[driftbuster53]

Does anyone use a brush vest on your bird dog to help with cuts and scrapes?

 

[SoYoCoTransplant]

I use an LCS Bird Dog Armor Protective Vest. I got him a small which he wore until he was about a year old and then bought him a Large. I tried other brands such as Browning and they were either too small (even the XL version) or they wore out in a week. The original Large I got him 2 seasons ago still works although its seen better days. I actually just ordered him a fresh one after my wife's insistence yesterday. Only costs $25 and it works swell with the Cordura brush guard. He has far less mess and scrapes than he would if he didn't have it. The only thing I noticed is even now with the Large he is so broad that it will rub around where his front legs meet his chest. No complaints though... http://www.lcsupply.com/LCS-Bird-Dog-Armor-Vest/productinfo/BDAV/

 

[SoYoCoTransplant]

Quick follow up.. my buddy's 4 month old is now wearing my pup's small vest, as it hasn't been worn in 3 years. The original large is slightly tattered and faded which is why my wife directed me to get him a fresh one. It still works awesome and has done a great job the last two weeks (season 3 with this vest).

 

[brittanyman]

LCS is a good vest and so is Sylmar vests. I just bought a green one for my second dog from Sylmar so I can tell the two apart in the field.

 

[R2D2]

The newer LCS vests are sturdier and hold up well. Other than abrasion prevention, the other advantage of a vest is that it covers hair. Hair that is covered by the vest can't pick up burrs so clean-up is easier.

 

[driftbuster53]

These vest look good, how hot do they get the dog and what temps do you not use them in? I got to run my dog for some youth hunters last saturday before lunch and it was real hot for the dogs then, i know they couldn't of worn vest.

 

[Uncle Nicky]

I use a Mendota Skid Plate. I like the fact that's open on the dog's back, and is fluorescent orange. I've had mine 2 years, it's rugged!

 

[SoYoCoTransplant]

My dog wears his regardless of temperatures when training or hunting no matter the temperatures I just make sure he is hydrated properly. On Saturday as the temps increased from 28 to mid 50s he drank almost 50 oz of water in a 3.5 HR period.

 

[SoYoCoTransplant]

Those Sylmar vests do look nice. However they are twice as expensive as the LCS vest.

 

[driftbuster53]

Yes i need to carry more water with me. I was looking at some different vest/skid plate styles but think i want some protection for the shoulders. Looks like LCS has a new version just as heavy as the Sylmar, both vest are nice.

 

[Draht.]

Do you guys have any issue with chafing in the armpit area with the vests.My Drahthaar is deep chested and chafing often occurs.

 

[peddle-paddle]

That happened with my lab and inquiry having her wear it. Really chafed her.

 

[R2D2]

Different dogs handle heat better than others. For the most part, my dogs don't see a vest until the temp stays under 50, at least. And in my experience, a dog that's drinking lots of water isn't doing so because he's thirsty, he's drinking lots of water in an attempt to cool down.
Last couple times out, all three dogs drank no more than a sip or two during a morning's hunt. Of course it started off frosty and then warmed up to the low fifties by the time we quit.
If the dog is hot, the more water the better but I always try to wet down their belly and armpits on a regular basis to help keep their temp down.
And know the dog. One of my three can't handle heat at all so he's always the first out of the box so he can run while it's still cool.

 

[RyanR]

Do you guys have any issue with chafing in the armpit area with the vests.My Drahthaar is deep chested and chafing often occurs.

Yes, it seemed to in the armpits area, plus my dog hated it anyway. That's why I'm looking for a vest that is more close-fitting and moves & stretches with the dog as it runs. Kinda think I found one but it's soft and I'm thinking if I can get the skid plate portion of the Bird Dog Armor vest sewn onto it that it will really work great. I mainly want the vest purely for visibility so I can see him on point in thick cover.

 

[cmrosko]

I've been running my dog with this vest mainly for repelling ticks and visibility.
It's made from ten mile cloth (I think it's an acrylic) which is fairly quiet, breathable and should be fairly durable though not as durable as cordura nylon would be. http://www.dognotgone.com/nfz-products/

 

[SoYoCoTransplant]

The LCS vest has always chaffed my dogs armpits. I've owned 3 of these vests now and they have always chaffed. It's an unfortunate but lesser evil to that of the dog tearing up their chest or potentially not being properly identified by careless hunters. So I'll continue to have Kai deal with the chaffing in lieu of a possible mistake by another hunter.

 

[flipper17]

LCS has their Armor Vest 2 on sale this weekend. Black Friday sale= $10 off.

 

[another_pilgrim]

Good luck keeping a vest with velcro straps on a dog. My dog went into a thicket with a vest like that and came out without it. I got a three buckle vest from Lion Country Supply for $10. I sprayed it with the "magic tick potion" so it protects the dog's belly and repels ticks. Very happy with it.

 

[wingshot]

My dogs almost always wear the vests from LCS, not the Velcro closure ones, the ones with the snap closures. I use them to help prevent injury from sticks, barb wire, etc. I've had dogs hurt by both without them, so it's cheap protection and might prevent an accident. Overheating, chafing, etc. has never been an issue for us.

 

[dap]

Does anyone use a brush vest on your bird dog to help with cuts and scrapes?

Seems like all of the responses so far have been from guys who do wear brush vests on their dogs.

I've never had a need to put a vest on any of my dogs. I don't know about the general population, but I spend a bit of time hunting with 4 other guys who spend a lot of time training and hunting their dogs. Between us all, I'm sure the dogs are hunting / training on wild birds over 1000 hours a year and none wear a brush vest.