Gun Dog Forum

http://www.backcountry.com/store/RUF003 ... -Vest.html

Anyone ever seen or used one of these? What do you think? Useful after a hot hunt when there's no bodies of water available or another way to waste your money? All the Ruffwear stuff seems pretty expensive, good thing I'm not in the market to purchase any. Just came across it....

I think for $50 you could make a water container out of 6" PVC that will tuck underneath the rails of your truck bed. Slope it to the rear of the truck and put a 90 on the end with a screw on cap. This way you can load it full of ice and fill it with water.

I have seen a few of them and they look pretty handy. With a tap in the other end and a 6' piece of hose you can soak a dog down with ice water or give them a drink. Not to mention its just water from the tap so you would always have ice water at your disposal.

Looks counterproductive to me.

Rick Hall wrote:Looks counterproductive to me.

Rick, I'm interested in hearing why, because the cooling part would be on the dog's back rather than the chest? Not that I'm interested in the product, just curious..

Kevin

A dogs coat keep hem cool as well as warm. Putting a canvas coat on them would be fine for the few minutes the ice lasts. But you are also adding weight for th dog to carry so it is going to br generating more heat because of the greater workload it is carring. I hink the dog will be fine if you are and if its too hot for the dog then it should be laying in the shade with its head on your lap while you complain about the heat.

Ezzy

good points ezzy, thanks

Thanks all for your thoughts. I wasn't looking to buy it... but wondered about its effectiveness.

I agree with Ezzy. I don't think the cool penetrates the coat especially on a long coated dog, however it would add weight.

This is coming from a Ruff wear retailer - Don't tell them.

ezzy333 wrote:A dogs coat keep hem cool as well as warm. Putting a canvas coat on them would be fine for the few minutes the ice lasts. But you are also adding weight for th dog to carry so it is going to br generating more heat because of the greater workload it is carring. I hink the dog will be fine if you are and if its too hot for the dog then it should be laying in the shade with its head on your lap while you complain about the heat.

Ezzy

My old handcrew boss a few years back use to scowl at guys drinking cold water during breaks from digging line. We'd be on a type II fire all day and he always went for his hip bottle. Said it burns more calories to bring the cold water up to body temperature to be absorbed. "Your workin harder than you think dummy."