greenshank1 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 Hi I was wondering how many of you guys use the neoprene dog coats on your dogs when your fowling on the shore ? If you have which one would you recommend ? My lab never shows any sign of suffering from the cold but haven't up to now have not spent much time waiting on the shore and I am just wondering about getting her one for this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strangford wildfowler Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 Hi I was wondering how many of you guys use the neoprene dog coats on your dogs when your fowling on the shore ? If you have which one would you recommend ? My lab never shows any sign of suffering from the cold but haven't up to now have not spent much time waiting on the shore and I am just wondering about getting her one for this season. Personally I don't like them, just for safety reasons for the dog in case it get caught in an underwater snag of some description especially if I'm shooting an estuary where there wood be sunken old tree branches. Just what I think of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E.w. Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 Never used them, I use labs but have seen several spaniels who have them. My dogs spend a lot of time on the foreshore and don't show signs they need them but if they did I buy one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler12 Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 I use one on my lab, usually from November onwards. I have no doubt that he benefits from having it. As do I, as it breaks up his bright yellow silhouette a little! Seriously though, a few dips in the flow without it on a -8 degree morning flight and he's shivering, the jacket keeps him warm, and it helps with buoyancy too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 There can be more danger from overheating especially early season. Some dogs need them some don't, I had one on the GWP but the Lab is waterproof and it takes ages to get near his skin if you need to apply medication having the correct double coat. In my opinion dogs don't shiver with excitement they shiver with cold and some dogs do die of cold on the marsh, mine will often go to sleep on a slow evening flight in a puddle mid winter but at this time of year I can do little with him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenshank1 Posted July 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 Thanks for all the replays. Reckon I will just play it by ear and see how we get on. She is in the sea everyday year round so is pretty hardy . Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aister Posted July 15, 2014 Report Share Posted July 15, 2014 I put one on Max on the very coldest days, and as was said before, it helps a lot with buoyancy. I think the one I have is made by doken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 (edited) I have one for my cocker as he has no self preservation on entering the water, bought the Jack Pyke on as it has cordura chest protection to help if anything hits him in the chest like sticks or ice. Also has buoyancy aids and keeps him warm when sat wet in snow. I don't put it on him in warm weather only cold. Just have to watch him more, stop him leaping into water. Think there good for warming your dog after being out if not worn like lunch time on game shoots or traveling back home if shivering. Figgy Edited July 16, 2014 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 The old man bought one for the spaniel. Tbh I was amazed how dry the dog was underneath it after an outing! I'll put it on the lab if it's going spare and it's cold outside. Will probably buy another at some point. Early season you don't really need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fal Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 I will be getting one for mine, he's quite lean so I think he will need it, but I will see how he goes on a cold day forst before getting one. My friend has one for his spaniel, we forgot it one day and after a dip the poor dog was shivering so much we had to walk him around to warm him up, not ideal I think you'll agree. With it on, he is toasty and sits still and is fine, they do help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperGoose75 Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 I suppose it is no Coincidence that you started a thread about neoprene dog coats after I posted a photo of my Dog with one on.So here is my tuppence worth. As you will have no doubt noticed my dog is a CBR' The hardiest of all Water dogs and equipped to withstand the harshest of Conditions. That photo was the 1st time he had it on and it was a trial run to see what he made of it' and i have to say he made a right Fuss about it and did not seem to like it at all. My Dog has never shown any signs of The cold affecting him' However he is getting on and was involved in a serious RTA a few yrs back and no doubt Arthritis will sett in at some stage and that was my thinking When i purchased One for Him' in a sense to try and prevent the early onset of arthritis. A hardy breed or not' a dog is made of flesh and bones just like a human and long days on the shore or estuary will sooner or later have an effect. An example..catch the tide a 4 0 clock on a January morning to get to your chosen destination' Start shooting a 1st light and your dog makes a couple of retrieves early on and then a big possibility of a long inactive period' and then hopefully he will be in an out at different stages throughout the the day. getting wet'sitting idle,getting wet,,sitting idle and so on. It is advised that the Fowler himself dress in layers for a day on the Shore' same thing for a dog.You can always take off or put on whenever necessary. I think it also depends on Location' I live on a coast that gets the blunt of the Weather from the north and the waters are generally very cold no matter what the time of year. If truth be told' i only ever had the coat on him on a handful of occasions' and he certainly has no need for it when just Flighting at Dawn and Dusk and will only ever have it on if he is to spend a day on the shore/estuary in very cold weather. I would