Vests and Chest Protectors

I run two GSPs. one is 67 pds and one is 56 pds. In search of any recommendations for vests and/or chest protectors. Need something that protects the chest and under side, but also provides visibility to me and other possible hunters in the area. Anyone have any experience with the Filson chest protector?

I have used the cabela's rip stop vest and a Browning vest both of which rubbed the arm pits on both dogs raw after a couple of hours. Same thing happened with the orange neoprene vests from cabelas. I've tried Browning's chest protector but the areas around the straps rubs the dogs raw. The Browning visi vest fell into tatters after one use. The only vest that seems to have worked is the one by Rivers West, but that is for colder weather and is not an option in September, October and most of November.

These look decent, no personal experience though.
http://www.sylmardogwear.com/outdoors.htm#bg

LCS also
https://www.lcsupply.com/LCS-Bird-Do...ductinfo/BDAV/

Would the neoprene ones not be easy to just trim to fit?

I use Mendota skid plates, not sure how they'd fit a GSP

Quote:

---

Would the neoprene ones not be easy to just trim to fit?

---

Bingo, most vests will rub a dog raw in the arm pit area. Just trim to fit, tip do a little at a time then check as to not over do it.

I have a neoprene one from Cabelas for cold wet days, and for upland I have a cheap Remington one like this. ( It's high vis, and actually gets the job done pretty well.)

Attachment 36349

I use the Browning vest from Canadian Gundog supply and it works for my dog. However not every dog is built the same.

All my girls have vests. I really like my Avery one from Dakota Creek retrievers. They're a local retailer, so I didn't have to worry about any cross border shipping holding up the works. (I also have a Rivers West vest that I like, so I'm thinking our dogs may be built similarly).

I have the Cabelas rip stop for both weims...rem one was brutal.
I trimmed off the Cabelas one and added mole skin to the leg holes. Works great np chafing at all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by recurve40

I have the Cabelas rip stop for both weims...rem one was brutal.
I trimmed off the Cabelas one and added mole skin to the leg holes. Works great np chafing at all.

---

That's using simple common sense and ingenuity ! , making a product work for you and your dog instead of complaining about it.
It would be almost impossible for a company/any company to make vests /chest protectors to fit all sizes and breeds of dogs, just imagine the inventory they would have to have .

Yes, but they are 5mm neoprene and are not suitable for warmer conditions.

Moleskin is a great idea...except for the fact that I tried that.

Just a suggestion.... works well for my weims and saves them getting cut up.... ive tried 5 brands over 26 yrs of running weims..from cheap to expensive.. best option for the dogs and me since their deep chest is protected well.. when I hunted springers was different story.. best of luck.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by recurve40

Just a suggestion.... works well for my weims and saves them getting cut up.... ive tried 5 brands over 26 yrs of running weims..from cheap to expensive.. best option for the dogs and me since their deep chest is protected well.. when I hunted springers was different story.. best of luck.

---

For sure. I think most people I know have had to trim their vests to some degree to ensure it fits their dog perfectly. I wish it was that easy to get my clothes to fit me lol I have a tailor for my alterations haha

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by recurve40

Just a suggestion.... works well for my weims and saves them getting cut up.... ive tried 5 brands over 26 yrs of running weims..from cheap to expensive.. best option for the dogs and me since their deep chest is protected well.. when I hunted springers was different story.. best of luck.

---

I appreciate the suggestion and it is a good idea (one my wife had). It just didn't pan out. My dogs worked hard for me and it kills me to see them suffer in anyway for it. Just thought there may have been a vest out there I hadn't seen before that was engineered better then the ones I have tried.

I find most vests are fitted to lab shaped dogs with round chests and wide legs. The best fit I have found for my GWP and DD (deep chest with small waist) is the Rivers West. I have one in hunter orange and it fits great. Not as warm as a neoprene but provides a bit of warmth, protection and high visibility.

I tried the Red Head chest protector for my 58 pound Small Munsterlander from Bass Pro Shop. The 40-60 pound size was way too big and my wife took off the velcro, cut the straps and resewed the velcro back. Then while hunting near Cambridge it was all torn up by the Hawthorn bushes. I didn't mind as it saved the dog from serious injury I took it to a local seamstress to be repaired. It is fine now but expect it will torn all up again if I return to hunt in an area with Hawthorn bushes. I will try some of the suggestions mentioned above such as the Rivers West when this one is no longer repairable.