Outward Hound Granby RipStop Dog Life Jacket

I am going to attempt Dock Diving with my Bloodhound and the first step is swimming lessons. Since this breed is NOT built for swimming, I bought her a life jacket. Outward Hound is usually a good brand, but not this time!!! My dog has now been to 5 swim classes (each about 15 minutes in water time) conducted in a pool - no lake or river where the jacket could get caught on something. At the 2nd class, the front of the jacket started coming apart. When putting it on her for her 5th lesson, I saw the part going under her belly coming apart, and ripped a little! Very disappointed and wishing I had not wasted the money as I will now have to go purchase her another one!

I purchased XL for a lanky deep-chested 90lb chocolate lab and L for a short 65lb black lab mix. Both were at the top end of the measurement for their size, but we got the L for the smaller one just in case. The smaller lab can wear the XL but she is a strong swimmer and it tends to keep her a little too high up in the water which interferes with her paddling. The handles hold firm when repeatedly hoisted up out of the water. The larger lab wears his twice a week for therapy, suspended in a pool by the handle. Sometimes he wears it so we can help him up and down from vehicles and stairs. It adjusts well to fit and does not bother his arthritic back or shoulders. His chest strap does tend to I purchased XL for a lanky deep-chested 90lb chocolate lab and L for a short 65lb black lab mix. Both were at the top end of the measurement for their size, but we got the L for the smaller one just in case. The smaller lab can wear the XL but she is a strong swimmer and it tends to keep her a little too high up in the water which interferes with her paddling. The handles hold firm when repeatedly hoisted up out of the water. The larger lab wears his twice a week for therapy, suspended in a pool by the handle. Sometimes he wears it so we can help him up and down from vehicles and stairs. It adjusts well to fit and does not bother his arthritic back or shoulders. His chest strap does tend to slip from the tugging during therapy and needs to be retightened every few sessions. The belly velcro is stretchy but secures firmly and cushions the belly straps well. They both can comfortably wear them for hours and do not shy away from them. All seams are intact. There is some wear on the handles but we are pretty rough on them. The instruction feels like a corrugated plastic shell surrounded with foam, so it is stiff and light and does not get water logged. We hang dry them overnight in the house and then store them in a swim bag. No smell or mold so far even when forgotten with wet towels for a time. The straps have velcro on the tails to keep them from dangling but they get loose occasionally. Definitely would recommend. … more

For the money, this doggie PFD is comparable to much more expensive options. I immediately put it to use, and the medium sized jacket fit my medium-sized dog perfectly. I did notice I had to run the neck loop looser to allow him free movement of his head- just be aware that head motion is part of swimming motion for your doggie. The handles are substantial, allowing me to not only easily pluck him from the water, but also to toss him in the water just for fun! He enjoyed it enough that he gets excited when we throw it in the truck :)

They serve it’s purpose..easy to get on and dogs seemed comfortable. We got the Large for our 2, 62lb female golden retrievers. They swim HARD and the handles on top ripped in the first hour of the first day they used them. Not quite sure how it happened but it was so fast. The bottom strap and velcro also ripped on day 2. Wouldn’t buy these again.

I have 2 labs! And these fit perfectly! Chocolate lab on the tall and long side about 100 pounds (XL) and a black shorter lab about 65 pounds (L). The chocolate lab even has more room to grow into! Highly recommend!

The flap that falls over the neck straps is too short. If you need to extend the neck Velcro and the straps it creates a gap that your dog head fall in and the flap then is pushing on the side of their jaw. The flap then floats and gets in the way of their vision.

Our 7 year old Min-Pin hates water and wants to stay on dry land so we bought her a life jacket just in case she leaps off the pontoon. She has adapted well to her Outward Hound "sea-ware" but still hates water not realizing it surrounds her but we feel she is safe. Ornery little hound!!

I measured my two dogs and both were in this measurement size, but too small for either. Recommend the Dawson swim over this one. Ordered Dawson for the other dog in the house who is smaller, and that fit perfectly on that dog! Do not recommend for bigger dogs as sizing seems off.

This is not for Pitbulls. The extra large measurements were supposed to be good. The vest covered his privates so he could pee or swim using his back legs.... The purpose of him swimming. The large was too tight on him.... The vest is also not like a human life vest , its more of flotation assistance, my dog couldn't keep his head out of the water without me holding him up.

I have a dog who loves the water but gets nervous while swimming if her head goes under. With this jacket she is so much more confident. It feels very well made, and the straps are thankfully very adjustable as her chest is usually too big for even the largest sizes.