disagree with Young strangford and be more inclined to agree with Figgy in the sense that a good jacket will protect the dogs Chest from unseen obstacles just below the water. However strangfords Comment does bring up the need to mention proper Fit. A loose and untidy fit will no Doubt have a greater risk of getting snagged' whereas a good Snug fit fit will eliminate the chances of getting snagged. Some think no more of there dog than just another piece of Kit, but Im sure most Fowlers think more of there Dog and will want to prolong their working life' longevity if you wish. Think of the Trend nowadays with dog owners in most towns and cities in the Winter ' where you will see the little Townie dogs walking proudly with there little snazzy Dog Jackets along side there owners.' and them probably never had there well manicured little paws in Cold water.Then think of your Loyal Buddy leaping in and out of Freezing water to retrieve shot fowl for you and never a whimper. So surely he/she is deserving of a little extra padding when conditions call for it. My Dogs jacket is by Avery by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 I hear you on this supergoose, if the dog is cold it will shiver I see a slight preference to run around or jump creeks after a long hard day with the lab in winter but I have never seen him shiver. Both the CBR and Lab have a hefty bit of Newfie in their makeup but today we have labs with skinny necks and single coats and dogs that live in the house and get all the waterproofing oils washed out with shampoo , special respect should be given these animals. Just like people walking around in the cold will not warm you up very well once shivering sets in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry P Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 I'm all for my lab wearing his vest, its not just about the here and now, but thinking of his health when he is older and wear and tear start to kick in. My current dog has always wore a vest in the later colder months of the season, jumping in and out of freezing seas then sitting on cold wet mud getting blasted by cold winds really cranks up the wind chill factor, They are incredibly hardy animals but nothing in impervious to cold and any little help that can be afforded to ease the discomfort they might start to feel should be considered. I also give my dog cod liver oil a couple of times a week to help joints for later life. Sadly I have reached the age where I now take it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 (edited) Get the dog a coat and try her, you don't have to put it on her all the time but to have it is better than not if needed. Figgy Edited July 16, 2014 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenshank1 Posted July 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 Thanks again everyone. Aye super goose 75 it was your pic of your CBR in his coat that got me thinking. My lab has an excellent double coat but like you say , you like to look after them and although she is in and out the sea most days , year round it's normally part of a walk not sitting for any length of time after like she will be this winter. I'll put up a couple of pics of her so you can see the type she is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenshank1 Posted July 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 This is my lab who loves the water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aister Posted July 16, 2014 Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 Very handsome chap, top photo is a cracker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenshank1 Posted July 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2014 Very handsome chap, top photo is a cracker Thanks aister That's her marking rabbits in my log pile. She is just 3 past a few weeks ago . Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperGoose75 Posted July 17, 2014 Report Share Posted July 17, 2014 She is a nice looking Animal with a nice Shiny Coat. A bit of advice on Sizes and fit' i think different Brands will have slightly different Sizes' like a medium in one brand might be slightly different in another. When I was first after one a Kind' Fowler (I think he is a member on here) sent me one he no longer had any use for' but it Didt not fit my Chessie as it was two small and it was an XL. I sent it back across the Irish sea to another fellow who thought he could make use of it for his goldie. i was lucky enough to be able to take my dog with me to try one on and I got one that fitted him perfect and it was an XL also. There is a Guide to measure your Dog' If you go to tidelines website the instructions for doing so should be there. There also used to be an ad in the sporting mags for neoprene coats made to measure and for any type of dog' I dont recall the company name though' a quick web search might bring you something. best of luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted July 18, 2014 Report Share Posted July 18, 2014 My spaniel shivers in a pigeon hide in summer never mind winter on the foreshore, but that is because she always wants to be retrieving or hunting. I now prefer to use a bag and a cammo cover to keep her warm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted July 20, 2014 Report Share Posted July 20, 2014 (edited) At least your doing something to keep her warm Henry d. I have to look after mine even more than normal,my wife and daughter have taken a right shine to him and if after a days hard beating or fowling his nicks from burrs and such look sore there at me straight away. They forget he's a working dog. Figgy Edited July 21, 2014 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diabolo Posted July 21, 2014 Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 I have them for my Springers for severe conditions out on the marsh, only put them on once you've settled in and take them off for the trip back to avoid overheating. Another great advantage of using one on the mutt is that when your fingers get REALLY cold stick them inside the dog's jacket (while its wearing it!) and that warms them up luvverly! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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