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assateague wrote:Does the extra flotation in it make them bulky, or mess them up a little when swimming?

Tailoring a Dog Vest

Getting an off-the-shelf vest that actually fits your dog correctly (snug everywhere, but not tight anywhere) would be a remarkable fluke. Even with a design like Cabela's wide Velcro fastener that affords an inch or two of adjustability zippers don't, the vest won't be fully functional without tailoring.

The drill is to buy the correct chest size and break out a marking pen, straight edge, scissors and a can of "neoprene cement," like Block Surf (not Aquaseal or Goop or any other substitute), and go to work.

With the vest on the dog, pinch out the excess material and mark both sides where the pinched material meets and the tip of the triangle the pinch creates.

Take the vest off the dog, and using the straightedge, draw lines from each "pinch" mark to the "tip" mark, which will create the triangular "dart" that needs removed with your scissors.

Having removed the darts of excess material, you're ready to close the gaps they created. This is where using neoprene cement, which melts the neoprene edges and essentially welds them together quickly enough that it's no strain to hold them together while it works pays off. Other types of adhesives will require stitching to hold the new seam edges together while they dry and perhaps even for support. I have never had an unstitched neoprene cement seam separate.

You'll also likely need to remove some material that will otherwise chaff Pup's arm pits and an opening around a male dog's penis. Don't worry about cutting beyond the bar tacking on a vest's stitched seams, as on a properly made vest the stitching is really just eyewash for buyers, rather than necessary.

May sound complicated, but it took me longer to type that than it would have to properly tailor a vest.

assateague wrote:Does the extra flotation in it make them bulky, or mess them up a little when swimming?

Bad17 wrote:Just don't get the cabelas one. That thing was a piece of junk. Some say zippers because they will last longer and some say zippers are bad because if you dog gets hung up he can't get out of the vest if it's zippered. I have the avery boat parka 5mm and it works just fine for me.

assateague wrote:And is 5mm overkill, or is it a good idea?

Rick wrote:

assateague wrote:And is 5mm overkill, or is it a good idea?

When my last Brittany was still working waterfowl, I had both a 3mm and a 5mm vest for him, and it seemed the the thicker one did more good. Got so I only put the thin one on him for camo effect in warmer weather when carrying folks who might freak over hunting ducks and geese over a white dog. My thought would be why not buy the vest that does the most good?

assateague wrote:Ron, I appreciate it, but I don't think it'd fit. He's nowhere near as stocky as a lab, and he's sort of "odd shaped". But like I said, I do appreciate the offer.

assateague wrote:Ok, that's 2-2. In my mind, I've ruled out the Dokken, because of the zipper, which isn't adjustable. For $19, I may try the Cabela's anyway. That's pretty cheap, and it's on clearance right now.


Ron, I appreciate it, but I don't think it'd fit. He's nowhere near as stocky as a lab, and he's sort of "odd shaped". But like I said, I do appreciate the offer.

assateague wrote:I know DAMN well that one for Moose wouldn't fit Dutch!

Flightstopper wrote:Don't over think this and fuck up, just buy Cabelas Armor flex and be done with it. I remember rich posted a pic of his and while the top was a little worn the Armor flex region looked new.