Those who run their dogs for birds, the fields can be loaded with thorns, sharp stalks, etc.Do you put any type of vest on your dogs at all. Maple went through some thick chit today, practically bunny hopped through everything. Not even 6 mos yet, Maple did amazing, but not without some good scratches on her belly. She has minimal fur there, and maybe fur will come in with age, maybe not? Just wondering if you guys do anything, or shell be fine. Thanks -WS
No idea for protection that won't catch on the twigs and weeds while bunny hopping, but no harm pulling out any stickers that might be there, and smearing a thin coat neosporine on the scratches. Our brittanies had hair that picked up alot burrs. Our Viszla that does not hunt has a bare underside and still picks up stickers... We had a german shepard mix that was fawn colored, we zipped a blaze orange hunting vest on her when she was out during hunting season. Worked great for her, but she was not a hunter....
Thx for your input wildwest. Its a fine line trying to decide what to do. Her inner thighs on both sides are red and slightly inflamed. Will put some neosporine on them-great idea. Im hoping after the heavy frost over the next few days, the fields are a little more user friendly. I know any type of vest, although offering protection, may conflict with movement and get snagged up on stuff.....
I have these for warm weather Mendota Skid Plate - Orange. $36.95 (Save $3.04) And these for cold weather Dokken Supervest Xtreme Camo Neoprene Dog Vest. $29.95 (Save $3.00) I tried the thicker neoprene vest from Avery, but could not get a good fit although my hounds have deep narrow chests, may be different for a Chessie. Good fit is vital as you already realize both for the dogs movement and so they don't get hung up by snagging on something. I had one dog in a vest instead of a collar because of a skin infection on her collar line. She ended up getting snagged on something and panicking, pulled her leg out through the vest. By the time she got back to me and I saw it she had rubbed through her skin and opened up a pretty serious wound.
Thanks DaveGunter! Good website providing good sizing charts. Chessies have large broad chests (believe it or not to break ice) she's roughly 45 +/- with up to another 30lb to go. Anything i would consider purchasing would be something adjustable perhaps. Chessies are built for the cold temps.
One of my neighbors have a chocolate Chessie, nice dogs. They got her around the same time I got Oliver! Watching them play together convinced me I needed a second dog, it just kept going after that. On the vests for protection, I wouldn't discount their importance, one sharp stick at the wrong angle can do a lot of damage especially in a high drive hunting dog. Sounds like Maple is a bunch of fun, nothing better than seeing your dog do what it was bred to do...pure joy for both.
I used the Mendota skid plate on Rosie after whelping pups and it worked great. I still run her with it sometimes. I won't use it if there is a chance of shooting birds over water though, for fear she'll get hung up on something.
Whenever your dog comes into heat, keep her locked up by herself until she is not in heat. Best belly protection you can get!
@DaveGunter,JRSDWS, & Horkn The under belly skid plate, just confirming in the pictures on the website, it offers some chest protection, belly, on back to genitals. She is getting cuts on the creases of her inner rear leg pretty good. Is there any way to bring it back a little?
No genital area protection, at least not how it fits on my hounds, pretty much rib cage and that's it.
DaveGunter thanks so much for having a model for me! Im gonna go ahead and order one and have it delivered 2nd day For the pheasant opener this Saturday. I measured Maple and it looks like a medium will work, with room to grow.
Yeah...no protection past about the rib cage. I can't think of anything you can do for that area. If it's not slowing her down....I'd keep treating the area and hunt the heck out of her. Just be sure to keep them from getting bad enough to become infected.
Awesome stuff for open wounds as it creates a sort of "scab" on it. I always have this on hand. For the redness in the picture I'd probably just try some bag balm or neosporin. It just looks kinda like a rash. Here's another one I keep on hand and use often: Farnam Wound-Kote Blue Lotion Spray Wound Dressing, 5 oz. - For Life Out Here
