, we put the Protector life jacket to the test with the lovely Lab, Bob.
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Testing the Protector Life Jacket
This innovative life jacket system has been thoroughly tested in open water, pools and water treadmills with several dogs. But we wanted to give it a go ourselves with our resident handsome boy, Apollobay Huckleberry - or Bob for short. The two-and-a-half-year-old black Labrador Retriever swims up to three times a week, making him a great candidate for putting the life jacket through its paces.
His lovely owner, Holly, said, "The life jacket was super lightweight but at the same time, all the material felt really tough and sturdy so I had no worries about it ripping with how big Bob is and his weight.
"I also found that it was really quick and easy to get on and the fact it was so lightweight meant that Bob didn't feel restricted or hate putting it on. It should also help to keep him from overheating when summer comes around.
"The bright colour and reflective stripes meant that he was super visible in the water, whether he was swimming in the sea or the river. I was also pleasantly surprised by how fast it dried too - helpful for both Bob and me!"
The experts were fans too: "I have worked as a canine physical and rehabilitation therapist for over 20 years. Of all vests I've seen, the Protector life jacket provides the best freedom of movement, has all necessary functions, and the panels are placed correctly", says author and canine physical and rehabilitation therapist Line Østerhagen.
We also loved that it had useful features including a solid handle for lifting dogs out of the water and leash attachment points on the back and side so you can adjust direction and resistance.
What makes this life jacket stand out from the rest?
Ventilation
During hot summer days, no dog wants to be wearing a thick vest - not only is it uncomfortable, but there is also a risk of overheating. In the Protector life jacket, there is ventilating mesh material over the dog's back that allows water to flow through and helps prevent your dog from getting too hot. Your loveable four-legged friend can stay happy, cool, and healthy.
Buoyancy
A key element in a life jacket, don't you think? But in their testing, Non-Stop Dogwear struggled to find a life jacket that provided our dogs with both buoyancy and stability in the water. It found that only the part of the life jacket below the surface will displace water and contribute to buoyancy. "That is why we have placed the flotation elements to the sides where they will have the biggest effect for aiding buoyancy and stability", says Ole Jørgen Thue Holthe, B.sc biotechnology and former national team athlete in sled and Nordic style.
Freedom of movement
Dog life jackets are often bulky and hard to move around with, especially on land. This is just one of the reasons why the brand spent two years developing the Protector life jacket to cater to our active pups. Unlike other life jackets, the panels are split into sections to allow your dog to turn without being restricted by the vest.
Already a bestseller, the Protector life jacket is available to shop now from Non-Stop Dogwear in sizes 2-7.